Staff Data Engineer- Data Architect

About the Staff Data Engineer, Data Architect at Headspace:

At Headspace, our mission is to transform mental healthcare to improve the health and happiness of the world. Core to this mission is our ability to responsibly and ethically leverage data to provide personalized care to each of our members, meeting them where they are on the mental health continuum. We’re looking for an experienced Data Architect who can also operate hands-on as a Staff Data Engineer. You will design and evolve our domain-based Enterprise Data Model (EDM), lead Master Data Management (MDM) initiatives, and build production-grade data pipelines in Python / PySpark. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable whiteboarding conceptual models, building and reviewing ETL jobs, and coaching engineering teams on data architecture best practices.

Location: We are currently hiring this role in San Francisco (hybrid), Los Angeles (hybrid)/remote), New York City (remote) and Seattle (remote). Candidates must permanently reside in the US full-time and be based in these cities.

What you will do:

• Lead the Development of Scalable Data Infrastructure: Drive the architecture and implementation of cutting-edge pySpark data pipelines to ingest and transform diverse datasets into the organization’s data lake in a fault-tolerant, robust system.
• Set Design Patterns: Drive the creation and enforcement of standard conventions in code, architecture, schema design, and table design.

• Architect World-Class Data Platforms: Design and lead the evolution of secure, compliant, and privacy-forward data warehousing platforms to support the unique demands of the healthcare industry.
• Strategic Collaboration for Business Insights: Partner with analytics, product, and engineering leaders to ensure the data ecosystem provides actionable and reliable insights into critical business metrics.
• Champion Data-Driven Leadership: Mentor other members of the DE and broader data team, particularly around dbt architecture and query performance., Foster a data-first culture that prioritizes excellence, innovation, and collaboration across teams.
• Influence Organizational Strategy: Act as a technical thought leader, shaping the company’s data strategy and influencing cross-functional roadmaps with data-centric solutions.

What you will bring:

• 7+ years in data engineering / architecture, with 2+ years leading EDM/MDM programs and a proven track record of leading high-impact initiatives at scale.
• Proven ability to create and maintain domain-based enterprise data models (canonical, hub-and-spoke, data-product-oriented).
• Deep expertise with data-modeling tools (erwin, ER/Studio, PowerDesigner, or equivalent) and modeling techniques (3NF, Dimensional, Data Vault, Anchor).
• Production experience writing performant Python and PySpark code on distributed compute (Spark 3+, Delta Lake).
• Strong SQL skills across columnar and relational engines (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift, Databricks SQL, Postgres).
• Solid grasp of data-governance practices: lineage, glossaries, PII/PHI controls, and data- quality frameworks.
• Ability to articulate architecture choices to both executive stakeholders and hands-on engineers.
• Deep experience designing and optimizing real-time and batch ETL pipelines (preferably within dbt), employing best practices for scalability and reliability.
• Systems thinker who can balance near-term delivery with long-term architecture vision.
• Comfortable in highly collaborative, agile environments; able to mentor cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to translate complex data topics into plain language.
• Bias for automation, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Nice-To-Haves:

• Hands-on with Databricks platform (Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, MLflow).
• dbt Core for transformation, tests, and metadata; dbt Semantic Layer experience is a plus.
• Exposure to event streaming (Kafka, EventHub) and CDC tools.
• Experience integrating with commercial MDM suites or building custom match-merge solutions.
• Familiarity with cloud data-platform services on AWS (Terraform).
• Background in data-privacy standards (GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA) and differential-privacy or tokenization techniques.

Pay Benefits:

The anticipated new hire base salary range for this full-time position is $140,400-$224,250 + equity + benefits.

Our salary ranges are based on the job, level, and location, and reflect the lowest to highest geographic markets where we are hiring for this role within the United States. Within this range, individual compensation is determined by a candidate’s location as well as a range of factors including but not limited to: unique relevant experience, job-related skills, and education or training.
Your recruiter will provide more details on the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

At Headspace, base salary is but one component of our Total Rewards package. We’re proud of our robust package inclusive of: base salary, stock awards, comprehensive healthcare coverage, monthly wellness stipend, retirement savings match, lifetime Headspace membership, generous parental leave, and more. Additional details about our Total Rewards package will be provided during the recruitment process.

About Headspace

Headspace exists to provide every person access to lifelong mental health support. We combine evidence-based content, clinical care, and innovative technology to help millions of members around the world get support that’s effective, personalized, and truly accessible whenever and wherever they need it.

At Headspace, our values aren’t just what we believe, they’re how we work, grow, and make an impact together. We live them daily: Make the Mission Matter, Iterate to Great, Own the Outcome, and Connect with Courage. These values shape our decisions, guide our collaborations, and define our culture. They’re our shared commitment to building a more connected, human-centered team—one that’s redefining how mental health care supports people today and for generations to come.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• A mission that matters—with impact you can see and feel
• A culture that’s collaborative, inclusive, and grounded in our values
• The chance to shape what mental health care looks like next
• Competitive pay and benefits that support your whole self

How we feel about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:

Headspace is committed to bringing together humans from different backgrounds and perspectives, providing employees with a safe and welcoming work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We strive to create a diverse inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, feel a sense of belonging, and do impactful work together.

As an equal opportunity employer, we prohibit any unlawful discrimination against a job applicant on the basis of their race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, family or parental status, disability*, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We respect the laws enforced by the EEOC and are dedicated to going above and beyond in fostering diversity across our workplace.

*Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Headspace. Please inform our Talent team by filling out this form if you need any assistance completing any forms or to otherwise participate in the application or interview process.

Headspace participates in the E-Verify Program.

Privacy Statement

All member records are protected according to ourPrivacy Policy. Further, while employees of Headspace (formerly Ginger) cannot access Headspace products/services, they will be offered benefits according to the company's benefit plan. To ensure we are adhering to best practice and ethical guidelines in the field of mental health, we take care to avoid dual relationships. A dual relationship occurs when a mental health care provider has a second, significantly different relationship with their client in addition to the traditional client-therapist relationship—including, for example, a managerial relationship.

As such, Headspace requests that individuals who have received coaching or clinical services at Headspace wait until their care with Headspace is complete before applying for a position. If someone with a Headspace account is hired for a position, please note their account will be deactivated and they will not be able to use Headspace services for the duration of their employment.

Further, if Headspace cannot find a role that fails to resolve an ethical issue associated with a dual relationship, Headspace may need to take steps to ensure ethical obligations are being adhered to, including a delayed start date or a potential leave of absence. Such steps would be taken to protect both the former member, as well as any relevant individuals from their care team, from impairment, risk of exploitation, or harm.

For how how we will use the personal information you provide as part of the application process, please see: https://www.headspace.com/applicant-notice

Hybrid