Principal Data Engineer, RELX Group

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A Deep Dive into the Principal Data Engineer Opportunity at Elsevier's Search and AI Platform

For ambitious data engineers seeking to make a tangible impact within a globally recognized information and analytics leader, this Principal Data Engineer role at Elsevier presents a compelling career advancement opportunity. Situated within the innovative Search and AI Platform team, you'll be instrumental in shaping the future of research and discovery, powering critical products like Scopus and ScienceDirect, and contributing to next-generation AI-driven research systems.

This is more than just a data engineering position; it's an invitation to architect and build the intelligent infrastructure that underpins cutting-edge scientific advancement. If you thrive on complex challenges and are passionate about leveraging data to solve real-world problems, this role warrants your serious consideration.

Key Advantages for Aspiring Candidates:

• Impactful Work: Directly contribute to products that empower the scientific community, enabling more effective collaboration, smarter working, and the efficient production of high-quality research. Your work will have a direct influence on how science is conducted and disseminated globally.
• Cutting-Edge Technology Stack: Gain extensive experience with a modern and diverse technology landscape, including Python, Java (Spring Boot), Spark, Airflow, various database technologies (search, graph, RDBMS, key-value stores), and data warehousing standards like Data Lake, Delta Lake, and Iceberg. This exposure ensures your skill set remains highly relevant and in demand.
• Cloud Infrastructure Development: Play a crucial role in building and managing cloud infrastructure on AWS, automating tasks, and ensuring the scalability and reliability of services. This offers a fantastic opportunity to deepen your expertise in cloud-native data engineering.
• Generative AI Integration: Contribute to the generation of embeddings using the latest AI models at scale, placing you at the forefront of AI advancements in data platforms.
• Focus on Best Practices: The role emphasizes clean code, secure engineering principles, and architectural design patterns, fostering a culture of high-quality software development and rapid, iterative delivery through CI/CD.
• Continuous Learning Environment: Elsevier actively encourages and supports learning new technologies, languages, and tools, recognizing the rapid evolution of the tech ecosystem. This commitment ensures your career growth and adaptability.
• Exceptional Work-Life Balance and Benefits: Elsevier demonstrates a strong commitment to employee well-being with flexible working hours, a comprehensive pension plan, allowances for home/office/commuting, generous vacation, sabbatical opportunities, and extensive parental and family care leave. A personal choice budget and numerous wellbeing initiatives further underscore their dedication to supporting your holistic needs.
• Contribution to Global Challenges: As part of a global leader, your work will align with solving grand challenges and contributing to a more sustainable future, offering a sense of purpose beyond technical execution.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Experience Depth Required: This is a Principal level role, necessitating strong commercial software engineering experience, particularly in delivering server-side applications. Significant experience with ETL, Spark, and Airflow is essential.
• Database Expertise: While the description mentions various database technologies, a solid understanding and practical experience across different database paradigms (relational, NoSQL, search, graph) will be critical for success.
• Architectural Acumen: Beyond coding, candidates should demonstrate a strong capability in architectural design patterns and the ability to design robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions.
• Problem-Solving and Innovation: The role calls for an innovative and passionate engineer who can translate business needs into intelligent and scalable solutions. A proactive approach to identifying and solving problems is highly valued.
• Collaborative Mindset: As part of a platform team, strong communication, collaboration, and an inclusive, positive mindset are crucial for working effectively with diverse teams and delivering real business value.
• Adaptability and Proactivity: While learning is encouraged, a proactive attitude towards staying ahead of industry trends and comfortably adopting new technologies will be key to thriving in this dynamic environment.

This Principal Data Engineer position at Elsevier is an outstanding opportunity for experienced professionals looking to leverage their technical expertise in a role that offers significant impact, continuous learning, and a supportive work environment. If you are driven by innovation and eager to contribute to the advancement of science and information, this role is an excellent step forward in your career journey.