Senior Data Engineer (GCP • Python • Iceberg • Delta Lake • Kafka • Snowflake • Databricks)

Railroad19 develops customized software solutions and provides software development services. The company is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design and build modern GCP lakehouse architectures, data ingestion pipelines, and reusable data-sharing adapters connecting BigQuery data products with Snowflake and Databricks. The role also involves implementing governance, lineage, real-time data ingestion, and end-to-end data engineering features.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the UniForm write layer (Delta + Iceberg dual metadata)
• Build GCS → BigQuery ingestion pipelines for structured operational datasets
• Develop and implement in Python and Spark
• Implement Kafka-based CDC patterns for real-time and near-real-time ingestion
• Develop data lineage, dependency tracking, and modular adapter code
• Configure Snowflake Horizon external tables for zero-copy reads
• All data hub tables are to be written once using Delta Lake with Iceberg UniForm enabled… readable by all target consumers without conversion
• Implement and certify Delta Sharing endpoints for Databricks consumers
• Build governed access layer components: RBAC, connector registry entries, tenant-scoped authorization
• Align semantic layer models with LookML and KPI catalog definitions
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver end‑to‑end features
• Troubleshoot issues across the full stack and contribute to code quality

Requirements:

• 6+ years of proven enterprise-level experience in Python & Spark
• Advanced experience in GCP BigQuery
• Strong working knowledge of Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, Iceberg UniForm
• Experience with Delta Sharing; Kafka / CDC pipelines
• Specific work experience in Snowflake Horizon Catalog; Databricks Unity Catalog
• Solid experience with Data lake architecture & ingestion pipeline design
• Excellent Communication skills and the ability to work cohesively with multiple teams
• Prior delivery in enterprise SaaS, media, or advertising technology
• Active daily use of AI-assisted development tools (Claude Code preferred)