Software Engineer - Python and Data Modelling

Morgan McKinley; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 27 days

Job summary

Morgan McKinley is recruiting on behalf of a public-sector body in Ireland for a Software Engineer (Data Systems & Core Modelling Architecture) on an 18-month contract. The role focuses on modernizing and scaling a national-scale computational framework and linking databases with scientific libraries to enable modular, reusable code.

Based in Dublin or Cork with a blended on-site requirement, you will collaborate with researchers and data scientists, implement CI/CD, and deliver robust data

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification at NFQ Level 9 in a relevant field.
• Experience in software development, data engineering or production data science.
• Proven back-end Python experience developing production-grade modules.
• Strong SQL and relational database design experience with PostgreSQL.
• Experience building interfaces or visualizations for complex outputs.

Responsibilities

• Back-End Development: design and implement production-grade Python code to query and pass objects between PostgreSQL and analytic libraries.
• Database Architecture: design and maintain a PostgreSQL database for high-volume inputs and projections.
• Application & Visualization Tools: develop lightweight interfaces and visualization tools to evaluate scenario outputs.
• Analytical Tooling: build utilities in Python and Julia with modular, well-documented code.
• Data Pipeline Engineering: ingest and clean heterogeneous data sources for simulation inputs.
• QA & Standards: implement testing, version control, code reviews, and CI/CD for reproducible results.
• Compute Infrastructure: deploy scalable cloud storage and compute environments.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: work with researchers, data scientists and external stakeholders.

Skills

Python

SQL

Visualization

Git

Data analysis

Education

NFQ Level 9 Postgrad in CS/Stats/Math/Eng/Science/Econ

Tools

PostgreSQL

Julia

Azure

Job description

Company Overview

Our client is a high-profile public-sector statutory body focused on large-scale national strategic planning, regulatory policy insights, and long-term socio-economic transformation. Operating at the core of Ireland's long-range strategic roadmaps, the organisation produces authoritative evidence, econometric models, and analytics that guide government policy and community-wide infrastructural investment. They are recognized for technical rigor, cross-sector collaboration, and a forward-looking commitment to modernising core digital and analytical assets.

Job Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Software Engineer (Data Systems & Core Modelling Architecture) to join their central Data and Insights function on an 18-month contract.

In this position, you will lead the modernization, modularization, and back-end scalability of a high-visibility, national-scale computational framework. You will engineer clean back-end architecture to connect enterprise databases with scientific simulation libraries, automate complex data pipelines, and lay the foundation for an extensible, modular codebase designed for wide stakeholder use.

• Location: Dublin or Cork (Blended working model: minimum 2 days per week on-site)
• Tenure: 18-month fixed-term contract
• Annual Leave: 27 days per year (exclusive of public holidays)

Core Tech Stack

• Languages: Python, Julia, SQL
• Databases: PostgreSQL (Relational & Object-Relational)
• Data Processing & Scientific Libraries: Python scientific/data analysis ecosystem (e.g., pandas, NumPy, SciPy)
• Infrastructure & Compute: Cloud data processing services (Microsoft Azure or similar), Virtual Machines, Cloud Object Storage
• Version Control & DevOps: Git, GitHub
• Visualization & Front-End: Dashboarding & validation UI tools

Responsibilities

• Back-End Development: Lead the design and implementation of a production-level Python codebase engineered to query, manipulate, and pass complex objects between relational databases and advanced computational libraries written in Python or Julia.
• Database Architecture: Design, optimize, and maintain a new PostgreSQL relational database tailored for multi-layered input assumptions, high-volume parameters, and projection outputs.
• Application & Visualization Tools: Develop lightweight application interfaces and visualization tools to evaluate, validate, and compare alternative scenario simulation outputs.
• Analytical Tooling Enhancement: Build and refine analytical utilities using Python and Julia, ensuring adherence to modern engineering best practices, modular structures, and comprehensive documentation.
• Data Pipeline Engineering: Ingest, clean, and integrate heterogeneous institutional and external data sources to generate robust inputs for simulation and scenario calculations.
• Quality Assurance & Standards: Implement disciplined software lifecycle workflows, including comprehensive testing suites, strict version control, code reviews, and CI/CD practices to guarantee reproducible results.
• Compute Infrastructure: Specify and deploy scalable cloud storage and compute environments (e.g., virtual machines and cloud-native services) for data retrieval and analytical pipelines.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with multidisciplinary research leads, data scientists, and external stakeholders, representing technical deliverables in industry and inter-agency forums.

Requirements

Essential Criteria

• Education: Postgraduate qualification (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications - NFQ) in Computer Science, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Science, or Economics.
• Experience: Minimum 4 years of hands-on professional experience in software development, data engineering, or production data science, including demonstrated experience operating as a software engineer.
• Back-End Python Fluency: Proven experience writing production-grade modules and libraries in Python (or similar) from scratch, with a focus on back-end development without reliance on generative assistants.
• Database & SQL Proficiency: Strong hands-on background in relational schema design and complex SQL queries in PostgreSQL (or similar), including automated data pipelines and Python database integrations.
• Application Visualization: Experience building functional user interfaces or interactive visualization utilities to validate and inspect complex database-backed analytical outputs.
• Source Control & Engineering Rigor: Extensive practical background using Git and GitHub, combined with formal documentation methodologies and automated unit/integration testing.
• Complex Data Analysis: Proven track record analyzing multi-faceted, high-dimensional datasets and communicating technical results effectively to non-technical audiences.
• Work Authorization: Must hold valid eligibility to live and work in the Republic of Ireland for the entire 18-month contract term.

Desirable Criteria

• Passion for open-source frameworks, lean code design, and platform-agnostic architecture.
• Working knowledge of or direct development experience with Julia.
• Hands-on exposure to cloud data architectures and services (e.g., Microsoft Azure or equivalent).
• Experience handling time-series, statistical, or predictive scenario data models.
• Track record of introducing and mentoring teams on modern software engineering standards.
• Familiarity with public-sector operational environments or working proficiency in the Irish language.