Lead DSE Specialist

We are seeking a Lead DSE Specialist to become part of our team. This position is a strong match for a technically adaptable individual who feels at ease shifting between system administration, hands-on development, and architectural conversations. You will operate in an environment that prizes self-directed problem-solving and close interaction with client-side stakeholders. This role presents a meaningful chance to shape the ongoing development of a modern data ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Snowflake environment, covering warehouses, databases, resource monitors, and expense tracking
• Set up user accounts and roles while handling RBAC configuration, security settings, and permission structures throughout the platform
• Assist end users by diagnosing access problems, query performance bottlenecks, and data availability challenges
• Uphold rigorous governance standards across the platform to guarantee consistency and regulatory alignment
• Compose SQL statements covering both DDL work and analytical query needs
• Leverage and adjust existing CI/CD pipelines to facilitate Snowflake deployment processes
• Play a role in building semantic models, along with supporting QA and governance efforts
• Integrate AI functionality into Snowflake workflows, ideally through Cortex
• Work alongside the client's data architect to build out and expand the medallion architecture framework
• Weigh in on data modeling choices spanning the bronze, silver, and gold layers

Requirements

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience working with Snowflake or a comparable platform
• A minimum of one year spent guiding and managing teams
• Advanced SQL capabilities, covering DDL, intricate query construction, and performance optimization
• Background in administering Snowflake, encompassing RBAC, warehouse management, resource monitors, and security setup
• Practical data modeling knowledge, including the capacity to weigh in on medallion, dimensional, or vault methodologies and their respective trade-offs
• Real-world production experience with either dbt or Snowflake Streams & Tasks, going beyond surface-level exposure
• Familiarity with CI/CD practices, including ease in navigating and adapting pre-existing pipelines; knowledge of Terraform is beneficial, with at minimum a basic understanding of its role
• General development experience in any programming language, whether Python, Java, or JavaScript, demonstrating a builder's mentality rather than a strictly query-focused approach
• Hands-on exposure to AI/LLM applications within a data environment, with particular value placed on Snowflake Cortex familiarity
• Strong conceptual foundation in semantic modeling, quality assurance practices, and governance frameworks
• Ease in communicating directly with client-side stakeholders, such as architects and permanent staff, without relying on an intermediary team structure
• Excellent English communication skills (B2 level or higher)

Nice to have

• Background in data analysis to help generate insights and guide sound decision-making
• Working knowledge of Python for automation, scripting, or manipulating datasets