Lead Data Engineer
Elastic· enterprise· Search/AI· Oct 6, 2026 · 21d ago
United States
Full-time
Lead/Staff
$192K–$246K est.
8+ years exp
Job description
Elastic, the Search AI Company, enables everyone to find the answers they need in real time, using all their data, at scale — unleashing the potential of businesses and people. The Elastic Search AI Platform, used by more than 50% of the Fortune 500, brings together the precision of search and the intelligence of AI to enable everyone to accelerate the results that matter. By taking advantage of all structured and unstructured data — securing and protecting private information more effectively — Elastic’s complete, cloud-based solutions for search, security, and observability help organizations deliver on the promise of AI. What is The Role
We're looking for a Lead Data Engineer to join our Data Engineering & Architecture team. In this role, you'll help grow a Data Platform that makes it easier for teams across our company to work with data confidently and effectively . Your work will directly support our business goals not just by keeping data flowing, but by turning it into something people can actually use and trust.
This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys both the technical craft of data engineering and the human side of it: collaborating with partners, sharing knowledge, and helping others get more out of the tools and systems you build together .
What You Will Be Doing
You'll design, maintain, and improve the pipelines and infrastructure that power our data platform. Day to day, that means working across the full data lifecycle — from ingestion and streaming to transformation and delivery — using tools like Apache Airflow, Spark, Iceberg, Kafka, Flink, and dbt Labs.
Beyond the technical work, you'll spend meaningful time with stakeholders to understand what they need and help define how data should flow across systems. That includes co-creating data contracts, writing clear documentation, and guiding teammates on how to get the most out of the platform.
A few other things you'll take on:
Monitor and refine pipeline performance and refine processes to keep things running smoothly.
Use Terraform to provision and manage resources on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Help steward the platform by reviewing code and ensuring good practices and standard processes are followed.
Process access requests and support compliance with platform policies.
What You Bring
8+ years of experience in data engineering or related roles
Experience with Apache Airflow for orchestrating data workflows
Experience with Spark, Flink, Kafka, and dbt Labs for data processing and transformation
Understanding of Apache Iceberg for data table formats and data warehouse and lakehouse strategies
Skilled in using Terraform for infrastructure-as-code deployments
Proficient in programming languages, particularly Bash, Python, and SQL
Knowledge of database systems, including OLAP, OLTP, Document, and Vector databases
Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for cloud resource management
Bonus: Proven experience with data security and access controls for SOX Compliant data
Bonus: Experience and knowledge of the Elastic stack
Compensation for this role is in the form of base salary. This role does not have a variable compensation component.
The typical starting salary range for new hires in this role is listed below. In select locations (including Seattle WA, Los Angeles CA, the San Francisco Bay Area CA, and the New York City Metro Area), an alternate range may apply as specified below.
These ranges represent the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the ranges may be modified in the future.
An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Elastic believes that employees should have the opportunity to share in the value that we create together for our shareholders. Therefore, in addition to cash compensation, this role is currently eligible to participate in Elastic's stock program. Our total rewards package also includes a company-matched 401k with dollar-for-dollar matching up to 6% of eligible earnings, along with a range of other benefits offered with a holistic emphasis on employee well-being. The typical starting salary range for this role is: $113,100 — $178,900 USD The typical starting salary range for this role in the select locations listed above is: $135,900 — $215,100 USD Additional Information - We Take Care of Our People
As a distributed company, diversity drives our identity. Whether you’re looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Elastic is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life. Your age is only a number. It doesn’t matter if you’re just out of college or your children are; we need you for what you can do.
We strive to have parity of benefits across regions and while regulations differ from place to place, we believe taking care of our people is the right thing to do.
Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary
Health coverage for you and your family in many locations
Ability to craft your calendar with flexible locations and schedules for many roles
Generous number of vacation days each year
Increase your impact - We match up to $2000 (or local currency equivalent) for financial donations and service
Up to 40 hours each year to use toward volunteer projects you love
Embracing parenthood with minimum of 16 weeks of parental leave
Different people approach problems differently. We need that. Elastic is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation.
We welcome individuals with disabilities and strive to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all individuals. To request an accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email candidate_accessibility@elastic.co . We will reply to your request within 24 business hours of submission.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws, view posters linked below: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Poster; Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Poster; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) Poster and Know Your Rights (Poster)
Elasticsearch develops and distributes technology and information that is subject to U.S. and other countries’ export controls and licensing requirements for individuals who are located in or are nationals of the following sanctioned countries and regions: Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, or Russia, including the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia (The Crimea region of Ukraine, The Donetsk People's Republic (DNR), The Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Kherson or Zaporizhzhia). If you are located in or are a national of one of the listed countries or regions, an export license may be required as a condition of your employment in this role. Please note that national origin and/or nationality do not affect eligibility for employment with Elastic.
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Vision
401k
Parental Leave