Staff Data Engineer (contract)

The Senior Staff Data Engineer – API Developer is a hands-on technical leader responsible for designing, building, and operating scalable, cloud-native data and API solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). This role partners closely with data engineers, architects, scientists, and business stakeholders to deliver secure, high-performing data platforms that enable analytics, self-service insights, and AI/ML use cases. This position requires strong technical expertise, independent problem-solving, and the ability to mentor others while setting engineering standards. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces collaboration, and continuously adopts evolving cloud technologies and best practices. Key Responsibilities • Design, build, and maintain scalable GCP-based data platforms, pipelines, and APIs • Translate business requirements into robust, future-ready technical solutions • Develop high-quality, reusable APIs that accelerate time-to-insight • Establish and promote best practices for API development, CI/CD, testing, observability, and security • Implement automated workflows to reduce operational effort and meet SLAs • Lead solution design, data architecture discussions, and technical decision-making • Mentor and coach engineers while fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented team culture • Contribute to the broader data engineering community by promoting standards and innovation Required Qualifications Experience & Education • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field (Master’s preferred) or equivalent experience • 10+ years of IT experience • 5+ years of Data Engineering experience • 3+ years of API development experience Technical Skills • Strong expertise in GCP data and API architectures • Hands-on experience with BigQuery, Cloud Run, GKE, Cloud Functions, Bigtable, Cloud SQL/Spanner, CI/CD, and Cloud Logging • API development experience using Apigee and Python (FastAPI preferred) • Proficiency in Python, Java, or Scala • Experience with SQL and data formats (JSON, Avro, Parquet) • Familiarity with streaming technologies (Kafka, Spark Streaming) • Strong Git/GitHub and CI/CD automation skills • GCP Professional Data Engineer certification preferred Core Competencies • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills • Ability to design scalable, secure, and automated solutions • Excellent communication and collaboration skills • Agile mindset with experience mentoring engineers • Self-directed, growth-oriented, and adaptable to change The pay range that the employer in good faith reasonably expects to pay for this position is $42.35/hour - $66.18/hour. Our 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.