Principal Data Engineer

Job Description

The Principal Data Engineer defines the long-term technical vision and enterprise architecture for data platforms supporting analytics, AI/ML, and regulated healthcare systems. This role serves as the highest-level technical authority in data engineering, driving innovation, governance, and cross-organizational alignment.

• Define enterprise-wide data architecture and long-term technical roadmap.
• Lead large-scale modernization and transformation initiatives.
• Establish governance frameworks for data architecture, scalability, and compliance.
• Partner with executive leadership to align data platform strategy with business objectives.
• Make final architectural decisions on critical data platform investments.
• Represent data engineering strategy in executive and cross-functional forums.
• Mentor Senior Staff engineers and shape technical career standards.
• Drive innovation while balancing risk, compliance, and operational stability.
• Perform other duties that support the overall objective of the position.

Education Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related field.
• Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position.

Experience Required

• 15+ years of experience architecting and scaling enterprise data systems, including leadership of organization-wide technical strategy.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of: Enterprise architecture frameworks. Large-scale distributed systems and streaming architectures. AI/ML data ecosystem design. Healthcare regulatory and governance environments.
• Skill in: Enterprise technical strategy development. Executive-level communication. Complex systems evaluation and modernization. Cross-organizational influence.
• Ability to: Set enterprise technical direction. Influence executive and organizational decision-making. Lead transformation across multiple engineering domains. Balance innovation with long-term sustainability.

The company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the company may deem appropriate.

NextGen Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.