Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer / Data Architect – Innovation & POC Lead (Exton PA)
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer / Data Architect – Innovation & POC Lead to serve as the onsite subject matter expert for Data Engineering and Data Architecture. The role will be responsible for driving technology innovation, technical discovery, Proofs of Concept (POCs), pilot implementations, feature evaluations, and strategic architecture recommendations across the enterprise data landscape.
The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of experience in Data Engineering and Data Architecture, with strong expertise in Snowflake, Informatica, and Oracle. This position requires a strong understanding of enterprise-scale data platforms and integration solutions, combined with the ability to independently evaluate emerging technologies and translate technical findings into actionable recommendations.
This is primarily an architecture, innovation, technology evaluation, and advisory role. It is not intended for routine day-to-day development activities.
Key Responsibilities
Data Engineering & Architecture Leadership

• Act as the onsite SME and technical lead for Data Engineering and Data Architecture.
• Provide architecture guidance and technical leadership for enterprise data platforms and integration solutions.
• Design and evaluate scalable, reliable, secure, and high-performance data architecture solutions.
• Provide strategic recommendations aligned with enterprise technology and business objectives.
• Review existing data architecture and identify opportunities for modernization, optimization, and improvement.
• Support technical decision-making related to data platforms, integration technologies, and architecture patterns.

Innovation & Technology Discovery

• Lead technology discovery and innovation initiatives across the enterprise data ecosystem.
• Research and evaluate emerging data technologies, products, features, and platform capabilities.
• Stay current with industry trends, technology developments, product roadmaps, and new platform enhancements.
• Identify technologies and capabilities that can improve scalability, performance, efficiency, reliability, and business value.
• Assess the technical feasibility, benefits, limitations, risks, and potential enterprise impact of new technologies.
• Provide recommendations on technology adoption, modernization, and platform evolution.

Proof of Concepts & Pilot Implementations

• Independently lead Proofs of Concept (POCs) to evaluate new technologies and solutions.
• Define POC objectives, technical requirements, evaluation criteria, and expected outcomes.
• Design and coordinate pilot implementations to validate technology capabilities and integration patterns.
• Develop technical prototypes or coordinate prototype development where required to demonstrate feasibility.
• Conduct feature evaluations and comparative technology assessments.
• Analyze POC and pilot results and document findings, technical gaps, risks, and recommendations.
• Present POC outcomes and technology recommendations to technical and business stakeholders.
• Support transition of successful POCs toward enterprise adoption when appropriate.

Data Platform & Technology Evaluation

• Evaluate solutions involving Snowflake, Informatica, Oracle, and related data technologies.
• Assess platform capabilities, architecture patterns, integration approaches, scalability, performance, and operational considerations.
• Compare alternative technologies and solutions based on technical fit, scalability, maintainability, performance, cost considerations, and business value.
• Identify opportunities to optimize existing data platforms and integration capabilities.
• Work with technology vendors and internal teams when required to understand product capabilities, roadmaps, and future enhancements.

Stakeholder & Technical Advisory

• Partner with engineering, architecture, technology, business, and other stakeholder teams to understand requirements and technical challenges.
• Translate business and technical requirements into architecture and technology recommendations.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Prepare and deliver architecture presentations, technology assessments, POC demonstrations, and recommendations.
• Provide objective technical guidance to support strategic technology decisions.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and act as a trusted technical advisor.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of professional experience in Data Engineering, Data Architecture, or closely related data technology roles.
• Strong expertise in:
  • Snowflake
  • Informatica
  • Oracle
• Proven experience designing and evaluating enterprise-scale data platforms and data integration solutions.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, data engineering, ETL/ELT, data integration, and modern data platform concepts.
• Proven experience independently driving technical discovery, technology evaluations, POCs, and pilot initiatives.
• Experience evaluating new technologies, platform features, products, and emerging capabilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess technical feasibility and business value.
• Experience providing architecture guidance and strategic technology recommendations.
• Ability to assess scalability, performance, reliability, integration, maintainability, and overall technology fit.
• Strong experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to work independently and operate effectively as a senior technical SME.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modern cloud data platforms and data ecosystems.
• Experience with enterprise data modernization and platform transformation initiatives.
• Experience working with technology vendors and evaluating vendor products.
• Experience developing technical prototypes to validate new technologies.
• Strong understanding of emerging trends in data engineering, data platforms, cloud data architecture, and integration technologies.
• Experience working in large, complex enterprise environments.