Lead Data Engineer – Big Data & Cloud Solutions at arenaflex – $24/hr – No Experience Required – Full‑Time (San Francisco)

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a global leader in entertainment‑driven digital experiences, delivering cutting‑edge web‑based features that power some of the world’s most beloved brands. With a heritage of innovation and a forward‑thinking culture, arenaflex blends creativity with technology to create immersive experiences for millions of users every day. Our Information and Investigation group, part of the arenaflex Web‑Based Features division, drives the data‑centric strategies that keep our platforms fast, reliable, and endlessly engaging.

Based in the vibrant tech hub of San Francisco, arenaflex offers a collaborative environment where curiosity is celebrated, and every team member has the opportunity to shape the future of digital entertainment. Whether you’re a seasoned data professional or an ambitious newcomer eager to dive into big‑data technologies, arenaflex provides the resources, mentorship, and growth pathways to accelerate your career.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Data Engineer to join our Commitment and Maintenance Information Designing team. This role is pivotal in designing, building, and maintaining large‑scale data solutions that power arenaflex’s analytics, reporting, and product innovation pipelines. While a bachelor’s degree is required, we welcome candidates with little to no professional experience who demonstrate a strong technical foundation, a passion for data, and a willingness to learn on the job.

As a Lead Data Engineer, you will work closely with Data Product Managers, Data Modelers, and Data Architects to translate business needs into robust data architectures. You will be responsible for creating high‑performance ETL pipelines, optimizing data warehouses, and ensuring data quality across cloud and on‑premise environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to design and implement data products that support arenaflex’s strategic initiatives.
• Develop, test, and maintain scalable ETL pipelines in large‑data environments (cloud, on‑prem, hybrid).
• Utilize arenaflex’s tech stack—including Hadoop, AWS, Snowflake, Flink, and Kafka—to build resilient data processing workflows.
• Engineer data models and schemas for the core data warehouse and data marts, ensuring alignment with business requirements.
• Partner with Data Product Owners and Data Architects to deploy end‑to‑end data solutions that meet performance SLAs.
• Document data pipelines, transformations, and architecture decisions to support data governance and knowledge sharing.
• Monitor and troubleshoot data pipelines, proactively addressing bottlenecks and ensuring high availability.
• Participate actively in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, contributing to sprint planning, retrospectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Champion data quality best practices, implementing validation checks and reconciliation tools such as Apache Flink.
• Stay current with emerging data technologies and recommend enhancements that drive efficiency and innovation.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong SQL proficiency with the ability to write complex queries and optimize performance.
• Hands‑on experience (academic projects, internships, or personal labs) with big‑data frameworks such as Hadoop (HDFS, Hive, Spark) and data streaming platforms like Kafka or Flink.
• Programming skills in Python and either Java or Scala; familiarity with scripting and automation is a plus.
• Exposure to at least one major MPP or cloud data warehouse technology (e.g., Snowflake, Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery).
• Understanding of data modeling concepts, dimensional modeling, and data warehousing best practices.
• Basic knowledge of cloud services (AWS S3, EMR, EC2) and containerization (Docker) is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an Agile environment, with strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or project experience building end‑to‑end data pipelines in a production setting.
• Certifications related to cloud platforms (AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Snowflake SnowPro Core).
• Experience with data orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow or Prefect.
• Familiarity with data governance frameworks and metadata management tools.
• Exposure to machine learning pipelines and feature engineering workflows.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Analytical Mindset: Ability to dissect complex problems, identify root causes, and propose data‑driven solutions.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with product, engineering, and business stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Comfort navigating a fast‑paced environment where priorities shift quickly.
• Attention to Detail: Commitment to maintaining high data quality and accurate documentation.
• Continuous Learning: Proactive attitude toward staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in employee development. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will have access to:

• Mentorship from senior data architects and industry veterans.
• Sponsored certifications and training programs in cloud, big data, and data science.
• Opportunities to lead high‑visibility projects that directly impact arenaflex’s flagship products.
• Rotational programs that allow you to explore adjacent domains such as analytics, machine learning, and product management.
• Regular internal tech talks, hackathons, and knowledge‑sharing sessions.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our San Francisco office blends modern design with collaborative spaces, offering:

• Open‑plan workstations and quiet zones for focused work.
• State‑of‑the‑art meeting rooms equipped with video‑conferencing tools for hybrid collaboration.
• Flexible work‑hours (standard 8‑hour day) and a supportive remote‑work policy.
• Inclusive culture that celebrates diversity, encourages open dialogue, and values each voice.
• Regular team‑building events, wellness programs, and community outreach initiatives.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

arenaflex offers a competitive hourly rate of $24 per hour, reflecting the value we place on talent and expertise. In addition to base compensation, you can expect:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• Retirement savings options with company matching contributions.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and parental leave.
• Employee assistance programs, mental‑health resources, and wellness stipends.
• Free meals, snacks, and coffee throughout the office.
• Transportation benefits, including public‑transit subsidies and bike‑share memberships.
• Access to cutting‑edge hardware and software tools to support your development work.

Why Join arenaflex?

At arenaflex, you’ll be part of a mission‑driven organization that blends entertainment with technology to create unforgettable digital experiences. You’ll work on data challenges that impact millions of users, collaborate with world‑class engineers, and grow your career in a supportive, forward‑thinking environment. If you are eager to turn data into actionable insights and thrive in a culture that rewards curiosity and innovation, arenaflex is the place for you.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you’re excited about building large‑scale data solutions, love solving complex problems, and want to grow your career with a company that values both creativity and technical excellence, we want to hear from you. Apply today and start your journey with arenaflex!

Apply Now