Data Engineering Tech Lead

RESPONSIBILITIES: A Kforce client has an exciting Data Engineering Technical Lead opportunity. This is a contract role that will be onsite 5 days/week in either the Manhattan, NY or San Antonio, TX office. Overview: We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Engineer/Technical Lead with deep P&C insurance domain expertise and hands-on experience building modern data pipelines. This role serves as a techno-functional leader, bridging business domain understanding with technical execution across ETL, cloud data platforms, and data engineering best practices. You will partner closely with data engineers, offshore/onshore teams, and technical leaders to design and build robust pipelines, support data quality initiatives, and contribute to multiple data-driven projects. This is not a pure developer role - it requires someone who can connect the dots, lead technically, and guide development efforts. Key Responsibilities: • Serve as technical lead across multiple data engineering initiatives within the Group Enterprise Data organization • Design, architect, and build ETL/ELT pipelines from scratch using Snowflake, Talend, Python, SQL, and AWS technologies • Leverage deep P&C insurance knowledge (claims & policy lifecycle, specialty lines) to ensure data quality, reconciliation, and domain accuracy • Support and guide a large, distributed team with technical leadership and direction • Participate in cloud and data platform modernization projects • Ensure pipeline designs are scalable, reliable, and built for robust data validation and discrepancy detection • Provide CI/CD expertise, assisting in environment setup, best practices, and deployment workflows • Collaborate with BI, ABAP, engineering, QA, and product stakeholders to implement and produce data solutions • Work across a variety of projects, joining existing initiatives based on priority and timing REQUIREMENTS: Domain Expertise (Non-Negotiable): • 8+ years of P&C insurance experience, including strong understanding of claims, policies, underwriting data, exposures, accounting impacts, etc. • Specialty lines experience strongly preferred Technical Requirements: • 6-10 years of experience as a Data Engineer or Data Warehouse Engineer Strong expertise in: • Snowflake (primary data platform) • Talend (ETL/ELT development) • AWS Cloud (EC2, S3, Lambda, Glue, IAM preferred) • Python for transformation/orchestration • Advanced SQL across cloud and warehouse environments • Data warehousing and modern data lake concepts • Data pipelines/orchestration tools (Airflow, Talend, Step Functions, etc.) • Experience designing pipelines from scratch and enhancing existing processes • Exposure to cloud migration projects preferred (Azure, Snowflake is a plus) Preferred Skills: • Experience with data quality frameworks, reconciliation patterns, and automated validation • Experience contributing to CI/CD implementation (GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, CodePipeline, etc.) • Ability to work independently in a consulting-style role with minimal direction • Strong communication skills with ability to explain complex concepts to technical & non-technical stakeholders Soft Skills: • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to -connect the dots- across domain and technical environments • Comfortable operating as a techno-functional hybrid; Not a pure developer, not a pure analyst • Highly collaborative, with the ability to integrate quickly into an established, high-performing team • Ability to lead by influence rather than authority The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave. Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law. This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions. 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