Data Integration Lead Engineer

Job Title : Data Integration Lead Engineer Location : Durham, North Carolina Experience Required : 12+ Years Employment Type : Contract Interview Type : In-Person or Webcam Job Description We are seeking a highly experienced Data Integration Lead Engineer to oversee and drive enterprise data integration initiatives. This role involves architecting, designing, and implementing integration solutions across diverse data platforms and business applications. The ideal candidate will have hands-on technical expertise, strong leadership capability, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless data exchange, data quality, and system reliability. Key Responsibilities Lead the design, development, and deployment of complex data integration solutions across enterprise environments. Architect end-to-end data pipelines, ETL / ELT processes, and data flow frameworks using modern tools and platforms. Manage integration between cloud, on-premise, and hybrid environments. Ensure high data quality, reliability, security, and scalability throughout integration projects. Collaborate with data architects, application owners, and business users to define integration requirements and delivery timelines. Provide technical leadership, guidance, and best practices to engineering and project teams. Troubleshoot complex integration issues and optimize performance. Support planning, documentation, testing, and production release activities. Implement governance standards, automation practices, and compliance guidelines. Maintain expertise in emerging integration technologies and recommend improvements. Required Skills and Qualifications 12+ years of experience in data integration engineering, architecture, or similar technical roles. Strong experience with ETL / ELT tools such as Informatica, Talend, Mulesoft, DataStage, SSIS, or equivalent. Hands-on experience with cloud integration platforms (AWS Glue, Azure Data Factory, GCP Dataflow, etc. Deep expertise in SQL, stored procedures, relational and NoSQL databases. Strong knowledge of API integration, microservices, REST / SOAP, and message streaming technologies such as Kafka. Experience working with data warehousing and modern data platforms such as Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery, or Synapse. Proven ability to lead teams and manage complex data integration projects. Familiarity with CI / CD pipelines, DevOps practices, version control, and deployment automation. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. Experience working in Agile and collaborative team environments. Preferred Qualifications Experience with Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Governance frameworks. Background in financial, healthcare, telecom, or enterprise-scale environments. Relevant certifications in AWS, Azure, GCP, or integration tools.