Principal Data Engineer

As a Principal Data Engineer based in our Bengaluru office, you are a high-performing and influential individual contributor interfacing with engineering and product leadership on discovery and delivery work. Focused on enabling teams to deliver reliable, scalable and commercially viable software that balances speed to market, business need, quality and craft. Has deep functional knowledge of data best practices. Comfortable scoping complex initiatives and tasks focused on data and guiding data engineers and generalist software engineers on how to solve these technical problems. Influences engineering culture and outcomes with exemplary working behaviour, collaboration, data engineering and technology practices. Acts as an escalation point for senior data engineers on complex day-to-day engineering tasks where needed.

Responsibilities:

• Works closely with stakeholders, including Engineering and Product Management, to assist with data-related needs.
• Supports Senior Principal Engineers in data architecture, design and implementation, driving alignment and adoption across engineering.
• Designs for performance, security, durability and scalability of data models, with version changes.
• Championing good data engineering choices and practices aligned with the wider Serko Engineering standards and practices.
• Advises on any data design's technical limitations and provides alternative solutions aligned with the broader data strategy and approach outlined by Snr Principal Engineers and Architects.
• Leads the development of proof-of-concept projects to validate new data models and data solutions.
• Works with Platform, Security, Engineering and Architecture teams to design, implement, and enhance our data platforms.
• Mentoring and coaching other data engineers (senior and rising talent engineers) to help them further develop their technical and business-influencing skills.
• Assemble large, complex data sets that meet functional / non-functional business requirements.
• Be a champion of Engineering standards and Serko's sensible conventions, drive alignment and consistency on data engineering approaches and techniques.
• Be an active participant in the communities of practice in Engineering.
• Contribute to a learning culture, continuously improving our craft, and role-modelling the right technical and behaviour capabilities.

Requirements:

• Strong hands-on experience in modern technologies relevant to your stream (e. g., Java, Kotlin or NET).
• A solid grasp of software architecture, system design, and performance considerations in production environments.
• Demonstrated experience solving complex engineering challenges in a collaborative, team-based setup.
• A pragmatic approach to problem-solving, balancing short-term needs with long-term scalability and maintainability
• Clear, effective communication skills and a collaborative working style
• Experience mentoring or guiding engineers through design and development
• Familiarity with agile software development and CI/CD practices.
• A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent practical experience.