Why worksphere?
worksphere is a forward‑thinking financial services leader that blends cutting‑edge technology with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our mission is to empower customers and communities worldwide by delivering secure, reliable, and innovative financial solutions. As a global organization, we understand that talent comes from everywhere, which is why we champion remote work, flexible schedules, and a culture where every voice matters.
Position Overview
worksphere is seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join our Cyber Security Data Science team. This fully remote role will be based in Virginia, USA, and offers a competitive hourly rate of $30/hr. You will design, build, and optimize large‑scale data pipelines that power critical security use cases such as data loss prevention (DLP), identity and access management (IAM), and vulnerability management. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment, love solving complex data challenges, and want to make a tangible impact on the security posture of a major financial institution, this is the opportunity for you.
Key Responsibilities
- Architect & Implement Data Pipelines: Lead the end‑to‑end design, development, and deployment of robust data pipelines using Airflow, Python, PySpark, and Spark.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with data scientists, security analysts, product managers, and engineering leads to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions.
- Data Quality & Monitoring: Build tooling for automated data validation, anomaly detection, and comprehensive logging to ensure data integrity across all security domains.
- Technical Leadership: Mentor junior engineers, conduct code reviews, and champion best practices in data engineering, security compliance, and cloud architecture.
- Performance Optimization: Diagnose bottlenecks, fine‑tune Spark jobs, and optimize Airflow DAGs for cost‑effective execution on both on‑premise Hadoop clusters and public cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
- Documentation & Knowledge Sharing: Produce clear technical documentation, architecture diagrams, and runbooks to support cross‑functional teams and future onboarding.
- Strategic Decision‑Making: Evaluate emerging technologies, data formats, and security standards to guide the evolution of worksphere’s data engineering roadmap.
Essential Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience in database or data engineering roles, or an equivalent combination of work experience, training, or military service.
- At least 2 years of professional experience with Spark, Python, or PySpark in production environments.
- Demonstrated ability to design, develop, and maintain complex Airflow DAGs.
- Strong understanding of data security concepts, especially DLP, IAM, and vulnerability management.
- Proficiency with data serialization formats such as YAML, JSON, Parquet, and XML.
- Experience working with on‑premise Hadoop distributions (Cloudera, Hortonworks, MapR) and cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure).
- Solid grasp of cluster management, distributed computing, and resource scheduling.
Preferred Qualifications & Nice‑to‑Haves
- Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Security, or a related field.
- Hands‑on experience with security‑focused data sets, metrics, and reporting dashboards.
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for data engineering (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps).
- Knowledge of containerization technologies such as Docker and orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.
- Prior experience in a regulated financial services environment.
- Certifications in cloud platforms (AWS Certified Data Analytics, Google Professional Data Engineer, Azure Data Engineer Associate) or security (CISSP, CISM).
Core Skills & Competencies
- Analytical Thinking: Ability to dissect complex data problems, identify root causes, and propose elegant solutions.
- Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Leadership: Proven track record of leading projects, influencing cross‑functional teams, and mentoring junior talent.
- Adaptability: Comfortable navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape and shifting business priorities.
- Security Mindset: Deep appreciation for data privacy, compliance, and the unique challenges of securing financial information.
- Problem‑Solving: Proactive approach to troubleshooting, performance tuning, and continuous improvement.
Career Growth & Learning Opportunities
At worksphere, your professional development is a top priority. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will have access to:
- Mentorship Programs: Pairing with senior architects and security leaders to accelerate your expertise.
- Learning Stipends: Annual budget for certifications, conferences, and online courses.
- Cross‑Functional Rotations: Opportunities to work with product, risk, and compliance teams, broadening your business acumen.
- Innovation Labs: Participate in hackathons and proof‑of‑concept initiatives that shape worksphere’s future technology stack.
- Leadership Pathways: Clear promotion tracks from Lead Engineer to Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, and beyond.
Work Environment & Culture
worksphere embraces a remote‑first philosophy. Our employees enjoy:
- Flexibility: Set your own schedule to balance professional responsibilities with personal life.
- Global Collaboration: Work alongside diverse teams across continents, gaining exposure to varied perspectives.
- Reduced Commute Stress: Eliminate daily travel, freeing up time for learning, family, or hobbies.
- Autonomy: Ownership of projects from conception to production, with trust from leadership to deliver results.
- State‑of‑the‑Art Tools: Access to high‑performance laptops, secure VPNs, cloud sandboxes, and collaboration platforms (Slack, Microsoft Teams, Confluence).
- Wellness Programs: Virtual fitness classes, mental‑health resources, and ergonomic home‑office stipends.
- Inclusive Culture: Employee resource groups, regular DEI workshops, and a zero‑tolerance policy for discrimination.
Compensation, Perks & Benefits
worksphere offers a comprehensive package designed to attract and retain top talent:
- Competitive Pay: $30 per hour, commensurate with experience and expertise.
- Performance Bonuses: Quarterly bonuses tied to individual and team achievements.
- Health & Dental Coverage: Premium plans with low co‑pays for employees and dependents.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with company match.
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays to recharge.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement, certification fees, and access to a digital learning library.
- Technology Stipend: Annual allowance for home‑office upgrades, monitors, and peripherals.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.
Application Process
We value transparency and speed. The hiring journey typically includes:
- Resume & cover letter review by the talent acquisition team.
- Technical screening focused on data engineering concepts and problem‑solving.
- Virtual on‑site interview series (coding exercise, system design, and cultural fit).
- Final discussion with the hiring manager and senior leadership.
- Offer extension and onboarding preparation.
Our process is designed to be respectful of your time while giving you a clear picture of the role and our expectations.
Ready to Shape the Future of Secure Data at worksphere?
If you are passionate about building resilient data pipelines, love tackling security challenges, and thrive in a remote, collaborative environment, we want to hear from you. Join worksphere and become a key driver of innovation in the financial services industry.
Take the Next Step
Click the link below to submit your application. Let’s build a safer, smarter future together.
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