Job Description: Senior Data Engineer (Snowflake, DBT, Fivetran)
Hybrid in Dallas
Role Overview
We are seeking a Senior Data Engineer who is highly hands-on and experienced in building modern, scalable data pipelines and transformation frameworks using Snowflake and dbt. This role focuses on delivering high-quality, production-grade data solutions with strong engineering discipline, leveraging Python, CI/CD, and Git-based development practices.
The ideal candidate brings deep, practical experience in dbt coding and Snowflake engineering, along with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and the ability to operate independently. Fivetran experience is beneficial, but the primary focus is on dbtand Snowflake expertise.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, build, and maintain scalable ELT pipelines, leveraging Fivetran (or similar tools) for ingestion and dbt for transformation.
- Develop and maintain robust dbt projects, including:
- Modular models (staging, intermediate, marts)
- Reusable macros and Jinja templating
- Snapshots for SCD Type 2 handling
- Schema and custom data quality tests
- Documentation using dbt docs
- Implement modular and reusable dbt architecture supporting multi-environment deployments (dev, test, prod).
- Design and implement scalable data models using best practices (dimensional modeling, star schema, and data vault where applicable).
- Optimize Snowflake performance and cost efficiency, including:
- Query tuning and execution optimization
- Warehouse sizing and workload management
- Effective use of micro-partitions, clustering, and pruning
- Build and enforce strong data quality and validation frameworks, including:
- Unit testing for transformations (dbt and custom frameworks)
- Data reconciliation and consistency checks
- Develop Python-based solutions for automation, orchestration support, metadata-driven processing, and operational tooling.
- Implement and enforce Git-based development practices:
- Version control, branching strategies, pull requests, and code reviews
- Consistent and collaborative engineering workflows
- Build, maintain, and enhance CI/CD pipelines for dbt deployments:
- Automated build, test, and deployment processes
- Environment promotion (dev → test → prod)
- Integration with enterprise deployment pipelines
- Work with orchestration tools such as Airflow / Astronomer to schedule, monitor, and manage data pipeline execution (preferred).
- Collaborate closely with platform, governance, and business teams to align on data requirements, access control, and delivery expectations.
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in data engineering / analytics engineering roles.
- Strong hands-on experience with dbt in production, including:
- Model development and dependency management
- Macro development and reusable frameworks
- Testing strategies (schema tests, custom tests)
- Deployment and environment management
- Strong Snowflake expertise, including:
- Data modeling and warehouse design
- Performance tuning and cost optimization
- Deep understanding of virtual warehouses, micro-partitions, clustering, and query pruning
- Role-based access control (RBAC) and secure data access
- Advanced SQL expertise with ability to build and optimize complex transformations.
- Strong Python programming skills for data engineering use cases.
- Proven experience with Git integration, including collaborative development workflows.
- Strong experience implementing CI/CD pipelines for data platforms and dbtdeployments.
- Experience building and maintaining production-grade data pipelines with SLAs, monitoring, and reliability standards.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Fivetran (connector setup, ingestion patterns, schema management, troubleshooting).
- Experience with Airflow / Astronomer or similar orchestration tools.
- Exposure to data governance, lineage, and observability tools.
- Financial services / banking domain experience is strongly preferred and will be prioritized, though not mandatory.
About Cognizant:
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
