Senior Data Engineer

Location: New York, United States (Hybrid) 

Hybrid | Full-time

Compensation: $180K - $320K

Our client is a high-volume decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol based on Arbitrum, facilitating leveraged trading of real-world assets—including commodities, forex, indices, and equities—alongside crypto with full self-custody.

The client is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to spearhead infrastructure initiatives, optimize high-throughput data processing, and establish modern data engineering best practices. This role will focus on scaling data pipelines and building an advanced infrastructure layer that empowers engineering teams with self-service capabilities for deploying applications, requesting infrastructure, and managing monitoring systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Pipeline Optimization: Refine, maintain, and scale a high-throughput data pipeline to support complex, high-volume trading infrastructure.
• Architecture & Latency Management: Lower latency on critical path applications through system optimization, architectural enhancements, and direct application code development.
• Developer Tooling & Orchestration: Mature and enhance an in-house testing and validation stack to allow developers to run applications locally across multiple environments and parallel agents.
• Best Practices & Self-Service: Define organization-wide data standards, guide cross-functional software engineers on pipeline leverage, and enable 90% self-service infrastructure autonomy across the team.
• System Reliability & Security: Maintain a security-first approach by identifying attack vectors, coordinating simulated system security testing, and maintaining rigorous platform stability using AI tools and comprehensive test suites.

Technical Experience

• Strong background in data modeling frameworks (e.g., dbt, SQLMesh) and data orchestration platforms (e.g., Airflow, Dagster, Prefect).
• Production experience with databases such as PostgreSQL and ClickHouse.
• Deep understanding of modern data pipeline architectures, distributed systems, and industry best practices.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI acceleration tools while validating outputs and implementing strict code quality guardrails.

Professional Characteristics

• Security-Minded: Continuous focus on reducing attack surfaces and protecting system integrity.
• Solution-Oriented: Focused on removing technical bottlenecks to allow software and quantitative teams to deploy rapidly.
• Self-Directed Leadership: Capability to evaluate system requirements, prioritize high-value initiatives, and proactively propose architectural roadmaps.
• Collaborative & Adaptable: Willingness to learn from quants, engineers, and operations teams in an evolving, high-performance environment.
• Execution & Commitment: Ability to advocate for technical strategies during design stages, with a strong commitment to aligned execution upon final decision.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Equity ownership package.
• Network token allocation.

Interview Process

1. Hiring Manager Interview: Initial discussion with the Backend Team Lead.
2. Technical Interview 1: System Design session.
3. Technical Interview 2: Practical AI Coding round.
4. Final Interview: Strategy and culture alignment call with the Chief Technology Officer.

• Competitive base salary.
• Comprehensive token and equity compensation package.
• Opportunity to work at the forefront of global decentralized financial infrastructure.

Interview Process

The interview process is structured across four distinct stages:

1. Hiring Manager Interview: An introductory conversation with the Backend Team Lead.
2. Technical Interview (System Design): A deep dive into architecture and infrastructure systems design.
3. Technical Interview (AI Coding Round): A practical hands-on session evaluating technical problem-solving and AI tool utilization.
4. Final Interview: A concluding discussion focused on cultural alignment and executive evaluation with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate, we regret that we are unable to provide individual feedback to all candidates. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks of your application, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. We genuinely appreciate your interest and wish you the best in your job search.

Commitment to Equality and Accessibility:

At MLabs, we are committed to offer equal opportunities to all candidates. We ensure no discrimination, accessible job adverts, and providing information in accessible formats. Our goal is to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace with equal opportunities for all. If you need any reasonable adjustments during any part of the hiring process or you would like to see the job-advert in an accessible format please let us know at the earliest opportunity by emailing [email protected].

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