We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Senior Data Engineer to lead the development and optimization of our enterprise data infrastructure. This role will play a strategic part in shaping the future of our data architecture and enabling advanced analytics across the organization. You will design and implement scalable data solutions, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate closely with business stakeholders, analysts, data scientists, and platform teams to deliver high-impact data initiatives. This opportunity is ideal for someone passionate about cloud-native data platforms, modern data engineering practices, and building reliable, secure, and high-performance data ecosystems. Responsibilities Lead design and implementation of scalable, high-performance data architectures Develop and optimise data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes, and data workflows Design advanced data models to support complex business and analytics needs Enable big data processing, machine learning pipelines, and advanced analytics Manage and optimise cloud-based data platforms (primarily AWS) Ensure performance, scalability, cost efficiency, and security of data systems Lead technical direction and set data engineering standards Mentor and guide data engineering team members Collaborate with stakeholders (data scientists, analysts, developers, business teams) Translate business requirements into effective data solutions Implement and enforce data governance, quality, and compliance standards Ensure adherence to data security and regulatory requirements Stay updated with emerging data engineering tools and best practices Qualifications & Experience Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related field 10+ years' experience in data engineering or similar roles Strong experience building and managing large-scale, complex data solutions Expertise in Python, SQL, and Spark (PySpark/Spark SQL) Solid understanding of data warehousing, big data, and ETL/ELT pipelines Strong experience with cloud platforms, especially AWS Proven leadership experience mentoring or leading data engineering teams Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills Experience with data governance, streaming data, or certifications is advantageous Type: Permanent, Hybrid position based in Cape Town; Compensation: up to R1.4mil CTC, negotiable on experience and ability. #J-18808-Ljbffr