Senior Data Engineer

Your work days are brighter here.

We’re obsessed with making hard work pay off, for our people, our customers, and the world around us. As a Fortune 500 company and a leading AI platform for managing people, money, and agents, we’re shaping the future of work so teams can reach their potential and focus on what matters most. The minute you join, you’ll feel it. Not just in the products we build, but in how we show up for each other. Our culture is rooted in integrity, empathy, and shared enthusiasm. We’re in this together, tackling big challenges with bold ideas and genuine care. We look for curious minds and courageous collaborators who bring sun-drenched optimism and drive. Whether you're building smarter solutions, supporting customers, or creating a space where everyone belongs, you’ll do meaningful work with Workmates who’ve got your back. In return, we’ll give you the trust to take risks, the tools to grow, the skills to develop and the support of a company invested in you for the long haul. So, if you want to inspire a brighter work day for everyone, including yourself, you’ve found a match in Workday, and we hope to be a match for you too.

About the Team

The Architecture & AI (AAI) organization is a dynamic and evolving team that is spearheading Workday’s growth through trusted data excellence, innovation, and architectural thought leadership. Equipped with an array of skills in data & AI platforms and architecture, data science, engineering, machine learning and AI strategy & product management, this team orchestrates the flow of data across our growing company while ensuring data accessibility, accuracy, and security. With a relentless focus on innovation and efficiency, Workmates in AAI enable the transformation of complex data sets into actionable insights that fuel strategic decisions and position Workday at the forefront of the technology industry.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly strategic and execution-focused Senior Data Engineer to lead the technical evolution of our internal Data Ecosystem. In this role, you will be responsible for the hands-on design and development of next-generation data lakes, complex pipelines, and infrastructure that power our AI enablement, machine learning, and advanced business intelligence initiatives.

Sitting at the distinct intersection of data, AI applications, and core infrastructure, you will be the primary technical force behind the scalability, reliability, and efficiency of our platforms. You are an expert engineer who thrives on solving complex technical challenges, architecting robust systems, and delivering high-performance code within a unified technical vision.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Execution: Own and drive the hands-on engineering of large-scale, complex data structures, including data lakes, platform modernizations, and high-throughput pipelines.

• Systems Architecture: Translate complex business objectives into scalable technical architectures, detailed design specifications, and robust engineering roadmaps.

• Engineering Excellence: Implement and enforce technical standards for data quality, system observability, governance, and performance tuning across all codebases.

• Technical Collaboration: Collaborate with AI Ops, Infrastructure, and Security teams to ensure seamless technical integration and infrastructure optimization.

• Complex Pipeline Development: Design and deploy sophisticated data processing pipelines that ensure high data velocity and reliability for enterprise AI applications.

• Problem Solving & Debugging: Proactively identify and resolve technical bottlenecks or operational blockers in the data infrastructure, facilitating rapid technical decision-making.

• Scalable Engineering Workflows: Optimize technical efficiency by implementing automated CI/CD pipelines, standardizing engineering tools, and refining technical workflows.

About You

Basic Qualification

• 8+ years of experience in data engineering

• Strong hands-on experience with modern data stack technologies

• Proficiency in at least one programming language commonly used in data engineering (e.g., Python, Scala, Java) and strong SQL skills.

• Experience designing and operating large-scale data pipelines in the cloud (AWS, GCP, or Azure).

• Proven track record of leading teams to deliver complex, cross-functional data projects from concept through production.

• Solid understanding of data modeling, data architecture, and performance optimization for analytical workloads.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical topics to non-technical partners.

Our Approach to Flexible Work  

With Flex Work, we’re combining the best of both worlds: in-person time and remote. Our approach enables our teams to deepen connections, maintain a strong community, and do their best work. We know that flexibility can take shape in many ways, so rather than a number of required days in-office each week, we simply spend at least half (50%) of our time each quarter in the office or in the field with our customers, prospects, and partners (depending on role). This means you'll have the freedom to create a flexible schedule that caters to your business, team, and personal needs, while being intentional to make the most of time spent together. Those in our remote "home office" roles also have the opportunity to come together in our offices for important moments that matter.

At Workday, we are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive hiring experience where all candidates can fully demonstrate their skills. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point, please email accommodations@workday.com.

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