Lead Data Engineer

The Data Engineer leads the design, development, and optimisation of modern cloud-based data platforms and pipelines to ensure the Commission delivers timely, accurate, and actionable insights. The role supports Directors in realising our vision of empowering stakeholders with trusted data products that drive effective decision-making. This position provides expert leadership across the end-to-end data lifecycle, ensuring best practice in architecture, modelling, governance, and quality. The Data Engineer plays a key role in managing risk, driving innovation, and building confidence in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s data capabilities to meet organisational and government priorities. Key duties and responsibilities Key Accountabilities Lead the design and delivery of enterprise data pipelines, models, and frameworks aligned with the Medallion architecture. Oversee development and optimisation of Snowflake and related cloud platforms, ensuring scalability, performance, and security. Lead design and architecture of dbt projects and data pipelines, ensuring maintainability and performance. Establish and implement streamlined data engineering processes, technical documentation, and metadata management practices. Define and enforce data governance policies, including integrity, quality frameworks, data tagging, and masking for compliance and trust.  Provide strategic advice to Directors, senior leadership, and external stakeholders, including representation in technical forums. Contribute to the technology roadmap and continuous improvement of data platforms and practices. Drive adoption of emerging tools, technologies, and methodologies to enhance data value and insights. Ensure effective communication and stakeholder engagement across the Commission. Mentor and guide data engineers, fostering collaboration, capability uplift, and knowledge sharing. Key Capabilities Extensive experience in data engineering across cloud platforms (Snowflake, Azure, or similar). Proven expertise in SQL, Python, and enterprise database technologies (SQL Server, Oracle). Proven experience leading end-to-end dbt initiatives, from design through deployment. Strong expertise in dbt model design patterns and Medallion architecture. Ability to review, optimise, and enforce standards across dbt projects for performance and maintainability. Experience with dbt testing frameworks, including automated data quality checks and monitoring. Skilled in dbt lineage and documentation practices to improve transparency and governance. Strong background in data pipeline orchestration (Azure DevOps, CI/CD, scheduling tools). Solid knowledge of metadata management, data governance, integrity, quality controls, tagging, and masking. Strong understanding of Snowflake integration with dbt, including security, performance, and compliance controls. Ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for senior leaders and stakeholders. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills. Demonstrated experience leading and mentoring technical teams, fostering innovation and best practice. Criteria The buyer has specified that each candidate must provide a one page pitch to address all criteria specified. This is equal to 5000 characters. Essential criteria Weighting 1. Capability to provide the goods or service Weighting: 60% 2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience Weighting: 40% Opportunity summary Sellers can submit Up to 1 candidate Number of sellers invited Fewer than 5 Number of candidates submitted Fewer than 10 Send us feedback About Accessibility Privacy Terms of use Disclaimer and copyright An initiative of the Digital Transformation Agency The Australian Government acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the Elders past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia