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 workflows
- Implement UI components, data visualizations, and user‑facing features that integrate seamlessly with Databricks data sources and Lakehouse‑native APIs
- Support the development of internal tools that streamline workflows, improve data accessibility, and enhance user experience across legal and business teams
- Participate in code reviews, testing, and documentation to ensure application reliability, maintainability, and adherence to firm standards
- Troubleshoot application issues, perform root‑cause analysis, and implement fixes under the guidance of senior engineers
- Maintain and update content‑driven applications, ensuring accuracy, usability, and compliance with firm policies
- Contribute to internal documentation, user guides, and knowledge bases for supported applications
Data Integration & Pipeline Support:
- Assist senior engineers in building and maintaining ingestion, transformation, and integration workflows on the Databricks platform
- Write SQL queries to retrieve, validate, and prepare data for use in data apps
- Monitor data jobs and application integrations, escalating issues when needed
- Support data quality efforts through validation checks, structured testing, and documentation updates
- Learn foundational concepts of Lakehouse architecture, Delta Lake, and Databricks‑native development practice
Cross‑Functional Collaboration:
- Work with Data Platform team members to understand data consumption patterns and ensure applications present information clearly and accurately
- Collaborate with Product Owners to translate business requirements into actionable development tasks and user stories
- Partner with Data Architects and platform teams to ensure applications align with governance, security, and architectural standards
- Engage with Technology, Security, and Legal stakeholders to ensure applications meet firm compliance and access‑control requirements
- Participate in Agile ceremonies (standups, sprint planning, retrospectives) and contribute to team delivery commitments
- Communicate progress, blockers, and application updates to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders
AI, Automation & Innovation:
- Use AI‑assisted development tools (e.g., Claude Code) to accelerate coding, documentation, and troubleshooting
- Support the development of lightweight automation workflows using Databricks, low‑code/no‑code tools, or API‑based integrations
- Assist in preparing structured content and data for AI‑driven tools, internal search experiences, and RAG‑style applications
- Explore emerging Databricks capabilities and bring forward ideas for improving internal processes through automation or app development
- Stay current on trends in web development, data applications, and AI‑assisted engineering
- All other duties as assigned or required
Skills and experience:
Required:
- After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, iManage, and other firm applications
- Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required
- Ability to travel, as required
- 4+ 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 frameworks
- Basic SQL skills and understanding of relational databases
- Experience building or maintaining web applications, websites, or content‑driven platforms
- Familiarity with using GitHub for version control, branching, and pull requests
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related discipline
- Experience with Python or another scripting language
- Exposure to Databricks, cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP), or Lakehouse concepts
- Familiarity with REST APIs, JSON, and basic integration patterns
- Experience with VS Code or similar development environments
- Experience related to data engineering, analytics, or application development
- Experience with low‑code/no‑code automation tools
- Understanding of UI/UX principles and accessibility best practices
- Exposure to AI‑assisted development, RAG workflows, or data‑driven application design
Competencies:
- Strong problem‑solving skills and willingness to learn new technologies
- Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams in an Agile environment
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality work
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
- Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Collaborative team player with a positive, learning‑oriented mindset
- Proactive problem solver who seeks opportunities to improve processes and tools
- Ability to adapt to evolving technologies and business needs
- Professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential information
- Curiosity and enthusiasm for growing into a data engineering or application engineering career path
- Ability to drive projects to completion and achieve goals
- Strong judgment
- Team-player with collaborative spirit
- Unwavering ability to handle and maintain confidentiality regarding firm information, projects,
- client data
- Proactive, analytical mindset
- Effective presentation skills
Cooley 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.
