Data Engineer 1 - Chicago, IL OR Reston, VA - ONSITE (4 days per week)

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we're making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Data Engineer to design, build, and optimize scalable, high-performance data pipelines. The ideal candidate will have expertise in big data processing frameworks, data storage technologies, and monitoring platforms while thriving in a collaborative, fast-moving environment. If you are a problem solver, a mentor, and someone who enjoys pushing the boundaries of data engineering, this is the opportunity for you!
Job Description
Core Responsibilities:

• Own the complete software development lifecycle-from design to deployment-of scalable batch and streaming data pipelines to ingest and transform large datasets from various sources.

• Optimize streaming and batch data processing to ensure performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.

• Monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and implement solutions to ensure high availability and reliability.

• Maintain and enhance FreeWheel's internal monitoring platform, ensuring comprehensive observability and operational excellence for the entire Streaming Hub and Audience Platform.

• Collaborate with product managers and stakeholders to understand data requirements and deliver solutions that drive business impact.

• Effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

• Stay ahead of emerging data engineering technologies and best practices, identifying opportunities to improve processes, tools, and infrastructure.

• Document data pipelines, processes, and systems to ensure clarity and maintainability.

• Must be available to work Eastern Standard Time (EST) hours and be open to variable schedules, including nights, weekends, and overtime as needed.

• Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.

• Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) as necessary.

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Familiarity with programming languages, including Scala, Java, Python, and SQL.

• Exposure to big data processing frameworks, such as Apache Flink, Apache Spark (Batch & Streaming), and Databricks Delta Live Tables (DLT).

• Understanding of data storage technologies, including AWS S3, Delta Lake, Apache Iceberg, Hadoop HDFS, and Apache Druid.

• Familiarity with Data Lakehouse architectures, data modeling techniques, ETL processes, and relational databases (e.g., MySQL).

• Basic Knowledge of Data Modeling techniques and Relational databases such as MySQL

• Exposure to AWS services such as EMR and Lambda and workflow orchestration tools such as Airflow

• Awareness of NoSQL databases and their pros and cons

• Strong problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with technical and non-technical teams.

• Generalist mindset with the ability to work across different technology stacks and polyglot programming skills, demonstrating fluency in multiple programming languages beyond primary expertise.

Employees at all levels are expected to:

• Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job.
• Own the customer experience - think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services.
• Know your stuff - be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences.
• Win as a team - make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas.
• Be an active part of the Net Promoter System - a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company - by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers.
• Drive results and growth.
• Respect and promote inclusion & diversity.
• Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities.

Why Join FreeWheel?
Cutting-Edge Technology: Work with modern data stacks, cloud platforms, and real-time processing frameworks.
Innovation-Driven Culture: Collaborate with top engineers, data scientists, and industry leaders shaping the future of ad tech.
Growth & Impact: Solve complex, large-scale data challenges with tens of billions of daily events in a high-impact role.
Flexible & Inclusive Work Environment: We value diverse perspectives, work-life balance, and professional development.
About FreeWheel
FreeWheel, a Comcast company, is a global leader in advanced advertising technology, enabling seamless transactions across screens, data types, and sales channels. Operating in nine countries, FreeWheel powers global ad insertion and recently launched Universal Ads, a cross-publisher TV advertising platform in collaboration with major media players like NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Roku. Committed to innovation, inclusivity, and professional growth, FreeWheel fosters a dynamic work environment where diverse perspectives thrive while shaping the future of premium video advertising.
About the FreeWheel Data Team
The FreeWheel Data Team is a global, high-impact engineering team focused on building scalable, high-performance, and efficient data platforms. We develop solutions to ingest, transform, organize, and distribute vast volumes of advertising and audience data, enabling a Unified Data Lake and Data Warehouse that powers customer-facing products, machine learning applications, and real-time analytics.
We process tens of billions of ad events daily, leveraging a modern data stack that includes Databricks, AWS, Apache Spark, ClickHouse, Snowflake, and Looker. We are looking for talented Data Engineers who thrive on solving complex data challenges, working with cutting-edge technologies, and contributing to a collaborative, innovation-driven team. If you're passionate about scaling data infrastructure, optimizing pipelines, and extracting insights from massive datasets, this is the opportunity for you!
Disclaimer:This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications.
Comcast is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Skills:
Data Engineering; Structured Query Language (SQL); Python (Programming Language)
Salary:
Primary Location Pay Range: $71,903.29 - $107,854.93
Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.
Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That's why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality - to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.
Relevant Work Experience
0-2 Years