Northwestern Mutual

Senior Software Engineer

Northwestern Mutual$118K — $178K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in data engineering and operating data platforms at scale.
  • Proven leadership on large data projects with strong influencing abilities.
  • Hands-on experience with AWS data services like S3, Glue, Redshift, and more.
  • Strong programming skills in Python or Scala; proficiency in production-quality code.
  • Deep expertise in SQL for high-volume data optimization and query design.
  • Experience with Spark and modern ETL/ELT frameworks.
  • Proficiency with orchestration tools like Airflow and CI/CD practices for data pipelines.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design and delivery of AWS data platforms and pipelines for analytics and ML.
  • Define data architecture standards and maintain Architecture Decision Records.
  • Architect data lake and warehouse solutions using AWS services like S3 and Redshift.
  • Build and optimize ETL/ELT workflows using Spark and orchestration frameworks.
  • Establish and operationalize data quality and governance practices.
  • Implement security, compliance, and governance controls across data environments.
  • Mentor engineers and collaborate cross-functionally to enhance data engineering capabilities.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
  • 401(k) plan with company match and contributions.
  • Generous paid time off policy including vacation and personal days.
  • Flexible work environment with options for remote work.
  • Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
Full Job Description
What You'll do
- Lead the design and delivery of end-to-end data platforms and pipelines (batch and streaming) using AWS services to support analytics, reporting, ML, and operational use cases.
- Define and own data architecture decisions, standards, and best practices. Produce and maintain Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), runbooks, and high-quality diagrams.
- Architect and implement data lake and/or data warehouse solutions (ingestion, storage, transformation, serving) using S3, Glue, Redshift, Athena, and related services.
- Build and optimize ETL/ELT workflows with Spark, Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, and orchestration frameworks (Airflow, Dagster).
- Design and operate streaming ingestion and processing using Kinesis, MSK, and Kafka ecosystems; collaborate on re-architecture efforts to reduce cost and improve resilience.
- Drive data modeling, schema design, partitioning, and query optimization for large data sets to meet performance and cost targets.
- Establish and operationalize data quality, validation, observability, lineage, and metadata practices (Glue Data Catalog, Data Hub/Amundsen or equivalent).
- Implement robust security, governance, and compliance controls (IAM, Lake Formation, KMS, VPC, data masking/security scanning) and collaborate with security and privacy teams.
- Champion cost optimization across the data stack (serverless architectures, right-sizing, Graviton/spot/commitment strategies) and provide continuous cost governance.
- Own production reliability: monitoring, SLIs/SLOs, incident response, postmortems, and continuous improvements.
- Lead and mentor engineers, run design reviews, and promote cross-team collaboration with product, analytics, ML, and platform teams.
- Influence roadmap, capacity planning, and hiring for the data engineering function; represent the team in senior technical forums.

What You'll bring to the role
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in data engineering, architecting and operating data platforms at scale.
- Demonstrated leadership on large, complex data projects and strong ability to influence technical and product stakeholders.
- Extensive hands-on experience with AWS data services: S3, Glue, Redshift (Spectrum/RA3), Athena, EMR, Lambda, Kinesis/MSK, DMS.
- Strong programming skills in Python and/or Scala (or Java); proven track record writing production-quality, testable code.
- Deep expertise in SQL with experience designing and optimizing queries for high-volume data.
- Experience with distributed processing frameworks (Spark) and modern ETL/ELT patterns.
- Proficiency with orchestration and workflow tools (Airflow, Step Functions, Dagster) and CI/CD for data pipelines.
- Strong skills in infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, CloudFormation, or CDK) and GitOps practices.
- Experience implementing data security, governance, and access controls at scale.
- Expertise in observability, monitoring, and incident management (CloudWatch, Prometheus, Grafana, structured logging, tracing).
- Excellent communication skills and proven ability to mentor and lead engineers.

Preferred Qualifications
- AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect) or equivalent.
- Experience with data lakehouse technologies (Delta Lake, Iceberg, Databricks Unity Catalog), and large-scale performance troubleshooting.
- Familiarity with metadata and lineage tooling (Amundsen, DataHub, OpenLineage).
- Prior experience with cost-optimization programs (Graviton, serverless, spot instances) and demonstrable results.
- Contributions to open-source projects, publications, or conference presentations on data engineering topics.
- Experience working in regulated industries (finance, healthcare) and implementing compliance controls.

-AI usage for building Data Pipelines.

Skills You'll have
- Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and architectural judgment.
- Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and deliver high-quality work under deadlines.
- Strong mentoring and team leadership skills; fosters a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
- Customer-focused: translates business needs into pragmatic, maintainable technical solutions.
- Strong attention to detail, excellent documentation habits, and commitment to operational excellence.

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:
$118,960.00

Pay Range - End:
$178,440.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:
$130,880.00 USD - $196,320.00 USD

Structure 115:

$136,800.00 USD - $205,200.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It's why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you're living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

About Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual has been helping people and businesses achieve financial security for more than 160 years. Through a holistic planning approach, Northwestern Mutual combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience and industry-leading products to help its clients plan for what's most important. Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to millions with life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, and brokerage and advisory services. The company manages billion of dollars of investments owned by its clients and held or managed through its wealth management and investment services businesses. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

Northwestern Mutual Careers

Joining Northwestern Mutual presents a unique opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to empowering personal and professional growth, innovation, and leadership in the financial services industry. As a company renowned for its commitment to excellence and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, Northwestern Mutual offers unparalleled job opportunities for both seasoned professionals and those at the start of their careers.

Work You’ll Do

At Northwestern Mutual, we believe in building strong relationships not only with our clients but also among our team members. By joining our team, you will collaborate with some of the most talented professionals in the industry, all united in their commitment to leadership and innovation. Our employees are equipped with top-tier benefits and diversity training that ensure their career journey is both rewarding and inclusive.

Explore Professional Growth and Development

Northwestern Mutual is committed to fostering an environment where career growth is not just a possibility but a priority. With a variety of positions available, from financial representatives to internships for budding professionals, our company is a place where your skills and passion can thrive. We provide extensive training programs and leadership development opportunities that prepare you for success in your current role and beyond.

Innovative Work Environment

Our team at Northwestern Mutual is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology and innovative financial strategies to provide exceptional service to our clients. This focus on innovation is not just about staying current; it's about leading the way in the financial sector. Employees at all levels are encouraged to contribute ideas and take initiative, driving the company forward as a leader in the financial industry.

Be Part of Our Diverse and Inclusive Team

Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords at Northwestern Mutual; they are integral to our company culture and business strategy. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees can flourish. Our diversity training programs are designed to enhance understanding and foster an inclusive environment for all team members.

Networking and Career Advancement

Networking within Northwestern Mutual opens doors to expansive career advancement opportunities. We encourage our employees to engage in internal networking events, which often lead to mentorship and further career development. Whether you are looking to enhance your resume, prepare for an interview, or step into a leadership role, Northwestern Mutual provides the resources and support to help you achieve your professional goals.

Join Our Team

Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take their career to the next level. Explore the job opportunities and internships available at Northwestern Mutual and find out how you can contribute to our legacy of innovation and leadership.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Northwestern Mutual.

SEARCH NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL JOBS

Join us and start your journey at Northwestern Mutual today, where your career is nurtured, your skills are honed, and your achievements are celebrated.
Learn more about Northwestern Mutual
Size
7,000 employees
Industry

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