Principal Data Engineer, Data Architecture

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences.

Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry.

Rockstar is looking for a passionate Principal Data Engineer, Data Architecture to provide cross-team oversight and alignment as we continue to scale our data platform.

The ideal candidate will be skilled in bridging between data engineering and other partner teams, guiding the design and implementation of data pipelines and streaming systems while reinforcing best practices and engineering standards. The Principal Data Engineer, Data Architecture will partner closely with platform, data science, and other services teams to strength our engineering culture and ensure our data solutions are consistent, reliable and future-ready.

This is a full-time, in-office position based out of Rockstar’s NYC headquarters in Downtown Manhattan.

WHAT WE DO

• The Rockstar Data Engineering team provides insights and actionable results to a wide variety of teams across the organization in support of their decision making.

• We work with petabyte-scale data in Azure and Databricks, building both real-time and batch pipelines that power analytics, machine learning, and player experience improvements.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Architect and guide the implementation of real-time streaming and batch data pipelines in data platform. Assure platform architecture aligns with strategic business goals.

• Act as a bridge between data engineering teams and the larger data organization, aligning technical solutions with strategic platform goals. Partner with platform engineers, data scientists, and analytics teams to enable reliable, high-quality data for downstream use cases.

• Review and validate data engineering solutions designed by team members and partner teams to ensure scalability, reliability, cost efficiency, and compliance with enterprise standards.

• Define and maintain best practices for data engineering across pipelines, streaming systems, and orchestration.

• Evaluate emerging technologies, patterns, and frameworks in data engineering, proposing adoption where they bring measurable value.

REQUIREMENTS

• 10+ years in software engineering, including 3+ years in an architect or principal-level role in data adjacent domain.

• Ability to balance practical delivery with long-term architectural vision.

• Excellent communication and influence skills, able to provide constructive feedback and drive alignment across teams without direct authority.

• Strong software engineering background in data platforms or data platform adjacent applications.

• Experience mentoring and guiding engineers, with a focus on code quality, testing, and best practices.

• Proven track record designing real-time and batch data pipelines at enterprise scale.

• Strong understanding of distributed data systems, data modeling, and data governance.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

• Experience with Databricks and Azure.

• Strong understanding of Data Governance, Data Privacy, and role-based access control.

• Experience working in the video game industry.

• Avid gamer with a passion for Rockstar Games titles.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a resume and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please notify your recruiter during the interview process.

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.

The pay range for this position in New York State (inclusive of New York City) at the start of employment is expected to be between the range below* per year. However, base pay offered is based on market location, and may vary further depending on individualized factors for job candidates, such as job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other objective business considerations.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or equity awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

*NY Base Pay Range
$133,900—$198,160 USD