Principal Data Engineer

Job Description

Versant Media’s Data Platforms team is the central data store across the enterprise. We unify disparate systems into a secure, well-governed, real-time data environment that powers downstream products, analytics, and content delivery experiences.

We are seeking a Principal Data Engineer to lead the design and evolution of data systems, pipelines, and modeling strategies across Versant’s data platform.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on building scalable, well-governed data systems and setting standards for how data is structured, transformed, and consumed across the organization.

This role partners closely with Platform Development and Data Governance to ensure data systems are both technically robust and contract-driven.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of scalable data pipelines, transformation frameworks, and data models
• Define standards for:
  • Data modeling
  • Schema design and evolution
  • Data lifecycle management
• Ensure alignment with:
  • Data contracts
  • Governance and lineage requirements
  • Observability and data quality standards
• Partner with Platform Engineering to integrate data systems into platform services and APIs
• Drive best practices for:
  • Testing and validation of data pipelines
  • Performance and scalability
  • Reusability and modular design
• Mentor engineers and influence technical direction across teams
• Evaluate and introduce modern data technologies and patterns where appropriate

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of experience in data engineering or related roles
• Deep expertise in:
  • Data modeling
  • ELT pipelines
  • Large-scale data processing systems
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL, with familiarity in distributed data systems
• Strong understanding of:
  • Data governance, contracts, and lineage
  • Data quality and observability concepts
• Experience designing systems that support both:
  • Analytical workloads

• • Operational data use cases
• Proven ability to lead technical direction without direct authority

Nice to Have

• Exposure to ML platforms or services (e.g., Databricks, AWS Bedrock)
• Familiarity with analytics and BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, or similar)
• Experience working in media, streaming, or large-scale enterprise environments
• Prior experience modernizing or integrating legacy systems within a cloud-native architecture

Additional Requirements: 

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.
• This role is primarily based in NJ with flexibility to work in the HQ office as needed. We offer free shuttles to the Englewood Cliffs office from Manhattan (East & West Sides), Brooklyn, Jersey City/Hoboken, Newark/Secaucus stations.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.  Salary range: $170,000 - $200,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible) 

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to candidateaccessibility@versantmedia.com.

VERSANT Media is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via-email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.