Senior Data Engineer (GCP Python Iceberg Delta Lake Kafka Snowflake Databricks)

Railroad19, Inc is seeking a Senior Data Engineer with deep, hands-on experience in building modern lakehouse architectures on GCP. This role focuses on designing, developing in Python & Spark, and delivering reusable data-sharing adapters that connect BigQuery-backed data products to Snowflake and Databricks using Iceberg UniForm and Delta Sharing.

About Railroad19:

At Railroad19, Inc, we develop customized software solutions and provide software development services. We’re a specialized team of developers and architects. As such, we only bring an “A” team to the table, through hard work and a desire to lead the industry - this is our company culture - this is what sets Railroad19 apart.

As a Railroad19 employee, you will be part of a company that values your work and gives you the tools you need to succeed. Our headquarters is in Saratoga Springs, New York, but this position is 100% remote. Railroad19 provides competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including Medical/Dental/Vision/Pet Insurance, Paid Time Off, and 401 (k).

NO 1099, C2C, Corp-to-Corp; only full-time employment.

NO Agencies.

Core Responsibilities:

• Design and implement the UniForm write layer (Delta + Iceberg dual metadata).
• Build GCS → BigQuery ingestion pipelines for structured operational datasets.
• Develop and implement in Python and Spark.
• Implement Kafka-based CDC patterns for real-time and near-real-time ingestion.
• Develop data lineage, dependency tracking, and modular adapter code.
• Configure Snowflake Horizon external tables for zero-copy reads.
• All data hub tables are to be written once using Delta Lake with Iceberg UniForm enabled… readable by all target consumers without conversion.
• Implement and certify Delta Sharing endpoints for Databricks consumers.
• Build governed access layer components: RBAC, connector registry entries, tenant-scoped authorization.
• Align semantic layer models with LookML and KPI catalog definitions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end features.
• Troubleshoot issues across the full stack and contribute to code quality.

Skills/Experience:

• 6+ years of proven enterprise-level experience in Python & Spark
• Advanced experience in GCP BigQuery
• Strong working knowledge of Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, Iceberg UniForm
• Experience with Delta Sharing; Kafka / CDC pipelines
• Specific work experience in Snowflake Horizon Catalog; Databricks Unity Catalog
• Solid experience with Data lake architecture & ingestion pipeline design
• Excellent Communication skills and the ability to work cohesively with multiple teams.

Preferred Experience - Nice to Have

• Prior delivery in enterprise SaaS, media, or advertising technology.
• Active daily use of AI-assisted development tools (Claude Code preferred).