About the role
Join the ECI Group's Professional Technical Services Network as a contract Principal Data Engineer. This is a Houston TX based contract role with an anticipated 7-month duration with an estimated start date of October 5, 2026. Note: You must be a US Citizen or Permanent US Resident to qualify for this position.
About the Role We are seeking a visionary Principal Data Engineer to lead the delivery of innovative data analytics solutions, with a focus on technical excellence, governance, and operational performance in a high-volume data environment. This role involves strategic and technical leadership in building Azure-based data lake solutions, driving maturity in data management, and engaging with cross-functional teams to leverage data for organizational success. Key Responsibilities: * Architect, design, and implement scalable Azure-based data lake solutions. * Establish roadmaps for capability-building across technologies such as Qlik Replicate, Databricks Delta Live Tables, and Unity Catalog. * Provide technical leadership, ensuring adherence to best practices and quality standards. * Lead the development of data transformation pipelines using Databricks Delta Live Tables and Structured Streaming. * Optimize Databricks resources for high-volume data processing without exceeding budget. * Oversee the use of Databricks Unity Catalog for data governance, lineage, and metadata management. * Develop and enforce robust data governance policies, ensuring compliance, security, and data quality. * Monitor data pipeline performance and proactively resolve production issues. * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align project objectives with business goals. * Translate technical challenges into actionable insights for executive teams. * Mentor and develop a high-performing team skilled in Azure, Databricks, and data streaming technologies. * Facilitate knowledge transfer sessions to empower internal teams with cutting-edge methodologies.
Education and Experience: * Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in IT or a related discipline.
* 15-17 years of experience in the IT industry with expertise in delivering cost-effective cloud-based data analytics solutions. * Proven track record in building data lake architectures and optimizing performance in big data environments. * Certification in Azure Data Engineering or Databricks (preferred).
Technical Skills: * Strong knowledge of Azure technologies, including ADF, ADLS, Databricks, Stream Analytics, Delta Live Tables, and Synapse Analytics.
* Advanced proficiency in SQL and programming languages such as Python, Scala, or Spark-SQL. * Experience in designing and developing scalable ETL pipelines and optimizing data workflows. * Deep understanding of data migration from on-premises to cloud, cloud to cloud.
Leadership and Soft Skills: * Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage end-to-end analytics projects. * Exceptional communication and collaboration skills for engaging executives and stakeholders. * Strong sense of ownership, accountability, adaptability, and commitment to results. * Expertise in identifying risks and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
Nice to Have: * Familiarity with big data tools like Hadoop, Kafka, and Spark.
* Experience with visualization tools such as PowerBI or QlikSense. * Knowledge of AI/ML, NLP, and GenAI concepts. * Familiarity with AGILE and KANBAN methodologies.
Portfolio: Shell IDT/Downstream & Renewables IDT/Trading & Supply/TS - Crude & Products/TS - Products/TS - Products Investments Program: Project: T&S Future Freight Platform – Jigsaw Description: Build a new Freight Platform (replacing RADAR) to serve the freight business and its customers. This includes a new industry standard Voyage Management System (VIP) alongside other components to close capability gaps. Optimize business processes and define master data maintenance processes. The overall Freight Platform will serve as a hub to facilitate seamless integration of necessary data, supporting an ecosystem of IT tools that are aligned with Shell's business growth roadmap. Freight Platform Project will begin a detailed design phase through Stage Gate 2 to accomplish the following: * * An approved (Solution Architecture) that provides a solution for Industry standard Voyage Management System (VIP) alongside other IT components to close capability gaps - identified during the Study Phase * Optimize business processes and define master data maintenance processes * Establish how well the platform can meet the needs for capturing Freight exposure management across the house, with the potential to use existing ETRMs for this if required, * What IMOS reporting capability to utilise and avoid paying for functionality in IMOS we don't need and can do internally in a cost-efficient manner, * Identify MI data use-cases that provide Shell a competitive edge and develop them in-house e.g. with Qliksense offering-up alternate solutions for exposure reporting, VaR, Carbon Emissions reporting. * Identify a middleware integration solution to replace Mulesoft to tie Shell systems to VESON VIP * Develop a data platform solution to ingest, host and distribute data between multiple integration points
Business Application: RADAR Bulk Upload, RADAR Mail, RADAR-SAFE, RadarMsgServer, RADAR_app, VESON VIP T&S Pr| Data Modelling, Data Engineering, Data Integration
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