Lead Data Engineer

About the Position

We are seeking a visionary and experienced Lead Data Engineer to join our Data Engineering team in Bulgaria.

In this role, you will lead a Platform Team, driving the design, development, and scaling of data pipelines in Databricks with PySpark on Microsoft Azure for our AI Factory team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our data platforms, influence technical strategy, and mentor a talented team, all while working at the forefront of big data and cloud engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and architecture of cloud-native analytical solutions using Big Data and NoSQL technologies
• Oversee the development and optimization of scalable data pipelines in Databricks with PySpark on Azure
• Own the strategy for building and maintaining data lakes and warehouses, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability
• Define and implement ETL/ELT workflows and best practices for data collection, cleaning, and structuring
• Establish and enforce data quality, lineage, and monitoring frameworks across the team
• Collaborate closely with ML, analytics, and business teams to deliver production-ready datasets and solutions
• Conduct and lead code reviews, setting technical standards and fostering best practices
• Mentor and coach data engineers, cultivating a high-performance and collaborative team culture
• Champion CI/CD methodologies in data engineering workflows using tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI/CD
• Drive requirements gathering and solution alignment with architects, technical leads, and cross-functional teams
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to understand business processes, model input data, and ensure deliverable alignment with strategic goals

Requirements

• 6+ years of experience in Data Engineering or a related field, with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role
• Deep proficiency in Python and PySpark
• Extensive hands-on experience with Databricks and Microsoft Azure cloud services
• Strong background in software version control tools (e.g., GitHub, Git)
• Proven track record with CI/CD frameworks such as Jenkins, Concourse, or GitLab CI/CD
• Demonstrated expertise in architecting and building scalable, robust, and highly available data solutions
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience in mentoring and leading engineering teams

Nice to Have

• Experience with additional programming languages such as Java, SQL, or Scala
• Knowledge of SAP BTP or similar enterprise data platforms
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies
• Experience in strategic planning and technical roadmap development

We Offer

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in big data and cloud engineering
• Be part of a visionary team shaping the future of data platforms
• Collaborative and high-performance work environment
• Professional growth and development opportunities

About the Company

EPAM Systems is a global software engineering and product development company, delivering digital transformation and technology innovation to the world’s leading companies.