Data Application Engineer

Cooley is seeking a Data Application Engineer to join the Data team.Position summary: As a leading technology law firm, Cooley is determined to become a leader in the digital practice of law. We are committed to advancing the digital practice of law through modern data applications, automation, and Lakehouse‑native tooling. The Data Application Engineer plays a foundational role in building and supporting interactive data applications on the firm’s Databricks platform, enabling users to access insights, workflows, and AI‑powered capabilities more efficiently. The Data Application Engineer will work closely with product owners and architects to deliver intuitive, reliable, and secure data applications built using Databricks Appkit, AI‑assisted development tools, and GitHub‑based engineering practices.Position responsibilities:Data Application Development & Support: Build and enhance interactive data applications using Databricks Appkit, AI‑assisted coding tools (e.g., Claude Code), and optional local development in VS Code, following GitHub‑based version control and pull‑request workflowsImplement UI components, data visualizations, and user‑facing features that integrate seamlessly with Databricks data sources and Lakehouse‑native APIsSupport the development of internal tools that streamline workflows, improve data accessibility, and enhance user experience across legal and business teamsParticipate in code reviews, testing, and documentation to ensure application reliability, maintainability, and adherence to firm standardsTroubleshoot application issues, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement fixes under the guidance of senior engineersMaintain and update content‑driven applications, ensuring accuracy, usability, and compliance with firm policiesContribute to internal documentation, user guides, and knowledge bases for supported applicationsData Integration & Pipeline Support:Assist senior engineers in building and maintaining ingestion, transformation, and integration workflows on the Databricks platformWrite SQL queries to retrieve, validate, and prepare data for use in data appsMonitor data jobs and application integrations, escalating issues when neededSupport data quality efforts through validation checks, structured testing, and documentation updatesLearn foundational concepts of Lakehouse architecture, Delta Lake, and Databricks‑native development practiceCross‑Functional Collaboration:Work with Data Platform team members to understand data consumption patterns and ensure applications present information clearly and accuratelyCollaborate with Product Owners to translate business requirements into actionable development tasks and user storiesPartner with Data Architects and platform teams to ensure applications align with governance, security, and architectural standardsEngage with Technology, Security, and Legal stakeholders to ensure applications meet firm compliance and access‑control requirementsParticipate in Agile ceremonies (standups, sprint planning, retrospectives) and contribute to team delivery commitmentsCommunicate progress, blockers, and application updates to both technical and non‑technical stakeholdersAI, Automation & Innovation:Use AI‑assisted development tools (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate coding, documentation, and troubleshootingSupport the development of lightweight automation workflows using Databricks, low‑code/no‑code tools, or API‑based integrationsAssist in preparing structured content and data for AI‑driven tools, internal search experiences, and RAG‑style applicationsExplore emerging Databricks capabilities and bring forward ideas for improving internal processes through automation or app developmentStay current on trends in web development, data applications, and AI‑assisted engineeringAll other duties as assigned or requiredSkills and experience:Required:After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage, and other firm applicationsAbility to work extended and/or weekend hours, as requiredAbility to travel, as required4+ years of experience directly applicable experience (e.g., data engineering, data application)Experience with front‑end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)Familiarity with React, Vue, Angular or other modern JavaScript frameworksBasic SQL skills and understanding of relational databasesExperience building or maintaining web applications, websites, or content‑driven platformsFamiliarity with using GitHub for version control, branching, and pull requestsPreferred:Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related disciplineExperience with Python or another scripting languageExposure to Databricks, cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP), or Lakehouse conceptsFamiliarity with REST APIs, JSON, and basic integration patternsExperience with VS Code or similar development environmentsExperience related to data engineering, analytics, or application developmentExperience with low‑code/no‑code automation toolsUnderstanding of UI/UX principles and accessibility best practicesExposure to AI‑assisted development, RAG workflows, or data‑driven application designCompetencies:Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to learn new technologiesAbility to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams in an Agile environmentStrong attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality workExcellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearlyHighly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlinesCollaborative team player with a positive, learning‑oriented mindsetProactive problem solver who seeks opportunities to improve processes and toolsAbility to adapt to evolving technologies and business needsProfessionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential informationCuriosity and enthusiasm for growing into a data engineering or application engineering career pathAbility to drive projects to completion and achieve goalsStrong judgmentTeam-player with collaborative spiritUnwavering ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects,client dataProactive, analytical mindsetEffective presentation skillsCooley offers a competitive compensation and excellent benefits package and is committed to fair and equitable employment practices.EOE.The expected annual pay range for this position with a full-time schedule is $120,000 - $175,000. Please note that final offer amount will be dependent on geographic location, applicable experience and skillset of the candidate. Senior level candidates may be considered for this position and would be eligible for a higher salary range based on experience.We offer a full range of elective benefits including medical, health savings account (with applicable medical plan), dental, vision, health and/or dependent care flexible spending accounts, pre-tax commuter benefits, life insurance, AD&D, long-term care coverage, backup care for children and/or adults and other parental support benefits. In addition to elective benefit options, benefited employees receive firm-paid life insurance, AD&D, LTD, short term medical benefits as well as 21 days of Paid Time Off (“PTO”) and 10 paid holidays each year. We provide generous parental leave and fertility benefits. New employees will attend a detailed benefit orientation to learn more about our many benefits and resources.