Staff Data Engineer

Onward Search is a specialized staffing and talent solutions company that helps professionals find top jobs with the nation’s leading brands. We’re looking to hire a Staff Data Engineer for a leading video game company. Join a dynamic, mission-driven team that thrives on innovation and collaboration.

You’ll join the Data Engineering team to drive the architecture and development of robust, scalable data platforms supporting analytics, modeling, and operational excellence. This is a long-term contract opportunity. The role is located in Los Angeles, CA, and is hybrid.

Staff Data Engineer Responsibilities:

• Define and lead cross-team data engineering initiatives aligned to business goals.

• Architect and implement scalable data systems and reusable data marts for analytics and predictive modeling.

• Design, build, and optimize data pipelines and telemetry systems.

• Apply industry best practices for data modeling (Kimball/Inmon methodologies).

• Collaborate with data science, analytics, and game development teams to deliver high-impact datasets.

• Lead technical design reviews, trade-off discussions, and architectural decisions.

• Champion data governance, quality, and operational excellence, ensuring SLA/SLO adherence.

• Implement monitoring and alerting for data pipeline reliability and observability.

Staff Data Engineer Requirements:

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering or architecture.

• Expertise in Python, SQL, Spark, DBT, Airflow, and Databricks.

• Strong experience with AWS and/or GCP (e.g., Redshift, BigQuery).

• Mastery in data modeling and scalable schema design.

• Proven track record leading cross-functional technical efforts.

• Effective communicator with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Familiar with dashboarding platforms like Looker, Tableau, Power BI.

• Experience implementing data governance and documentation using modern cataloging tools.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience designing telemetry systems for game analytics.

• Familiarity with JVM-based tools like Kafka or Flink.

• Experience evaluating data tooling across business units.

• Contributions to data reliability, CI/CD, and testing in data engineering.

• Experience influencing business-unit level data strategies.

Perks & Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• 401k Program

• Commuter Benefit

• eLearning

• Education Reimbursement

• Ongoing Training & Development

To qualify for our benefits package, you must work over 30 hours per week and the length of assignment must be a minimum of 10 weeks.

Employer Details:

• Onward Search is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in an employment with regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state and local laws and ordinances. Candidates must be at least 18 years old to be considered for employment. EOE/M/F/D/V/SO.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• Onward Search is unable to support 1099 / Corp-to-Corp or Independent Contractor arrangements at this time. All freelancers will be paid as W2 employees.
• Onward Search offers medical, dental, vision benefits, as well as a 401k program, for all eligible full time temporary assignments.
• Onward Search is a drug-free workplace.
• Onward Search is a nationwide staffing agency and talent solutions provider specializing in creative, marketing and technology. Our clients are continuously turning to us to fill their open positions. Therefore, there is no application deadline for this position, as we are seeking candidates for this type of role across all our clients on an ongoing basis.