Data Engineering and Architecture Lead

An exciting opportunity exists for a seasoned Data Engineering and Architecture Lead to join our client’s IT division. In this position, you will be responsible for shaping, building, and maintaining enterprise-scale data platforms that support robust analytics, streamlined data integration, and sophisticated business intelligence capabilities within a modern AWS cloud ecosystem.

You will guide and mentor a team of engineers and architects, ensuring that data solutions are reliable, secure, and high-performing, while aligning closely with the organization’s broader digital transformation goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, deployment, and management of scalable, secure, and future-ready data architectures.
• Develop and maintain robust ETL/ELT pipelines to integrate data from diverse sources.
• Design data models and structures that support analytics, BI, and AI/ML initiatives.
• Partner with data science, BI, and business teams to ensure high data quality, accessibility, and performance.
• Define and enforce engineering standards, best practices, and data governance frameworks.
• Drive platform automation, optimize performance, and manage costs effectively.
• Mentor and guide data engineers and architects, fostering skills development and knowledge sharing.
• Monitor emerging trends in data engineering and cloud technologies, recommending enhancements to the data platform.

Qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or a related technical role.
• Proven hands-on experience with AWS Cloud services including S3, Glue, Redshift, EMR, Lambda, and Athena.
• Strong programming skills in SQL and Python.
• Advanced expertise in data modeling techniques (e.g., Kimball, Data Vault) and ETL/ELT development.
• Experience with DevOps practices and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation).
• Previous experience in team leadership or managing technical teams is essential.

The reference number for this position is NG60852 which is a permanent, Hybrid role in Johannesburg offering a salary of up to R2+mil CTC negotiable based on experience. e-mail Nokuthula on e-merge.co.za or call her for a chat on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.

Are you ready for a change of scenery? e-Merge IT recruitment is a niche recruitment agency. We offer our candidates options so that we can successfully place the right people with the right companies, in the right roles. Check out the e-Merge IT website www.e-merge.co.za for more great positions.

Posted on 09 Apr 09:10, Closing date 8 Jun