Lead Data Engineer – Big Data & Cloud Solutions (ETL, Data Warehousing) – $24/hr – arenaflex – San Francisco, CA

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a global leader in entertainment‑driven technology, delivering immersive digital experiences to millions of fans worldwide. With a heritage rooted in storytelling and a forward‑looking focus on data‑centric innovation, arenaflex blends creativity with cutting‑edge engineering to power the next generation of web‑based features, streaming platforms, and interactive services. Our mission is to turn raw data into actionable insight, enabling smarter product decisions, richer user experiences, and sustainable growth for our partners and advertisers.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Lead Data Engineer to join our Information and Investigation group within the arenaflex Web‑Based Features (DSS) division, a strategic pillar of the arenaflex Diversion and ESPN Innovation (DE&ET) portfolio. This senior‑level position will own the design, development, and operational excellence of large‑scale data solutions that power analytics, reporting, and machine‑learning pipelines across the organization. The role is based in San Francisco, USA, and offers a competitive hourly rate of $24, a full‑time schedule, and the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and implementation of enterprise‑grade data products and data warehouses that support the Commitment and Maintenance Analytics and Data Science teams.
• Design, build, and maintain robust ETL pipelines in large‑scale data environments (cloud, on‑premise, hybrid) using technologies such as Hadoop, AWS, Snowflake, Flink, and Kafka.
• Collaborate closely with Data Product Owners, Data Modelers, and Data Architects to translate business requirements into scalable data models and storage solutions.
• Develop and enforce best practices for data quality, lineage, and governance, ensuring that all data assets meet stringent SLA and compliance standards.
• Drive continuous improvement through Agile/Scrum ceremonies, championing automation, testing, and monitoring to increase reliability and reduce time‑to‑value.
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and foster a culture of knowledge sharing and technical excellence.
• Document architecture decisions, data flow diagrams, and operational runbooks to support cross‑functional teams and future audits.
• Stay current with emerging data technologies and industry trends, recommending strategic investments that align with arenaflex’s long‑term vision.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of hands‑on experience designing and operating large‑scale data platforms, preferably in a media, entertainment, or advertising technology environment.
• Proven expertise in SQL and the ability to craft performant queries against massive datasets.
• Deep familiarity with Hadoop ecosystem components (HDFS, Hive, Impala, PySpark) and modern cloud data warehouses (Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery).
• Strong programming skills in Python and either Java or Scala, with a track record of building production‑grade data pipelines.
• Experience building and maintaining data streaming solutions using tools such as Apache Kafka, Flink, or similar.
• Solid understanding of data modeling concepts, dimensional modeling, and data lake architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to work in Agile environments, participate in sprint planning, and deliver incremental value.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or advanced certifications in data engineering, cloud architecture, or big‑data technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with AWS services (S3, EMR, EC2, Lambda) and infrastructure‑as‑code tools (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Exposure to machine‑learning pipelines and collaboration with data science teams to operationalize models.
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) and experience implementing data privacy controls.
• Prior leadership experience managing cross‑functional engineering teams in a fast‑paced, high‑visibility environment.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Analytical mindset: Ability to dissect complex business problems and translate them into elegant data solutions.
• Communication: Clear articulation of technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Problem‑solving: Proactive identification of bottlenecks and innovative approaches to overcome them.
• Collaboration: Strong team player who thrives in a matrixed organization and builds consensus across disciplines.
• Ownership: Commitment to end‑to‑end delivery, from design through production support, with a focus on reliability.
• Continuous learning: Passion for staying ahead of the curve in data engineering, cloud platforms, and industry best practices.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

arenaflex invests heavily in the professional development of its employees. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will have access to:

• Mentorship from senior architects and industry veterans who have built data platforms at scale.
• Sponsored certifications (AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, etc.) and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.
• Opportunities to lead high‑impact projects that directly influence product strategy and revenue generation.
• Cross‑functional rotations that expose you to product management, analytics, and machine‑learning teams.
• Regular internal tech talks, hackathons, and knowledge‑sharing sessions to foster innovation.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our San Francisco office blends a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere with the flexibility of modern remote‑first policies. Key cultural pillars include:

• Innovation first: We encourage experimentation, rapid prototyping, and data‑driven decision making.
• Inclusivity & diversity: A welcoming environment where every voice is heard and diverse perspectives drive better outcomes.
• Work‑life balance: Flexible hours, generous PTO, and wellness programs support personal well‑being.
• Community impact: arenaflex partners with charitable organizations and offers volunteer days to give back to the community.
• State‑of‑the‑art facilities: Ergonomic workstations, collaborative spaces, and on‑site amenities such as a cafeteria, fitness center, and quiet zones.

Compensation, Benefits & Perks

arenaflex offers a competitive compensation package that reflects the expertise you bring to the role. In addition to the $24 per hour rate, you can expect:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance with low employee contributions.
• Retirement savings plans with company matching.
• Annual performance bonuses tied to individual and company success.
• Paid parental leave, adoption assistance, and flexible family‑friendly policies.
• Transportation stipend or parking reimbursement for on‑site work.
• Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) and equity grants for long‑term wealth building.
• Professional development budget, conference attendance, and access to online learning platforms.
• Wellness perks such as gym memberships, mental‑health resources, and on‑site meditation rooms.

How to Apply

If you are ready to lead the charge in building world‑class data infrastructure at a company that values creativity, technology, and impact, we want to hear from you. Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your most relevant experience and why you are excited about the opportunity at arenaflex.

Apply Now – Join arenaflex’s Data Engineering Team!

Join arenaflex Today

At arenaflex, data is more than just numbers—it’s the story behind every fan interaction, every advertising decision, and every strategic move. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will be at the heart of that narrative, shaping the future of entertainment technology. Take the next step in your career and become part of a dynamic, forward‑thinking organization that celebrates both technical excellence and creative passion.