Data Engineer

SUMMARY:
Introduction:
Our client, a fast-growing data solutions start-up based in Pretoria East, is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Data Engineer to join their dynamic team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about data, technology, and innovation to contribute to building scalable data systems and play a key role in shaping the company’s data engineering capability.
 
Job Purpose:
To design, develop and maintain robust, scalable and secure data engineering solutions across the full data lifecycle, from data ingestion and transformation to warehousing and integration.

POSITION INFO:
REQUIREMENTS
Minimum education (essential):

• BSc in Computer Science, Engineering or relevant field

• 2-4 years

• Experience with SQL Server and Azure Synapse Analytics/Microsoft Fabric for query writing, indexing, performance tuning and schema design.
• Hands-on experience developing ETL pipelines, including data extraction from REST/SOAP APIs, databases and flat files.
• Proficiency in data transformation using Python and Azure-native tools.
• Experience with data warehousing.
• Background in data modelling, including dimensional modelling, schema evolution and versioning.
• Practical knowledge of cloud-based data storage and processing using Azure Blob Storage.
• Familiarity with pipeline optimisation, fault tolerance, monitoring and security best practices.
• Experience developing web applications using C# and the .NET platform.
• Experience with front-end development using Blazor, React.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS/SCSS.

• SQL Server, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Blob Storage, Microsoft Fabric
• Python
• REST/SOAP APIs, Data Extraction, Transformation, Loading (ETL)
• Azure Data Factory, Pipeline Orchestration
• Dimensional Modelling, Schema Evolution, Data Warehousing
• Power BI
• Performance Optimisation, Indexing, Query Tuning
• Cloud Data Processing, Backups
• C#, .NET, Blazor
• JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS/SCS

• Proficient in Afrikaans and English
• Own transport and license

• Design, build, and orchestrate efficient ETL pipelines using Azure Synapse for both batch and near-real-time data ingestion.
• Extract data from a variety of structured and unstructured sources including REST APIs, SOAP APIs, databases, and flat files.
• Apply robust data transformation logic using Python and native Azure Synapse transformation tools.
• Optimise data flows for performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Implement retry mechanisms, logging and monitoring within pipelines to ensure data integrity and fault tolerance.

• Design and manage scalable and efficient data architectures using Microsoft SQL Server and Azure services, including Synapse Analytics/Microsoft Fabric and Blob Storage.
• Develop robust schema designs, indexes and query strategies to support analytical and operational workloads.
• Support schema evolution and version control, ensuring long-term maintainability and consistency across datasets.
• Implement and maintain metadata repositories and data dictionaries for improved data governance and transparency.
• Define and maintain role-based access control to ensure data security and compliance.

• Architect and manage enterprise data warehouses using Azure Synapse Analytics.
• Apply best practices for data loading, partitioning strategies, and storage optimisation.
• Integrate warehousing solutions with Power BI and other analytics platforms for seamless business intelligence consumption.

• Develop and maintain conceptual, logical and physical data models.
• Implement dimensional modelling techniques (e.g., star/snowflake schemas) to support advanced analytics and reporting.
• Apply normalisation standards and relational modelling techniques to support OLTP and OLAP workloads.
• Ensure consistency of data models across systems and support schema versioning and evolution.

• Provide clear, timely updates on task status and progress to senior developers / management.
• Contribute to reports, manuals, and other documentation related to software status, operation, and maintenance.
• Collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders using the appropriate communication channels.
• Maintain system and product change logs and release notes according to company standards.

• Automate recurring data engineering tasks and deploy solutions with CI/CD best practices.
• Implement monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect data quality issues and pipeline failures.
• Analyse and optimise query performance across platforms (SQL Server, Azure Synapse).
• Support scalability planning and cost control by monitoring pipeline execution and resource usage

• Enforce security best practices for data access, including encryption and secure authentication.
• Ensure compliance with data governance policies and applicable regulatory standards.
• Document processes, architectural decisions and technical implementations in alignment with organisational standards

• Collaborate with developers, data analysts, data scientists and business teams to understand data requirements and deliver scalable solutions.
• Work with the team to integrate pipelines with source control and deployment workflows

• Document data processes, transformations and architectural decisions.
• Maintain high standards of software quality within the team by adhering to good processes, practices and habits.
• Ensure compliance to the established processes and standards for the development lifecycle, including but not limited to data archival.
• Safeguard confidential information and data.