Data Engineer

About the ClientPosition: Data Engineering LeadLocation: Sharjah, UAE (hybrid)Employment Type: Full-timeExperience Level: Senior-level ⸻ About the ClientOur client is a well-established banking firm located in Sharjah, UAE. They offer a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services—ranging from retail and corporate banking to wealth management—supported by a commitment to innovation, customer centricity, and regional growth. Operating in a dynamic UAE market, the firm emphasizes reliability, tailored financial solutions, and robust regulatory compliance to support both local clients and expanding business enterprises. About the RoleThis senior-level Data Engineer position is responsible for architecting, developing, and optimizing robust data infrastructure to support the complex analytical and operational needs of a leading banking institution. The role focuses on designing scalable systems for collecting, storing, and processing large volumes of sensitive financial data, ensuring data integrity, security, and compliance with industry regulations. As a full-time hybrid position, this role combines on-site collaboration with remote flexibility, offering opportunities to work closely with cross-functional teams in a dynamic banking environment.Key ResponsibilitiesArchitect, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines and ETL processes to ingest, transform, and load large volumes of structured and unstructured banking data from diverse sources.Design and implement data models, data warehouses, and data lakes optimized for analytics, reporting, and regulatory compliance within the financial sector.Ensure data quality, consistency, and integrity through the implementation of robust validation, monitoring, and error-handling mechanisms.Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to understand data requirements and deliver solutions that enable advanced analytics, machine learning, and business intelligence initiatives.Implement and enforce data security measures, including encryption, access controls, and auditing, in alignment with banking industry standards and regulatory requirements.Optimize data storage and processing performance, leveraging distributed computing frameworks and cloud-based solutions as appropriate.Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for data architecture, data flows, and technical specifications to support ongoing maintenance and knowledge sharing.Monitor, troubleshoot, and resolve issues in data infrastructure, ensuring high availability and reliability of mission-critical banking systems.Participate in code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to the establishment of best practices in data engineering within the team.Stay current with emerging technologies, tools, and trends in data engineering and the financial services industry, recommending improvements and innovations as appropriate.Required Experience & SkillsExtensive experience (typically 5+ years) in data engineering roles, with a proven track record of designing and maintaining large-scale data systems in highly regulated environments, preferably within banking or financial services.Advanced proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language commonly used in data engineering, such as Python or Scala, for building data pipelines and automation scripts.Deep understanding of data modeling, data warehousing concepts, and experience with platforms such as Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, or similar.Hands-on experience with ETL tools (e.g., Apache Airflow, Talend, Informatica) and orchestration of complex data workflows.Strong knowledge of distributed data processing frameworks such as Apache Spark, Hadoop, or similar technologies.Familiarity with cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and hybrid cloud architectures, including data migration and integration strategies.Expertise in implementing data security, privacy, and compliance controls, with knowledge of relevant banking regulations (e.g., GDPR, PCI DSS, local UAE data laws).Proficiency in version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines for data engineering projects.Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in cross-functional teams.Strong communication skills for translating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and documenting complex systems.QualificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.Professional certifications in data engineering, cloud platforms, or relevant technologies (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Professional Data Engineer) are highly advantageous.Demonstrated experience in the banking or financial services sector is strongly preferred.Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment.Tools & TechnologiesProgramming Languages: Python, SQL, ScalaData Processing: Apache Spark, Hadoop, Apache BeamETL & Orchestration: Apache Airflow, Talend, InformaticaData Warehousing: Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQueryCloud Platforms: AWS (S3, Glue, Redshift), Azure (Data Lake, Synapse), Google Cloud Platform (BigQuery, Dataflow)Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, MongoDBVersion Control & CI/CD: Git, Jenkins, GitLab CIMonitoring & Logging: Prometheus, Grafana, ELK StackSecurity & Compliance: Encryption tools, IAM, data masking, auditing solutions This position offers the opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the data infrastructure of a major banking institution, directly impacting data-driven decision-making and regulatory compliance. The role provides exposure to cutting-edge technologies and complex financial data challenges, supporting both personal growth and organizational success in a highly dynamic and secure environment. By applying to this position, you are granting us permission to process your CV and keep your profile on file for consideration for this and future opportunities.