Data Engineer

North Carolina State University is seeking a Data Engineer to support an NSF-funded research mission through the Programmable Cloud Lab Center, powering the SPEED national autonomous-science user facility. This onsite role in Raleigh, NC focuses on building trustworthy scientific data foundations for reliable, reproducible experiments, connecting robotics, instruments, AI, and user workflows.

You will develop and maintain data infrastructure spanning ingestion, transformation, processing, and storage services, along with data-quality and provenance checks. The work supports remote access to integrated self-driving laboratories and helps enable reproducible research in chemistry and materials science for academic, government, and industry users.

What You’ll Do

• Build and operate scientific data ingestion, transformation, and processing pipelines
• Design schemas for samples, experiments, metadata, provenance, and instrument outputs
• Maintain databases and data storage services (including object and time-series storage), indexing, and data-access services
• Implement automated data-quality and validation checks for units, completeness, and provenance
• Integrate data systems with laboratory automation, software, AI, and user workflows
• Manage access controls, monitoring, backup/recovery, documentation, and user support
• Develop data dictionaries, API specifications, and schema documentation
• Support FAIR data practices and use persistent identifiers
• Assist users with data access, export, and troubleshooting
• Evaluate new databases, storage technologies, and interoperability standards
• Participate in technical reviews, platform commissioning, and sponsor demonstrations

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, IT, or a related field
• Proficiency in Python and SQL for data engineering and automation
• Hands-on experience with ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, data modeling, and schema design
• Experience with relational/document databases and structured scientific metadata
• Git and Linux, plus testing and technical documentation skills
• Knowledge of data quality, provenance, identifiers, access control, and backup/recovery
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientists and with automation, software, AI, and IT teams

Technologies

• Python, SQL, ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs
• Git, Linux
• MongoDB, PostgreSQL

Compensation & Appointment Details

Salary: USD 70,000 - 80,000 per year.

• Position Type: EPS/SAAO
• Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 (40 hours/week)
• Appointment: 12 Month Recurring
• Position Number: 00112331
• Department ID: 230101 - Interdisciplinary Programs - SVP
• Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory
• Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Childcare benefits
• Wellness & Recreation Membership
• Wellness Programs

How to Apply

• Include a resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three professional references
• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship; applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship

Dates

• Job Open Date: 09/17/2026
• Anticipated Close Date: 9/30/2026 (applications reviewed while posting remains active)

Licensing Requirements: Valid NC driver’s license required: No. Commercial driver’s license required: No.