Individually we are people, but together we are Aviva. Individually these are just words, but together they are our Values – Care, Commitment, Community, and Confidence.
We are looking for a collaborative and resourceful Data Engineer Lead for our IT Data Engineering Delivery team at Aviva Canada. You are dedicated, naturally inquisitive and are comfortable in a fast-paced environment.
This role will be part of and a member of our Information Technology Enterprise Data Services Group. You will be responsible for leading the architecture, design, analysis, and implementation in a successful, and experienced team. You’ll be required to apply your depth of knowledge and expertise with both modern and legacy data platforms to develop data ecosystems that will meet business requirements and align with Aviva’s enterprise architecture goals and standards. Aviva has embarked on an exciting journey to modernize, craft, and build a next generation data platform Snowflake to support the growing data needs of the business and to enable the capabilities of AI, and GenAI to drive business value.
We embrace a culture challenging the status quo and constantly look to efficiently simplify processes, technology, and workflow.
This role reports to Senior Data Engineering Manager.
What you’ll do

As a Data Engineer Lead, you will play a pivotal role in driving the design, development, and delivery of scalable data solutions across the enterprise. You will:

• Advocate for engineering standards and process efficiencies to ensure high-quality, timely delivery.
• Lead the development of complex, high-performance data pipelines using tools like dbt Core/Cloud.
• Help design, and review data models (conceptual, logical, physical) that meet business and technical requirements.
• Own and maintain robust, reusable code in SQL, Python, Shell, and Terraform scripts.
• Develop detailed low-level engineering solution design documents to guide implementation and ensure alignment with technical standards.
• Create and review data test plans to ensure alignment with solution requirements.
• Advocate importance of data catalogs, data governance and data quality practices.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement effective solutions for technical data issues.
• Lead scrum ceremonies and foster an agile mindset across the team.
• Mentor and support Data Engineers and Associate Data Engineers, elevating engineering standards and practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality data products with strong customer-centric focus.
• Drive technical presentations and provide constructive feedback on data designs and processes.
• Plan and execute data release activities to ensure smooth and high-performance delivery.
• Support talent acquisition by designing interview challenges, conducting interviews, and contributing to hiring decisions.

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years of professional experience in data engineering, with a proven track record of delivering 5+ high-impact data projects from inception to warranty.
• Deep expertise in relational databases (Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Amazon Aurora), big data platforms (Hadoop), and NoSQL databases (MongoDB).
• Advanced proficiency in data visualization tools such as Snow sight, Streamlit, Qlik, and SAP Business Objects.
• Expert level coding skills in SQL, Python, Shell, and Terraform, with a focus on maintainability and performance.
• Experience with data orchestration and pipeline tools, including Zena and AWS Managed Airflow.
• High resilience and adaptability in ambiguous or high-pressure environments.
• A customer-first mindset, using data-driven insights to deliver impactful solutions.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders.
• Insurance knowledge is an asset -Ability to foundationally understand complex business processes driving technical systems.
• Prior experience in AI/ML model operationalization is an asset.
• Any or all of the following certifications will be nice to have:
• SnowPro Core
• SnowPro Advanced: Data Engineer (DEA-C01 or DEA-C02)
• dbt Developer
• AWS Cloud Practitioner

What you’ll get

• Compelling rewards package including base compensation, eligibility for annual bonus, retirement savings, share plan, health benefits, personal wellness, and volunteer opportunities.
• Outstanding Career Development opportunities.
• We’ll support your professional development education.
• Competitive vacation package with the option to purchase 5 extra days off per year.
• Employee driven programs focused on gender, LGBTQ+, origins, diversity, and inclusion.
• Corporate wellness programs to support our employees’ physical and mental health.
• Hybrid flexible work model.

Please note that we may use AI tools to help us through the recruitment process. This is a new position which has been posted both internally & externally.
Aviva Canada has an accommodation process in place to provide accommodations for employees with disabilities. If upon commencement of employment you require a specific accommodation because of a disability, please contact your Talent Acquisition Partner so that an appropriate accommodation can be arranged. This process applies throughout your career with Aviva Canada.

LI-PS1

LI-Hybrid

• Advocate for engineering standards and process efficiencies to ensure high-quality, timely delivery.
• Lead the development of complex, high-performance data pipelines using tools like dbt Core/Cloud.
• Help design, and review data models (conceptual, logical, physical) that meet business and technical requirements.
• Own and maintain robust, reusable code in SQL, Python, Shell, and Terraform scripts.
• Develop detailed low-level engineering solution design documents to guide implementation and ensure alignment with technical standards.
• Create and review data test plans to ensure alignment with solution requirements.
• Advocate importance of data catalogs, data governance and data quality practices.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement effective solutions for technical data issues.
• Lead scrum ceremonies and foster an agile mindset across the team.
• Mentor and support Data Engineers and Associate Data Engineers, elevating engineering standards and practices.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver high-quality data products with strong customer-centric focus.
• Drive technical presentations and provide constructive feedback on data designs and processes.
• Plan and execute data release activities to ensure smooth and high-performance delivery.
• Support talent acquisition by designing interview challenges, conducting interviews, and contributing to hiring decisions