Open to opportunities

Amelia Pessoa

@ameliapessoa

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Senior Data Engineer with broad cloud, distributed systems and full-stack software experience.

Brazil

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What I'm looking for

I seek senior-level data platform or distributed-systems roles where I can lead technical design, improve reliability, mentor teams, and drive scalable data solutions.

I am a Senior Data Engineer and technology leader with extensive experience building scalable data platforms, distributed query systems, and end-to-end software solutions for clients and organisations. I combine hands-on engineering — from connector and platform development to ETL and visualization — with strategic technical leadership as a founder and manager.

My career spans designing custom Trino connectors, implementing data mesh and reliable stream/batch platforms on AWS, and optimising large-scale data processing using technologies such as Spark, Kafka, Apache Iceberg, and modern orchestration tools. I have led cross-functional teams, collaborated directly with clients, and delivered production-grade architectures across multiple companies and freelance engagements.

I mentor and speak regularly at technical events, and I bring practical experience in cloud infrastructure, DevOps practices, and software engineering across Java, Python, and other stacks. I seek opportunities to drive data-driven decisions, improve platform reliability, and deliver performant, maintainable systems.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder & Tech Manager

Current

Artbiz

Jan 2014 - Present (11 years 11 months)

Provided technical and strategic leadership to build scalable software and data solutions, managing cross-functional teams and translating client needs into efficient architectures that supported business objectives.

Technical Leadership Software Architecture Data Engineering Team Management Docker Linux Git

Distributed Data Engineer

DDN via Stott and May

Apr 2025 - Oct 2025 (6 months)

Developed a custom Trino connector for a proprietary big data/AI database enabling distributed query execution and metadata federation, optimizing performance for large-scale datasets and ensuring Trino SPI compatibility.

Java SQL Docker Linux Performance Tuning Metadata Federation Maven

Senior Data Engineer

EqualExperts

Jul 2024 - Jan 2025 (6 months)

Designed, developed, and maintained a reliable data platform handling stream and batch workflows, performed data analysis, and produced visualizations to inform business decisions.

AWS Glue Athena S3 Python Spark Apache Iceberg AWS CDK Streamlit Docker

Senior Data Engineer

NearForm

Sep 2023 - Jul 2024 (10 months)

Built and maintained robust data platforms managing streaming and batch pipelines, leveraging AWS services and infrastructure-as-code for scalable data processing.

AWS Glue Athena Redshift Kinesis Terraform Python Airflow Kafka Spark

Senior Data Engineer

TripAdvisor

Jan 2022 - Aug 2023 (1 year 7 months)

Developed and maintained data platform capabilities including streams and batches and contributed to implementing a data mesh architecture to improve data ownership and scalability.

AWS Glue S3 Terraform Kubernetes Python Airflow Kafka DBT Apache Iceberg

Data and Software Engineer

Freelancer

Aug 2018 - Dec 2021 (3 years 4 months)

Delivered data integration and analysis solutions including ETL, web scraping, and dashboards while building software components across Java, Python, and mobile platforms for varied clients.

Airflow Pentaho Kafka Python Web Scraping Tableau Power BI Java Android

Mentor & Reviewer

Udacity

Aug 2016 - Nov 2021 (5 years 3 months)

Reviewed projects and mentored learners in data engineering, data science, Android development, and introductory programming, improving student outcomes and project quality.

Mentoring Code Review Data Engineering Data Science Android Python Feedback

Senior Consultant Developer

ThoughtWorks

Jan 2017 - Aug 2018 (1 year 7 months)

Delivered Android and backend software solutions, conducted agile consulting, architecture, requirement discovery, and performed code reviews and audits for client projects.

Android Kotlin Junit Mockito Espresso Architecture Agile Code Review

Software Engineer

Samsung SIDI / Cin UFPE

Aug 2015 - Oct 2016 (1 year 2 months)

Developed web and mobile software using Java, AngularJS, and Android, contributing to RESTful services and applying testing and CI practices to improve software quality.

Java AngularJS Android Spring Maven RESTful APIs Junit Hibernate Git

Data Software Engineer

ASA Brasil

May 2013 - Jul 2015 (2 years 2 months)

Built data solutions, performed data warehouse modeling and ETL, and delivered BI dashboards using Pentaho while contributing to software architecture and code reviews.

Pentaho Data Warehousing ETL Java Oracle PostgreSQL Subversion

Programmer

IPAD

Oct 2011 - May 2013 (1 year 7 months)

Developed enterprise software using Java, Flex, Struts and mobile technologies, participated in requirements analysis and software architecture for public-sector projects.