Senior Staff Data Engineer, Data Platform

This is a hybrid role based in Chicago or our Bay Area (San Francisco or Palo Alto) offices and will require you to be in office Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What’s so interesting about this role?

The big data space is growing rapidly at Grindr and we’re looking to build an exceptional data engineering team with chops in cutting edge real-time streaming technologies and ambitions to achieve high quality and reliability with TDD, automation, and continuous delivery. Beyond pipelines, this role is about shaping the platforms and tools that empower our data scientists and machine learning engineers to do their best work.

As a Senior Staff Data Engineer (Data Platform), you’ll play a critical role in defining what “great” looks like for our data platform. You’ll focus on creating a seamless development experience for DS and ML engineers, ensuring they can move quickly from idea to production with reliable, scalable systems behind them. At this level, you’ll not only solve complex technical challenges—you’ll also mentor other engineers and influence the long-term direction of Grindr’s data platform.

What’s the job?

• Design, develop, and deliver scalable data platforms that enhance the developer experience for data scientists and ML engineers.

• Solve technical problems of the highest scope and complexity, influencing platform direction and architecture across teams.

• Connect tools and systems into cohesive, automated workflows that eliminate repetitive work and unlock faster experimentation.

• Lead implementation of core platform technologies like dbt (from the ground up), Airflow (critical), and distributed computing frameworks (Spark, Databricks, or similar).

• Drive adoption of long-term, scalable solutions instead of one-off fixes.

• Provide mentorship for engineers on your team and across the org.

• Stay on top of new technologies through R&D and prototyping to continuously improve developer experience, scalability, and reliability.

• Ensure governance and compliance standards are met around data representation, storage, classification, and retention.

• Work closely with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, SREs, and Product Managers to make sure platforms and APIs meet real user needs.

What we'll love about you

• 10+ years of experience working with data at scale, with a strong focus on data platforms and developer experience.

• Expert in Python and SQL, with significant experience in distributed data systems.

• Hands-on experience with Airflow (must-have) and dbt (able to set up from scratch).

• Strong knowledge of Spark, Databricks, or other distributed computing platforms for ML training.

• Experience with AWS and cloud-native architectures.

• Background in software engineering with a transition into data engineering preferred - able to apply SWE rigor to data platform design.

• Demonstrated ability to enhance developer experience - for example, building holistic automated solutions rather than one-off tables or fixes.

• Track record of mentorship and technical leadership at the organizational level.

• Familiar with data governance, classification, retention, and compliance frameworks (SOC2, GDPR, CCPA).

What you'll love about us

• Mission and Impact: Grindr is building the global gayborhood in your pocket. Your role will impact the lives of millions of LGBTQ+ people around the world. Through our success, we are making a world where the lives of our community are free, equal, and just.

• Family Insurance: Insurance premium coverage for health, dental, and vision for you and partial coverage for your dependents.

• Retirement Savings: Generous 401K plan with 6% match and immediate vest in the U.S.

• Compensation: Industry-competitive compensation and eligibility for company bonus and equity programs.

• Queer-Inclusive Benefits: Industry-leading gender-affirming offerings with up to 90% cost coverage, access to Included Health, monthly stipends for HRT, and more.

• Additional Benefits: Flexible vacation policy, monthly stipends for cell phone, internet, wellness, food, and commuting, breakfast/lunch provided onsite, and yearly travel & leisure stipend.

About Grindr

Grindr is building the global gayborhood in your pocket. With more than 13.5 million monthly active users, Grindr has become a fundamental part of the LGBTQ+ community and is charting a path to make the world more free, equal, and just. Since 2015, Grindr for Equality has advanced safety, health, and human rights for millions of Grindr users and the global LGBTQ+ community in partnership with more than 100 community organizations in every region of the world.

Our next evolution is underway as a public company that continues to grow and build meaningful experiences for our users. From social issues to product innovations, we’re setting audacious goals for our community and the business, and leveraging the latest tech stacks and a culture of engineering excellence to make it happen. At the heart of our work in this new chapter is a shared set of operating principles centered around cultivating curiosity, thinking big, setting and expediting our ambitious goals, and growing through iteration; all while keeping our users #1.

Grindr is headquartered in West Hollywood, California, with offices in the Bay Area, Chicago, and New York. With a track record of strong financial performance and plans for continued headcount growth, we’re building a team of talented, passionate, and open-minded people who want to disrupt the dating app space, innovate products, and advance LGBTQ+ culture. Come be a part of this exciting journey with us.

Grindr is an equal-opportunity employer

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