Design, develop, and maintain PySpark applications and ETL pipelines to process, transform, and integrate large-scale datasets from SQL, NoSQL, data lakes, and streaming sources. Optimize Spark job performance, implement robust error handling, and collaborate with data analysts, scientists, and architects using orchestration tools like Airflow or Luigi.
Job Title: PySpark Data Engineer
Summary:
We are seeking a skilled PySpark Data Engineer to join our team and drive the development of robust data processing and transformation solutions within our data platform. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining PySpark-based applications to handle complex data processing tasks, ensure data quality, and integrate with diverse data sources. The ideal candidate possesses strong PySpark development skills, experience with big data technologies, and the ability to work in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities: Data Engineering Development:- Design, develop, and test PySpark-based applications to process, transform, and analyze large-scale datasets from various sources, including relational databases, NoSQL databases, batch files, and real-time data streams.
- Implement efficient data transformation and aggregation using PySpark and relevant big data frameworks.
- Develop robust error handling and exception management mechanisms to ensure data integrity and system resilience within Spark jobs.
- Optimize PySpark jobs for performance, including partitioning, caching, and tuning of Spark configurations.
- Collaborate with data analysts, data scientists, and data architects to understand data processing requirements and deliver high-quality data solutions.
- Analyze and interpret data structures, formats, and relationships to implement effective data transformations using PySpark.
- Work with distributed datasets in Spark, ensuring optimal performance for large-scale data processing and analytics.
- Design and implement ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes to ingest and integrate data from various sources, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and performance.
- Integrate PySpark applications with data sources such as SQL databases, NoSQL databases, data lakes, and streaming platforms
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in big data development, preferably with exposure to data-intensive applications.
- Strong understanding of data processing principles, techniques, and best practices in a big data environment.
- Proficiency in PySpark, Apache Spark, and related big data technologies for data processing, analysis, and integration.
- Experience with ETL development and data pipeline orchestration tools (e.g., Apache Airflow, Luigi).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with data analysts, data architects, and other team members.
Photon Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
11 East Adams Street Suite 1100, Chicago, IL, United States, 60603
Similar Jobs
Blockchain • Fintech • Payments • Financial Services • Cryptocurrency • Web3
Lead full-cycle recruiting for Finance and core business roles, partner with hiring leaders and cross-functional teams, maintain TA systems, and build/test agentic AI bots and Skills using Claude Code/OpenAI Codex to automate recruiting workflows and improve process quality, governance, and candidate experience.
Top Skills:
Claude CodeGemGoogle WorkspaceLinkedin RecruitermacOSModernloopOpenai CodexSlackWorkday
Big Data • Food • Hardware • Machine Learning • Retail • Automation • Manufacturing
Lead SnackFutures Ventures investments in early and growth-stage companies, manage deal sourcing, screening, negotiation, and portfolio oversight, coordinate cross-functional teams, contribute to investment strategy, and support exits or handovers to Corporate Development.
eCommerce • Fintech • Hardware • Payments • Software • Financial Services
Provide white-glove technical support and onboarding for high-value resellers: troubleshoot integrations, manage escalations, run onboarding and training, track and drive issue resolution with engineering, and collaborate cross-functionally to improve processes and product experience for enterprise sellers.
Top Skills:
APIsGoogle MeetsJIRASdksThird-Party Integrations
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory



.png)