Senior Data Engineer

Job Description

The Data Engineering team is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to help design, build, and scale the modern data platform that powers analytics, data science, and data products across Versant brands. In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with Data Product, Data Science, Analytics, and Engineering teams to deliver reliable, high-impact data solutions used by hundreds of internal users. We're looking for engineers who enjoy hands-on development, take ownership of production systems, and influence implementation through collaboration and technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement lakehouse architecture using Delta Lake, including medallion pipeline patterns (Bronze/Silver/Gold), schema enforcement, and time travel
• Build and operate batch and real-time ingestion pipelines leveraging Databricks Auto Loader, Structured Streaming, and Change Data Capture patterns
• Implement data governance and security using Unity Catalog, RBAC, and
  compliance-driven practices for sensitive environments
• Optimize performance and manage costs through FinOps strategies, including cluster sizing, workload tagging, Spark tuning, and Photon acceleration
• Design, implement, and maintain CI/CD pipelines and orchestration workflows using Databricks Workflows, Delta Live Tables, and tools such as Airflow
• Collaborate with Data Science teams on ML workflows, including MLflow,
  feature store integration, and model lifecycle management
• Ensure data quality, observability, and lineage across media-specific datasets
  such as streaming logs, ad impressions, and audience metrics
• Provide technical mentorship through code reviews, pairing and knowledge sharing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience building production-grade data pipelines in cloud environments using Spark-based platforms (e.g., Databricks, EMR, Dataproc, open-source Spark)
• Expertise in PySpark, SQL, and Spark-based data processing, with experience operating pipelines at scale in production
• Hands-on experience building batch or streaming production data pipelines using distributed processing frameworks (e.g., Spark, Flink) and query engines such as Presto
• Proficiency with orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow or Dagster, with hands-on experience in CI/CD, monitoring, alerting, and data quality for production systems
• Experience working with modern data architectures, including event-driven and distributed systems
• Proficiency with Git and collaborative development workflows
• Build and operate batch and real-time ingestion pipelines using Spark based batch and streaming patterns (e.g., Structured Streaming, CDC), with experience on Databricks or comparable platforms
• Solid understanding of infrastructure, networking, and data security fundamentals

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building Lakehouse platforms and medallion pipelines in Databricks
• Familiarity with Unity Catalog, data governance, and compliance frameworks (e.g., PCI)
• Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines, orchestration tools, and infrastructure-as-code
• Experience with Lakeflow Spark Declarative Pipelines (SDP), MLflow, feature stores, and MLOps practices
• Background in media and entertainment data (e.g., video metadata, ad tech, audience analytics)
• Experience building data platforms within the media industry, with a strong
  understanding of audience analytics
• Experience working with large-scale analytical datasets (e.g., event logs, clickstream data, audience metrics)
• Comfortable using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., ChatGPT)
• Databricks or cloud certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer)

What Sets You Apart

• Passion for clean, reliable, and scalable data systems
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to balance near-term delivery with thoughtful technical design
• Curiosity and a growth mindset
• A team-first attitude who supports and uplifts others

Additional Information

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week from our LA office.
• Salary: $140,000 - $160,000. 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 benefits and perks.
• As part of our selection process, candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT employee in New York. VERSANT'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 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.

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.

For LA County and City Residents Only: VERSANT Media will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

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 (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Versant’s sports division USA Sports, along with complementary digital assets including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and GolfPass.