8+ years in enterprise data, software architecture, or related fields 5+ years hands-on experience in Kafka and event-driven systems Proven track record of designing and implementing large-scale, cloud-native solutions leveraging Kafka, Flink, and AI-driven tools Hands-on experience with feature stores, vector databases, or RAG Experience optimizing large-scale, real-time systems Demonstrated ability to leverage AI to build data solutions Strong understanding of event-driven architecture, stream processing (Kafka Streams, Flink), and distributed systems Proficiency in microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and DevOps practices Strong background in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), including infrastructure as code In-depth knowledge of SQL and NoSQL database technologies Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes) Familiarity with TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, or other ML libraries Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives Skilled in stakeholder engagement