Lead Data Platform Engineer

About Us

The Ontario Cannabis Store provides safe, responsible access to recreational cannabis for adults 19 and older. We operate the sole legal online store for recreational cannabis in Ontario and are the provincial wholesaler of cannabis for private retail stores.

Working at the OCS is a unique opportunity to be part of an agile start-up in a ground-breaking new industry. We're a diverse team passionate about delivering a great customer experience, working together with mutual respect and building value out of our differences. We're an inclusive organization that understands that delivering great results comes out of ensuring every voice is heard.

About the Role

We're looking for a Lead Data Platform Engineer to join our Enterprise Data & Analytics team. In this senior technical role, you'll be responsible for the development, optimization, and ongoing evolution of our Modern Data Platform (MDP). You'll design and implement scalable data engineering solutions that power both analytical and operational needs across multiple projects and initiatives.

As the technical expert, you'll lead the design of data solutions, data models, and ETL pipelines for business-critical operations. You'll provide technical leadership to the data engineering team, ensuring alignment with enterprise IT strategy, modern development practices, and industry standards. Partnering closely with senior IT stakeholders, you'll translate strategic goals into technical requirements and successful implementations.

This role is also recognized internally as a Subject Matter Expert, sought after for technical thought leadership. You'll continuously look for opportunities to optimize platform design, architecture, and ingestion pipelines, while evaluating emerging technologies. Along the way, you'll mentor engineering staff and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.

About Your Day

• Oversee the continuous enrichment and refinement of our Modern Data Platform (MDP) by creating and reviewing development plans and provide guidance to Data Engineers on the execution and implementation approach.
• Ensure alignment of technical solutions with IT Strategy, development best practices, modern engineering standards including CI/CD, agile methodologies, and test-driven development.
• Establish and enforce coding standards, documentation quality, and automated testing frameworks across the data engineering team.
• Validate and challenge technical solutions, ensuring robustness, scalability, and alignment with business outcomes.
• Lead the design and integration of complex data systems ensuring scalable, secure, and performant data solutions.
• Thoroughly review and vet the work of Data Engineers to ensure that codes are aligned with proper technical principals including code sustainability and code quality.
• Enhance and evolve the MDP to be the central hub for enterprise data, ensuring it meets current and future analytical, operational, and data science needs of the organization
• Design and implement data models, metadata frameworks, and integration patterns that support advanced analytics, machine learning, and business intelligence.
• Lead the technical delivery of business-critical data applications and data services, managing competing priorities and resource constraints effectively.
• Ensure platform reliability and performance through proactive monitoring, optimization, and collaboration with DevOps and Infrastructure teams.
• Identify and evaluate emerging technologies to enhance platform capabilities, drive innovation, and solve complex business problems.
• Conduct technical investigations into data breaches or data errors that result in organizational reputation risk
• Foster relationships within the IT department to elicit business outcomes and resulting data technology implementation requirements
• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the data domain and the go-to-person for technical expertise in the data platform ecosystem.
• Present alternatives and recommendations for critical technology decisions, balancing long-term vision with immediate delivery needs.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in mathematics, Statistics, Computer Sciences, Information Technology or related area OR combination of education and experience (Master's degree is preferred)
• 8+ years of progressive experience in data architectural or engineering capacity
• 3-4 years of experience in a Senior/Staff/Principal role or similar level of responsibilities, including reviewing architecture diagrams and standards of junior staff
• 3-4 years of technical management of Data Platforms
• Hands on experience in Python, Apache Spark, SQL, Stored Procedures, Spark SQL, Microsoft Azure, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory, Azure Functions, big data technology, data modelling, and distributed multi-tier systems
• Experience with ETL tools/ ETL flows with complex Transformations/Routines using Python
• Significant experience of the above within the Retail or B2B Systems industry is an asset
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is preferred
• Expertise in designing and implementing data products, services, and platforms
• Ability to work with Cloud Infrastructure covering data sourcing, data warehouse and modelling
• Ability to work with Azure Logic Apps, Azure Function Apps, Azure Data Factories/Synapse Pipelines, SQL Stored Procedures, and Databricks
• Ability to work in Agile methodology

About the Job

• Location: Toronto, ON near York Mills and Yonge Street
• Hours of Work: 36.25 a week
• Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
• Required Travel: Rare, usually within the GTA

Compensation

The target hiring range for this position is $110,000 - $120,000. This is a pay grade 7 role, with a salary range of $82, $123, Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

We are committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive candidate and employee experience. We provide reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process and in employment. If you require an accommodation please let us know, we will work with you to meet your needs.