At Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) our purpose is to 'open up the world for those who want to see'. Every day, we give people all around the world the opportunity to experience something really amazing: travel!
Data is at the heart of everything we do. As our Head of Data Engineering and Platforms, you'll be the driving force behind how we collect, transform and unlock the power of data across our Leisure division, fuelling smarter insights, sharper analytics and next-generation AI capabilities.
This isn't just a technical leadership role, it's a strategic one. You'll shape the vision, define the roadmap and bring stakeholders on the journey, translating business ambition into a world-class data platform that scales with us. Our platform is built on Databricks across both Azure and AWS cloud footprints, and you'll own how it evolves to meet the demands of a fast-moving, AI-led business.
You'll lead talented engineering teams in building data pipelines that are fast, reliable and built for the future, and you'll embed strong DataOps practices so our data products are observable, well-governed and dependable at scale. You'll partner closely with our Global Risk, Security and Privacy teams to ensure our platform reflects best-in-class governance and compliance.
This role also connects directly to our broader AI agenda. As FCTG accelerates its adoption of agentic AI, well-engineered, trustworthy data is the foundation everything else is built on, and you'll be central to making that foundation world-class.
If you're passionate about data engineering excellence, energised by complex challenges and ready to make a real impact at one of the world's largest travel companies, this is your seat at the table.
Day in the life
- Define the technical vision, strategy and roadmap for data engineering, aligned with business priorities
- Lead all data engineering and DataOps operations, ensuring delivery on time, within budget and to the required standard
- Build fast, robust and efficient data pipelines on Databricks across both Azure and AWS
- Lead data collection, transformation, storage and platform scalability across enterprise environments
- Embed DataOps practices, including pipeline observability, automated testing, CI/CD for data, and the reliability of data products
- Provide technical design and best-practice guidance for data, AI and BI workloads
- Partner closely with business stakeholders to translate needs into effective technical solutions
- Collaborate with Global Risk, Security and Privacy teams to ensure the platform meets global compliance standards
- Hire, develop and mentor engineering leaders and team members to build capability and performance
- Establish and improve engineering processes to enhance efficiency, quality and security
- Manage the engineering budget and keep initiatives within approved spend
- Stay current with industry trends and ensure adoption of best practices, particularly across data and AI tooling
- Contribute to a safe, inclusive and accessible work environment where all Flighties feel welcomed, respected and supported to thrive
You'll be perfect for the role if you have
- 10+ years' experience in data engineering, including significant time leading and managing engineering teams
- Advanced data engineering capability in enterprise environments, ideally on Databricks
- Experience operating across both Azure and AWS cloud environments
- Proven experience working with data science, analytics, BI and application teams
- Hands-on experience across data warehousing, lakehouse, big data and data pipelines
- Strong DataOps capability, including pipeline observability, automation and data reliability practices
- Demonstrated collaboration with Risk, Security and Privacy stakeholders
- Degree in IT, Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent
What you will enjoy:
- ️Culture: you will be employed by an inclusive company that offers a team culture like no other in the industry - Flight Centre Travel Group Australia is proud to be a certified Great Place to Work® Australia New Zealand Pty Ltd
Our People: FCTG is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage all suitably qualified applicants to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and people from racial, ethnic, or ethno-religious minority groups and people with disability
Development: Individualised, ongoing Learning & Development via communities of practice. Dedicated time to learn, share and collaborate skills, interests and goals, as well as contribute your own expertise and insights of others.
- Innovation Days where you have the opportunity to create, collaborate, and bring innovative concepts to life!
Dedicated Engineering Days, often hosted by technology partners off-site, where staff have an opportunity to increase knowledge and skills, and test out new and exciting technologies.
Access to ' Learning' for ongoing skills development: over 24,500 courses in over 20 languages
- ️Women in PM&E group - this comprehensive program aims to foster gender diversity and empower and support women in their pursuit of successful careers in technology. It encompasses a variety of initiatives, workshops, mentorship opportunities, and networking events.
Exclusive Staff Discounts: Accessible via our employee-only portal with 350+ of Australia’s leading retailers, health and wellness discounts, financial planning advice, employee share plan and more
Travel Discounts: Including family and friends - flights, hotels, tours, cruises, travel insurance and more
Brightness of Future: Career opportunities in a network of brands and businesses across the globe - we promote from within
Corporate Health Discounts: Access exclusive discounts on health insurance plans for you and your family with our partner, BUPA, access to internal gym
Mental Health: Support and Employee Assistance Program for staff and family
Social: Regular awards nights, social team-building and industry events, with the opportunity to attend global conferences (Bangkok in 2026)
Giving Back: Corporate Social Responsibility program supporting nominated charities through Workplace Giving, volunteering and fundraising; paid parental and volunteer leave
Sustainability: The protection of our environment is essential to the future of tourism, as a leading travel group, we have made efforts to affect positive change to the environment
Be part of a workplace committed to reconciliation through our Reconciliation Action Plan - we proudly support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion, cultural safety, and dedicated cultural leave
Irreverence. Ownership. Egalitarianism.
