Lead Data Engineer – Big Data & Data Warehousing Specialist at arenaflex – $24/hr Full‑Time (No Experience Required)

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a global leader in entertainment, media, and technology solutions, delivering immersive experiences to millions of fans worldwide. With a legacy of innovation that spans theme parks, streaming platforms, and interactive digital services, arenaflex continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the digital age. Our Information and Investigation group powers the data‑driven decisions that keep our products fresh, our audiences engaged, and our business growing. As part of arenaflex’s commitment to excellence, we are expanding our data engineering capabilities and looking for a passionate Lead Data Engineer to join our dynamic team in San Francisco.

Why This Role Matters

Data is the lifeblood of arenaflex. From optimizing content recommendations to forecasting ticket sales, every strategic decision relies on accurate, timely, and actionable information. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will architect and implement the data pipelines that transform raw event logs, transactional records, and user interactions into reliable data products. Your work will directly influence product development, marketing strategies, and operational efficiency across the entire arenaflex ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable data warehouse solutions that support both on‑premise and cloud environments, ensuring high availability and low latency for downstream analytics.
• Build, maintain, and optimize ETL pipelines using industry‑leading technologies such as Hadoop, AWS, Snowflake, and Flink, handling petabyte‑scale data volumes.
• Collaborate with Product Owners, Data Modelers, and Data Architects to translate business requirements into robust data models and storage strategies.
• Implement data quality frameworks, including automated testing, lineage tracking, and documentation, to guarantee the integrity of critical data assets.
• Lead a cross‑functional Agile team, participating in sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, retrospectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor performance metrics, troubleshoot bottlenecks, and apply tuning techniques to meet stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for data delivery.
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, best practices, and technical excellence.
• Stay current with emerging data technologies and propose innovative solutions that keep arenaflex at the forefront of the industry.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong proficiency in SQL with the ability to craft complex queries that retrieve and aggregate data efficiently.
• Hands‑on experience with big‑data frameworks such as Hadoop (HDFS, Hive, Impala) and Spark (PySpark, Scala).
• Proficient programming skills in Python and either Java or Scala, with a focus on building reliable data pipelines.
• Demonstrated experience designing and operating data warehouses on MPP or cloud platforms (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery).
• Familiarity with data streaming technologies like Apache Flink or Kafka for real‑time ingestion and processing.
• Understanding of data modeling principles, dimensional modeling, and schema design for analytical workloads.
• Experience working in Scrum or other Agile methodologies, with a track record of delivering on sprint commitments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or advanced certifications in data engineering, cloud architecture, or related disciplines.
• Practical experience with AWS services (S3, EMR, EC2, Lambda) and infrastructure‑as‑code tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation.
• Exposure to data governance, security compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and metadata management tools.
• Background in the entertainment or media industry, understanding the unique data challenges of content delivery and audience analytics.
• Proven ability to lead large‑scale data migration projects from legacy systems to modern cloud‑native platforms.

Core Skills & Competencies

• Analytical mindset: Ability to dissect complex problems, identify root causes, and propose data‑driven solutions.
• Communication: Clear articulation of technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Collaboration: Strong teamwork skills, fostering partnerships across product, analytics, and operations teams.
• Adaptability: Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment where priorities shift based on business needs.
• Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to guide, coach, and inspire junior engineers while driving project success.

Career Growth & Learning Opportunities

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

• Mentorship programs with senior architects and industry experts.
• Sponsored certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics, SnowPro Core).
• Internal hackathons and innovation labs where you can prototype cutting‑edge data solutions.
• Opportunities to transition into senior architecture, data product management, or strategic analytics leadership roles.

Compensation, Perks & Benefits

We offer a competitive hourly rate of $24 per hour, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contributions.
• 401(k) matching and financial wellness programs.
• Paid time off, holidays, and flexible work arrangements.
• Employee assistance programs, mental health resources, and wellness initiatives.
• Discounts on arenaflex entertainment experiences, merchandise, and streaming services.
• Continuous learning budget for conferences, courses, and professional development.

Work Environment & Culture at arenaflex

Our San Francisco office blends modern collaborative spaces with quiet zones for focused work. The culture at arenaflex is built on creativity, curiosity, and inclusion. We celebrate diverse perspectives, encourage open dialogue, and recognize achievements through regular awards and shout‑outs. Whether you’re brainstorming the next data‑driven feature or enjoying a themed lunch, you’ll feel part of a community that values both professional excellence and personal well‑being.

How to Apply

If you are ready to shape the data foundation of a world‑class entertainment brand and grow your career alongside industry innovators, we want to hear from you. Click the link below to submit your application and become a pivotal part of arenaflex’s data journey.

Apply Now – Join arenaflex!

Closing Statement

arenaflex is committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our global audience. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences. Take the next step in your data engineering career and help us turn data into unforgettable experiences for millions of fans worldwide.