Senior GCP Data Engineer (contract)

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Engineer to lead the architectural design and hands-on implementation of our next-generation data platform on Cloud Platform (GCP). The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert in BigQuery and possesses deep experience building robust, scalable data pipelines using Dataform, Dataflow, and Dataproc. In this role, you will bridge the gap between high-level architectural strategy and technical execution, ensuring our data ecosystem is performant, cost-effective, and capable of supporting advanced analytics and machine learning initiatives. Key Responsibilities Architectural Design & Leadership • Design and implement end-to-end data architectures on GCP, ensuring high availability, security, and scalability. • Establish best practices for data modeling (Medallion architecture, Star Schema) specifically optimized for BigQuery's columnar storage. • Evaluate emerging GCP technologies and provide strategic recommendations for platform evolution. • Mentor junior engineers and conduct rigorous code reviews to maintain high engineering standards. Data Pipeline Engineering • Develop complex ELT workflows using Dataform to manage SQL-based transformations, ensuring data lineage and quality through automated testing. • Build and maintain large-scale batch and streaming data processing pipelines using Dataflow (Apache Beam). • Preferred to have Dataproc knowledge for distributed processing of massive datasets using Spark or Hadoop where specialized compute is required. • Integrate data from various sources (SaaS APIs, RDBMS, NoSQL) into the central BigQuery data warehouse. Performance & Governance • Optimize BigQuery performance through partitioning, clustering, and materialized views while managing cost through efficient slot utilization. • Implement CI/CD pipelines for data infrastructure and code deployments using Cloud Build or similar tools. • Ensure data governance standards are met by implementing Identity and Access Management (IAM), data masking, and encryption. Technical Requirements • Data Warehousing Advanced BigQuery (Storage optimization, BQML, Analytics Functions) • Transformation Expert-level Dataform (SQLX, JavaScript, Project Configuration), understand Cortex CDC and Merge logical code logic and flow • Stream & Batch Hands-on Dataflow (Apache Beam in Java or Python) • Big Data Compute Dataproc (Spark, Hive, Hadoop ecosystem) • Programming Proficiency in Python, Java, or Go; Expert SQL skills • Orchestration Dataform code generation and custom namespace configuration. Cloud Composer (Airflow) or Vertex AI Pipelines • Infrastructure Terraform for GCP Resource Provisioning (IaC) Qualifications • Experience: data engineering, with at least 3 years focused heavily on Cloud Platform. • Architecture: Proven track record of designing data platforms from the ground up that support both BI and Data Science workloads. • Hands-on Skills: Ability to write clean, maintainable, and production-ready code. • Soft Skills: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Certifications • Professional Data Engineer • Professional Cloud Architect • Knowledge of SAP Data model and SAP HANA required / preferred. The pay range that the employer in good faith reasonably expects to pay for this position is $49.83/hour - $77.86/hour. Our offered benefits include medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Tundra Technical Solutions is among North America’s leading providers of Staffing and Consulting Services. Our success and our clients’ success are built on a foundation of service excellence. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other applicable legally protected characteristic. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Unincorporated LA County workers: we reasonably believe that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment: client provided property, including hardware (both of which may include data) entrusted to you from theft, loss or damage; return all portable client computer hardware in your possession (including the data contained therein) upon completion of the assignment, and; maintain the confidentiality of client proprietary, confidential, or non-public information. In addition, job duties require access to secure and protected client information technology systems and related data security obligations.