Alaska Airlines
Principal Data Engineer
We are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. If your passion for travel and guests motivates you to achieve excellence each day, we want to hear from you.
Role Summary The Principal Data Engineer is the sole subject matter expert in designing, optimizing, implementing and advancing Alaska Air Group’s Enterprise Data platform using Databricks. As an individual contributor, this role defines long‑term strategy for driving innovation, mentoring teams, partnering on the best technical implementation of Databricks, and ensuring the platform is scalable, secure, and aligned with Business and ITS goals.
Key Duties
Design and implement high‑performance batch or real‑time data pipelines using Apache Spark, Delta Live Tables, and Structured Streaming on Databricks.
Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and engineering teams to deliver robust, production‑grade solutions.
Define and enforce best practices for workspace governance, job orchestration, and CI/CD integration.
Optimize cluster configurations, spark parameters, and job execution plans for cost efficiency and speed.
Evaluate and implement new Databricks features, championing their use across teams.
Troubleshoot and resolve performance bottlenecks, memory issues, and streaming latency challenges.
Lead development and mentor engineers on real‑time streaming solutions, spark internals, delta table optimization, and advanced debugging techniques.
Implement and manage Unity Catalog for centralized governance, data lineage, and fine‑grained access control.
Monitor Databricks costs, identify opportunities, and drive cost‑reduction initiatives.
Standardize tagging and metadata practices to improve cost attribution, accountability, and reporting.
Continuously improve system reliability through automation and monitoring, including automated unit testing and documentation.
Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture and Security to develop architecture and security strategies.
Ensure new capabilities are evaluated, implemented, and operationalized.
Required Experience, Education & Skills
7+ years of data engineering, big‑data platforms, or analytics experience; independent work on large‑scale data architectures.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/experience.
Expert in Databricks and Apache Spark.
Deep understanding of Databricks configurations and real‑time streaming with Structured Streaming and Delta Live Tables.
Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and PySpark.
Expertise in Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Terraform) and CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps and/or GitHub). Azure experience preferred.
Proven pipeline optimization for performance, reliability, and cost.
Familiarity with Unity Catalog and Lakehouse Federation.
Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally, understand objectives, write tech specs, and lead projects.
Experience with Kafka.
Excellent communication skills and ability to influence technical design.
High school diploma or equivalent and minimum age 18.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred Experience, Education & Skills
Experience with Azure and MLflow.
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional or Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.
Agile (Scrum) or Kanban development methodology experience.
Estimation of effort and establishment of project timelines.
Experience delivering technical knowledge to diverse audiences.
Job‑Specific Leadership Expectations Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
Salary Range $138,500 – $207,750 per year
Salary Details Pay will be based on multiple factors, including location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations.
Note: We typically do not hire at the top of the range.
Total Rewards
Free stand‑by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
Comprehensive wellness programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
Generous 401(k) match program
Quarterly and annual bonus plans
Generous holiday and paid time off
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We offer equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected category.
Employment Type Full‑time
How to Apply Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on 11/6/2025.
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Role Summary The Principal Data Engineer is the sole subject matter expert in designing, optimizing, implementing and advancing Alaska Air Group’s Enterprise Data platform using Databricks. As an individual contributor, this role defines long‑term strategy for driving innovation, mentoring teams, partnering on the best technical implementation of Databricks, and ensuring the platform is scalable, secure, and aligned with Business and ITS goals.
Key Duties
Design and implement high‑performance batch or real‑time data pipelines using Apache Spark, Delta Live Tables, and Structured Streaming on Databricks.
Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and engineering teams to deliver robust, production‑grade solutions.
Define and enforce best practices for workspace governance, job orchestration, and CI/CD integration.
Optimize cluster configurations, spark parameters, and job execution plans for cost efficiency and speed.
Evaluate and implement new Databricks features, championing their use across teams.
Troubleshoot and resolve performance bottlenecks, memory issues, and streaming latency challenges.
Lead development and mentor engineers on real‑time streaming solutions, spark internals, delta table optimization, and advanced debugging techniques.
Implement and manage Unity Catalog for centralized governance, data lineage, and fine‑grained access control.
Monitor Databricks costs, identify opportunities, and drive cost‑reduction initiatives.
Standardize tagging and metadata practices to improve cost attribution, accountability, and reporting.
Continuously improve system reliability through automation and monitoring, including automated unit testing and documentation.
Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture and Security to develop architecture and security strategies.
Ensure new capabilities are evaluated, implemented, and operationalized.
Required Experience, Education & Skills
7+ years of data engineering, big‑data platforms, or analytics experience; independent work on large‑scale data architectures.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/experience.
Expert in Databricks and Apache Spark.
Deep understanding of Databricks configurations and real‑time streaming with Structured Streaming and Delta Live Tables.
Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and PySpark.
Expertise in Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Terraform) and CI/CD pipelines (Azure DevOps and/or GitHub). Azure experience preferred.
Proven pipeline optimization for performance, reliability, and cost.
Familiarity with Unity Catalog and Lakehouse Federation.
Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally, understand objectives, write tech specs, and lead projects.
Experience with Kafka.
Excellent communication skills and ability to influence technical design.
High school diploma or equivalent and minimum age 18.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred Experience, Education & Skills
Experience with Azure and MLflow.
Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional or Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification.
Agile (Scrum) or Kanban development methodology experience.
Estimation of effort and establishment of project timelines.
Experience delivering technical knowledge to diverse audiences.
Job‑Specific Leadership Expectations Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be caring and kind, and deliver performance.
Salary Range $138,500 – $207,750 per year
Salary Details Pay will be based on multiple factors, including location, relevant experience/level and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations.
Note: We typically do not hire at the top of the range.
Total Rewards
Free stand‑by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air
Comprehensive wellness programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
Generous 401(k) match program
Quarterly and annual bonus plans
Generous holiday and paid time off
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We offer equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other legally protected category.
Employment Type Full‑time
How to Apply Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on 11/6/2025.
#J-18808-Ljbffr