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Head of Data Engineering

Head of Data Engineering

Watershed ConsultingRemote, Western Cape, South Africa
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Remote
Job description

Job Title : Head of Data Engineering

Location : Cape Town, South Africa (Remote options available)

About the Role :

Our client is seeking an experienced and innovative Head of Data Engineering to lead their Data Team while closely collaborating with their Business Intelligence Team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in modern data platform design, advanced tools and architecture, and team leadership. If you’re passionate about building scalable data systems and driving data-informed decisions, this role is for you.

Key Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership :

Define and implement a cutting-edge data platform strategy to support business goals.

  • Drive the migration to a modern cloud-based data stack, utilizing tools like Prefect , Kafka , Trino , TimescaleDB , and StarRocksDB .

Data Architecture & Infrastructure :

Oversee the modernization of the current data platform, transitioning from Redshift to a distributed query engine and data lakehouse architecture.

  • Implement open table formats such as Parquet and Iceberg for efficient data management.

    • Pipeline Development & Orchestration :

    Design and manage event streams and ETL / ELT pipelines, ensuring scalability and reliability.

  • Leverage orchestration tools like Prefect or Airflow to optimize workflows.

    • Business Intelligence Enablement :

    Collaborate with the BI team to enhance analytics and reporting capabilities using tools like Tableau and Metabase .

  • Support self-service analytics and advanced visualization for stakeholders.

    • Data Governance & Cost Management :

    Establish data quality, security, and compliance best practices.

  • Optimize data infrastructure to balance performance with cost-effectiveness.

    • Team Leadership :

    Build and lead a high-performing data engineering team.

  • Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.

    • What You Bring : Experience :

    10+ years in data engineering, with 3+ years in leadership roles.

  • Expertise in modern data architectures on AWS or open-source platforms.
  • Proven experience with tools such as Kafka , Trino , Prefect / Airflow , StarRocksDB , TimescaleDB , Tableau , and Metabase .

    • Technical Skills :

    Strong proficiency in SQL and Python (required); additional experience in PHP is a plus.

  • Deep understanding of distributed systems, streaming architectures, and data lakehouse optimization.
  • Familiarity with machine learning pipelines and advanced analytics (a bonus).

    • Leadership & Collaboration :

    Visionary leader with a passion for innovation in data engineering.

  • Skilled at mentoring teams and communicating technical concepts to diverse audiences.

    • About the Company :

    Our client, is a Cape Town-based software company specializing in cutting-edge digital service platforms for network operators. Their Service Delivery Platform (SDP) empowers operators to scale services while unlocking powerful insights and opportunities.

    What Sets Them Apart :

  • Flexible working hours and remote work options.
  • A casual, supportive startup culture with perks like free breakfasts, table tennis, and team events.
  • Generous leave policies, including birthday leave and anniversary gifts.

    • How to Apply :

    Ready to lead and innovate? Submit your CV and let’s connect. The hiring process is straightforward, involving an initial review, interviews, and potential video responses.

  • Skillset Required : Proactive, Team Leadership, Leadership Skill, Data Visualization, Distributed Systems, Business Intelligence, Supportive, Self-motivated, Data Analysis, Visio, Attention To Detail, Programming Skill, Insight, Scala, Compliance, Machine Learning, Php, Tennis, Problem-solving Skill, Flexible, Python, Workflow, Leadership, Hiring, Sql, Apache
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    Head Of Engineering • Remote, Western Cape, South Africa