Senior Data Engineer

Xenon7 is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to support a life sciences client in Indianapolis, IN. In this contract role, you will own the architectural vision while also delivering hands-on engineering across scalable data platforms and pipelines that connect scientific and clinical informatics with manufacturing process and OT data.

The work includes a hybrid setup with 3 days onsite per week in the Indianapolis area, and the project is structured as a full-time contractor engagement through Xenon7.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and maintain production-grade data pipelines and data architecture for scientific, clinical trial, and research informatics datasets (small/large molecule, genomics, proteomics, LIMS).
• Structure complex multi-modal clinical and scientific datasets to support advanced analytics, enterprise reporting, and downstream machine learning model readiness.
• Ingest, harmonize, and model operational technology (OT) and manufacturing process datasets, including API manufacturing pipelines, batch processing data, MES, SCADA, and OSIsoft PI systems.
• Unify laboratory and facility data pipelines into centralized, highly available enterprise data platforms.
• Build robust ETL/ELT pipelines using modern cloud platforms such as Databricks, Snowflake, and AWS/Azure, with PySpark and SQL.
• Ensure all pipeline and integration work complies with enterprise governance, data residency, and GxP regulatory standards in a heavily monitored environment.
• Collaborate with process engineers, chemical engineering leads, and research informatics directors to translate operational friction into technical specifications.
• Set and promote engineering best practices, data modeling standards, and pipeline monitoring frameworks across the enterprise data stack.

Core Qualifications

• Senior-level experience (10–20+ years) across software development, data platform architecture, and complex ETL/ELT engineering.
• Proven ability to engineer pipelines across specialized, non-standard domains, including transitioning between process/chemical engineering data and clinical/scientific research informatics.
• Unrestricted US Work Authorization (no sponsorship available).
• Ability to work 3 days onsite per week in the Indianapolis, IN area.
• Strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and the ability to explain complex data architecture to cross-functional engineering teams.
• Advanced Python, PySpark, and expert-level SQL.
• Hands-on experience with Databricks, Snowflake, and/or AWS/Azure enterprise data ecosystems.
• Extensive experience with Airflow, dbt, Spark, and enterprise data orchestration engines.
• Track record building streaming and batch architectures via REST APIs, message brokers, and database integrations.
• Deep exposure to either scientific/clinical informatics (CDISC/SDTM, LIMS, clinical trials, multi-omics) or chemical/process engineering data (API manufacturing, batch data, SCADA, MES, OSIsoft PI).

Technologies

• Python, PySpark, SQL
• Databricks, Snowflake, AWS, Azure
• Airflow, dbt, Spark
• REST APIs, message brokers
• CDISC/SDTM, LIMS, MES, SCADA, OSIsoft PI

Location and Contract Details

• Location: Indianapolis, IN Metro (Hybrid / 3-Day Onsite)
• Travel flexibility: Open to regional/EST candidates with onsite travel
• Contract type: Contractor Full-Time / Enterprise Project Engagement (Outsourced via Xenon7)

Nice to Have

• Academic background in Chemical Engineering, Bio-process Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM discipline.
• Direct experience working in regulated GxP environments in the Life Sciences or Specialty Chemicals sectors.
• Certifications such as Databricks Certified Data Engineer Senior/Professional, Snowflake SnowPro Core/Advanced, or AWS Data Engineer Associate/Professional.

Role Scope Clarifications

• This is not a pure Data Scientist or ML Researcher position. You will not be building or training machine learning models.
• This is not a non-coding architecture role. The expectation is hands-on engineering leadership, including direct pipeline construction and technical execution.
• This is not fully remote. The role requires a hybrid commitment of 3 days onsite per week at the client site in Indianapolis.