Data Engineer, Dagenham or Edinburgh (ID: Kt5fnR0j)

We’re looking for a Data Engineer to join us and help establish our data infrastructure from the ground up. This role is pivotal to ensuring that our data is easily searchable, accessible, and ready to support the development of TensorFlow Lite models and other advanced analytics initiatives.

We all live in a bug’s world. For every one of us, there’s around 500 million of them. We know we can’t eliminate every pest or disease. We also know that the next pandemic is likely to be an insect-borne disease. We are bringing together artificial intelligence with the genius of nature to revolutionise the way we manage diseases and prepare for future outbreaks.

Who you are:

We are looking for an experienced Data Engineer to design, implement, and maintain a robust data infrastructure tailored to our unique needs. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build the foundation of our data operations and shape the future of our data team. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including chemists, entomologists, electrical engineers, to ensure data is optimised for analytics and machine learning workflows. You will also lead on the recruitment and expansion of our data team including data scientists and machine learning engineers.

Data Engineer Main duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a scalable data architecture to manage, store, and process large datasets generated from odour sensing and analytical chemistry experiments.
• Build and maintain ETL/ELT pipelines to ingest, clean, and transform raw data into structured, searchable formats.
• Design and manage databases or data warehouses optimised for high-performance querying and analysis.
• Work closely with scientists and machine learning engineers to ensure data is ready for model development, including TensorFlow Lite workflows.
• Automate data workflows and ensure reliable data delivery across various teams.
• Plan for future growth, ensuring the infrastructure is capable of scaling as the data team expands and data volume increases.
• Establish documentation and enforce best practices for data governance, security, and compliance.
• Contribute to our company values of innovation, integrity, impact, partnership and responsibility.

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven experience as a Data Engineer or in a similar role, with a focus on building infrastructure from scratch.
• Strong knowledge of database systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL) and data architecture principles.
• Experience with data pipeline tools and frameworks (e.g., Apache Airflow, Kafka, or similar).
• Proficiency in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) for data storage and processing.
• Familiarity with tools for making data searchable (e.g., Elasticsearch, Solr).
• Solid programming skills in Python, Java, or a similar language used in data engineering.
• Understanding of machine learning workflows, particularly TensorFlow and TensorFlow Lite.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to challenges.
• Excellent communication skills in English

Desirable Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of analytical chemistry or experience working with sensor data.
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools or platforms.
• Background in mentoring or leading junior team members as the team grows.
• Interest in public health

Personal Profile:

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Collaborative and open-minded, able to work productively with a multi-disciplinary team, and approach new ideas with curiosity and respect.
• Proactive and responsible, happy to present and seek new solutions, whilst owning their own tasks through challenges.
• An excellent communicator, able both to explain complex ideas to non-experts, but also listen actively and with empathy.

We are united by our 5 values: Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Partnership, and Responsibility. These principles guide everything we do, from our groundbreaking research to how we support our team.

By joining us, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Be part of innovation: Work at the forefront of research and technology to create real-world solutions that make a difference.
• Make an impact: Work on projects that improve global health, food security, and environmental sustainability.
• Collaborate through partnerships: Engage with a diverse and supportive team, as well as external partners, to achieve our shared goals.
• Grow with responsibility: Take ownership of your role in a company that values accountability and encourages professional development.
• Work with integrity: Be part of a workplace where honesty, respect, and high ethical standards are at the heart of everything we do.

We offer excellent training and development opportunities as well as a competitive salary and benefits package including 30 days’ annual leave, six company wellbeing days and hybrid working options to promote a positive work environment.

Situated in expert facilities with offices and labs in two locations: Edinburgh and London East-UK Business & Technical Park, Dagenham. This role can be based at either site. It is a hybrid role with some travel anticipated to visit collaborators.

As a company we embrace diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse company representing all backgrounds, harnessing industry-leading scientific innovation, and behaviours.

With our deep expertise in medical entomology, insect behaviour, analytical chemistry, behaviour change and data modelling, we’ve already impacted more than 250m lives and established ourselves as an influencer and disruptor within global and public health. This role offers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects with significant real-world impact.

How to Apply for the Data Engineer Role:

If you are a Data Engineer and excited about building data infrastructure from scratch and contributing to cutting-edge machine learning initiatives, we’d love to hear from you! To apply, please upload your CV, and include a covering letter.

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £35,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• What experience if any do you have working in a small company or start-up?

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edinburgh or Dagenham