Are you looking to grow your career in data engineering with one of the biggest global fintech giants? Mastercard is currently hiring for the position of Data Engineer I at their Pune office. This is an incredible opportunity for early-career professionals who have a bit of experience under their belt and want to work on massive, real-world datasets. Mastercard isn't just a credit card company; it is a global technology powerhouse that processes millions of transactions every single day. If you love working with data pipelines, cloud technologies, and big data frameworks, this role might be the perfect match for you. Let's look at all the details, including what you will do, what skills you need, and how you can apply for this role.

Job Overview

About Mastercard

Mastercard is a household name when it comes to payments, but behind the scenes, it is a highly sophisticated technology company. They connect consumers, financial institutions, merchants, and governments in more than 210 countries and territories. Their goal is to make transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible for everyone. One of the best things about working at Mastercard is their unique culture. They focus heavily on what they call the "Decency Quotient" or DQ. This means they value empathy, respect, and doing the right thing just as much as technical skills. By joining Mastercard, you will be part of a global team that is building a sustainable, inclusive digital economy.

Detailed Job Description & Responsibilities

As a Data Engineer I, you will be joining Mastercard's Data & Analytics team in Pune. Your main focus will be on building and maintaining robust data products and solutions. You will help design, develop, and manage new data capabilities for Mastercard's Sustainable Technology Internal Data Lake. This is not just a routine maintenance job; you will actively build new data pipelines, handle data transfers, and set up compliance-oriented infrastructure. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including business analysts, data scientists, and DevOps engineers, to understand what data they need and then translate those needs into solid technical solutions. You will also spend a lot of time optimizing and fine-tuning existing data pipelines to make sure they run fast and reliably. Troubleshooting data issues, documenting your processes, and participating in code reviews will also be a key part of your day-to-day life.

• Design, develop, and maintain new data capabilities and infrastructure for Mastercard's Sustainable Technology Internal Data Lake.
• Create new data pipelines, data transfers, and compliance-oriented infrastructure to facilitate seamless data utilization within on-premise/cloud environments.
• Identify existing data capability and infrastructure gaps or opportunities within and across initiatives and provide subject matter expertise in support of remediation.
• Collaborate with technical teams and business stakeholders to understand data requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Work with large datasets, ensuring data quality, accuracy, and performance.
• Implement data transformation, integration, and validation processes to support analytics/BI and reporting needs.
• Optimize and fine-tune data pipelines for improved speed, reliability, and efficiency.
• Implement best practices for data storage, retrieval, and archival to ensure data accessibility and security.
• Troubleshoot and resolve data-related issues, collaborating with the team to identify root causes.
• Document data processes, data lineage, and technical specifications for future reference.
• Participate in code reviews, ensuring adherence to coding standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with DevOps teams to automate deployment and monitoring of data pipelines.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this role, you should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a closely related field. Mastercard is looking for candidates who have between 0.6 to 1.5 years of experience in data engineering or data warehousing projects. This makes it an ideal role for junior engineers, recent graduates with solid internship experience, or professionals looking to make a transition into big data. You should have a strong foundation in data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, and data warehousing concepts. Since you will be working with a geographically distributed team, having excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset is extremely important. They want someone who is a self-starter, eager to learn new technologies, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile environment.

Required Technical Skills & Preferred Qualifications

Let's talk about the technical stack you will be working with. Mastercard expects you to have hands-on experience with big data technologies. Specifically, you should know how to build data pipelines using Apache Spark with Scala, Python, or Java. Experience with Databricks or a Hadoop environment is highly valued. You must have a strong command of SQL and experience working with traditional databases like MS SQL Server or Oracle. Automation is another key area, so knowing how to orchestrate data workflows using tools like Apache Airflow is a big plus. Additionally, familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure will give you a significant advantage. It is not just about writing code; you should also understand data quality management, data integration techniques, and how to ensure data security and compliance.

• Big Data Frameworks: Hands-on experience with Apache Spark, Hadoop, and Databricks.
• Programming Languages: Strong proficiency in Python, Scala, or Java.
• Databases & SQL: Deep knowledge of SQL and experience with MS SQL Server or Oracle.
• Workflow Automation: Experience automating data flows using Apache Airflow or similar tools.
• Cloud Platforms: Familiarity with AWS or Azure cloud services is a plus.
• Methodologies: Experience working in Agile teams and environments.

Why Join Mastercard Pune?

Pune is one of India's premier IT hubs, and the Mastercard office there offers a world-class working environment. Working here means you get to collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You will get exposure to cutting-edge technologies and work on projects that have a direct impact on millions of users worldwide. Mastercard is known for its great work-life balance, competitive benefits, and excellent career growth paths. If you perform well, there are plenty of opportunities to move up to higher roles like Data Engineer II or Lead Engineer. Plus, the learning opportunities are endless, with access to various training programs and certifications.

Selection Process

While the exact selection process can vary, it typically starts with an initial resume screening to see if your experience matches the requirements. If shortlisted, you will likely go through a technical assessment or an online coding test focusing on SQL, Python/Scala, and data structures. This is usually followed by one or two rounds of technical interviews where senior engineers will evaluate your understanding of ETL processes, Spark, database design, and problem-solving skills. Finally, there will be a managerial or HR round to assess your cultural fit, communication skills, and alignment with Mastercard's values.

How to Apply

Applying is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Apply Now" button below to go directly to the official Mastercard careers page for this job.
2. Read through the job description once more to make sure your resume highlights the key skills they are looking for (like Spark, Python, SQL, and Airflow).
3. Click on "Apply" on their portal, fill in your personal and professional details, upload your updated resume, and submit your application.