Principal Data Engineer - job 1 of 2

Kin is redesigning insurance to be smarter, faster, and centered on the customer. We use intelligent pricing, offer seamless bundling, and make every step (from purchasing, servicing to claims) simple and friction-free, especially in the places traditional insurers often ignore.

We empower people to protect what matters most, starting with their homes and expanding to all they value, in a world where climate risks, rising costs, and outdated systems leave too many behind. Our approach has fostered amazing growth, attracted marquee investors, and earned us accolades, including being named to:

• Built In Chicago's Best Places to Work, Midsize Companies (2021-2025).

• Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers (2021- 2024, Ranked #37 in 2024).

• Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies.

• Forbes’ Fintech 50.

Simply put, our people are what make us great – we need forward-thinking, inspired game-changers like you to join us in our mission.

So what’s the role?

Data is central to our business at Kin. As a Principal Data Engineer, you will be the senior technical lead for the data engineering department. You’ll partner with our Director of Data Engineering to provide technical leadership and architectural direction to our Data organization. You’ll lead our transition to distributed computing as we move to Databricks. You are the go-to expert at Kin regarding our data stack and environment, a mentor to your data team members, and a partner to cross-functional colleagues and stakeholders.

What you’ll do

You will lead the design, development, and implementation of a distributed computing environment based on Databricks and best-in-class data governance. You’ll lead Kin’s transformation into a data-first environment while collaborating with cross-functional team members from Product, AppEng, analytics, and business units to solve complex challenges. These range from architecting scalable and efficient data pipelines to optimizing data storage and retrieval systems to ensuring data quality and integrity throughout the data lifecycle. We have utilized modern technology since beginning our business, and now we’re super-charging our data infrastructure and processes. You will lead those technical initiatives across all facets of our data team. This involves:

• Leading the overall data architecture design, including ingestion, computing, storage, governance, and machine learning engineering capabilities

• Implementing the architecture and creating a vision for how data will flow through the organization using a federated approach

• Managing data governance across multiple systems: data mastering, metadata management, data definitions, semantic-layer design, data taxonomies, and ontologies

• Design and implement solutions using Databricks for advanced analytics, data processing, and machine learning workloads

• Helping define the technology strategy and roadmaps for the portfolio of data platforms and services across the organization

• Ensuring data security and compliance, working within industry regulations

• Designing and documenting data architecture at multiple levels across conceptual, logical, and physical views

• Providing hands-on architectural guidance and leadership throughout the entire lifecycle of development projects

• Translating business requirements into conceptual and detailed technology solutions that meet organizational goals

• Collaborating with other architects, engineering directors, and product managers to align data solutions with business strategy

• Leading proof-of-concept projects to test and validate new tools or architectural approaches

• Staying current with industry trends, vendor product offerings, and evolving data technologies to ensure the organization leverages the best available tools

• Cross-training peers and mentoring team members to share knowledge and build internal capabilities

The skills to succeed

• 10+ years of experience in designing & architecting data systems, warehousing and/or ML Ops platforms

• Proven experience in the design and architecture of large-scale data systems, including lakehouse and machine learning platforms, using modern cloud-based tools

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Your ability to collaborate and deliver clear vision and messaging with cross-functional and executive teams is just as important as your technical abilities

• Proven ability to develop and implement data architecture roadmaps and comprehensive implementation plans that align with business strategies

• Expertise in data architecture and design, for both structured and unstructured data, as well as data modeling across transactional, BI and DS usage models

• Fluency with modern cloud data stacks, SaaS solutions, and evolutionary architecture, enabling flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions

• Expertise with all aspects of data management: data governance, data mastering, metadata management, data taxonomies and ontologies

• Experience working with real-time data streaming

• Experience with data analytics, BI, data reporting and data visualization

You should join us if…

• You want to work on cutting-edge data solutions in a high-impact, regulated industry

• You enjoy leading and collaborating with talented teams to solve complex problems and drive business outcomes

• You want to learn from and mentor team members in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment with opportunities to innovate

• You value making a real world impact on people’s lives through the use of data and technology

• You’re outcome oriented, as well collaborative. Taking ownership and prioritizing key outcomes is important, but so is taking an emotionally intelligent approach to working with others.

You probably shouldn’t apply if…

• You are uncomfortable with ambiguity or unclear requirements. We solve a lot of new problems where requirements are not well defined.

• You would rather avoid start-up environments where processes may not be well-defined. Change is a way of life at Kin. We’re still establishing some of our processes and evolving how we manage data.

• You see perfection as the only option. We move fast, and we make mistakes. We learn and grow through experimentation and mistakes. While we hold ourselves to high standards, we don’t demand perfection.

• You keep to yourself. We have a collaborative culture where we solve problems together, learn from, and support each other. You’re part of a team here at Kin.

Oh, and don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

We offer a comprehensive benefits program, allowing you to choose the benefits that are best for you and your family including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Disability Insurance options, Employee Assistance Program, as well as elective voluntary benefits such as accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, legal assistance and pet insurance. Kinfolk become eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following their start date.

In addition to these benefits, we also are excited to offer the following:

• Competitive salary and company equity through Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), granted as part of our standard compensation package and based on role and level.

• 401K with company match of up to 4% of eligible earnings

• Flexible PTO for exempt employees (employees typically take 15-20 days annually), along with 8 company-observed holidays

• A paid parental leave program that provides 100% salary continuation of up to 14 weeks for birthing parents and 8 weeks for non birthing parents

• Continuing education and professional development opportunities

This role is eligible to earn additional compensation annually through participation in our Kin Leadership Incentive Plan.

For Sales Agents and Customer Service Agents: These roles sit in any of the following 30 states: AL, AZ, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, and WI.

For all other positions, these roles can sit in any of the following 40 states: AL, AR, AZ, CA (exempt only), CO, CT, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, and WI. Please only apply if you are able to live and work full-time in one of the states listed above.

State locations and specifics are subject to change as our hiring requirements shift.

About Kin

Kin is the only pure-play, direct-to-consumer digital insurer focused on the growing home insurance market. We make policies convenient and affordable through a technology platform that delivers a seamless user experience, customized options for coverage, and fast, high-quality claims service. Kin is a fully licensed carrier that offers coverage through its reciprocal exchanges which are owned by its policyholders. To learn more, visit www.kin.com.

EEOC Statement

Kin is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We don't just accept difference – we honor it, nurture it, and celebrate it. We don’t discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.