Freelance Databricks Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Guidehouse is seeking a Databricks Data Engineer to join our AI & Data team to support client projects involving large-scale data pipelines, data transformation, platform modernization, and advanced analytics and AI solution delivery. This role focuses on designing, building, and maintaining scalable data solutions using Databricks, Spark, SQL, Python, Delta Lake, and related cloud-native technologies. The role requires hands-on technical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate with clients and cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, secure, and well-documented data engineering solutions.

This position offers virtual work flexibility within the United States. While remote candidates will be considered, preference will be given to candidates located near a Guidehouse office in one of the following markets: Arlington, VA; Washington, DC; New York, NY; Chicago, IL; Austin, TX; Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; and Boulder, CO.

Please note, this requisition supports hiring across multiple levels to support our Databricks Data Engineer Teams. The posted salary range represents a range of potential compensation and will vary based on the selected candidate's experience, qualifications, location, and the level at which the position is filled.

What You Will Do:

• Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines using Databricks, PySpark, SQL, Delta Lake, and related cloud-native data engineering tools.

• Develop and support batch and streaming data workflows, including ingestion, transformation, validation, and publishing of curated data products.

• Write, optimize, and maintain Python, PySpark, and SQL code for data processing, orchestration, and performance tuning.

• Work with large-scale datasets using Databricks, Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, and cloud storage services.

• Troubleshoot and resolve data pipeline failures, performance issues, data quality issues, and workflow bottlenecks.

• Translate business and technical requirements into data engineering designs, processing scripts, and job orchestration workflows.

• Perform data validation, quality checks, code reviews, and issue resolution to support accurate and reliable data products.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including solution architects, data scientists, analysts, DevOps engineers, and client stakeholders.

• Communicate technical concepts, delivery impacts, and data engineering considerations to technical and non-technical audiences.

• Document pipelines, datasets, data models, workflows, and engineering decisions to support maintainability, transparency, and reuse.

• Follow data governance, security, lineage, and compliance standards within the Databricks platform.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degreein computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or another relevant field.

• 3-8 years of relevant experience in data engineering, data architecture, or cloud data platform implementation.

• Strong experience with Python, PySpark, and SQL for data transformation, pipeline development, and data processing.

• Experience with Databricks, Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, or similar cloud-native data platforms.

• Experience developing batch or streaming data pipelines, ETL/ELT workflows, and reusable data assets.

• Experience with data modeling, data warehousing, data quality validation, and large-scale data processing concepts.

• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues, communicate engineering recommendations clearly, and work effectively in team-based delivery environments.

• Experience applying data governance, access control, lineage, and security practices within cloud data platforms.

What Would Be NicetoHave:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience with the Databricks platform.

• Experience using Unity Catalog for data governance, schema design, data modeling standards, access controls, lineage, and secure management of enterprise data assets.

• Experience designing and building standard medallion data architectures for scalable ingestion, transformation, quality validation, and curated data delivery.

• Active Databricks Data Engineer Associate, Databricks Data Engineer Professional, or related certification.

• Experience with CI/CD tools and practices for notebooks, workflows, orchestration jobs, and infrastructure deployment.

• Experience with cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or GCP.

• Experience working in project-based or consulting delivery environments.

• Familiarity with streaming frameworks, orchestration tools, Terraform, or related data platform administration capabilities.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at RecruitingAccommodation@guidehouse.com. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or guidehouse@myworkday.com. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse. Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse's Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact recruiting@guidehouse.com. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant's dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.