Data Engineer - QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey

McKinsey; Lombardia; Hybrid; EUR 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

McKinsey in Milan is seeking a data engineer to build foundational data infrastructure for AI applications and to design scalable data pipelines. You will collaborate with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and clients across industries to prepare data for AI-driven systems and enable scalable, production-ready AI capabilities.

The role emphasizes translating hypotheses into engineered features, managing secure data environments, and contributing to R&D initiatives in agentic AI.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science/Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience in a data-focused role (internships, academic projects).
• Ability to write clean, well-documented code in Python/SQL.
• Interest in data engineering for Agentic AI, Generative AI, ML, BI.
• Familiarity with Databricks/Snowflake/BigQuery and cloud platforms.
• Experience with Git and CI/CD, MLOps basics.
• Strong time management in autonomous environment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to different stacks.
• Experience with coding agents is a plus.
• Strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Build foundational data infrastructure powering AI applications.
• Design and maintain scalable data pipelines and secure data environments.
• Collaborate with data scientists, ML engineers, and clients across industries.
• Prepare data for AI-driven systems and translate hypotheses into features.

Skills

Python

SQL

Git

Time management

English communication

Education

Degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

Pandas

Spark

dbt

LangChain

Databricks

Snowflake

BigQuery

AWS

Azure

GCP

PSQL

Job description

Do you want to do work that matters, alongside supportive leaders who will help you grow faster than you ever thought possible? Are you a creative problem-solver who is energized by challenges? You’ve come to the right place.

YOUR IMPACT

You will build the foundational data infrastructure that powers cutting-edge AI applications leveraging LLMs, retrieval systems, workflows, and emerging agentic architectures. You will design and maintain scalable data pipelines, manage secure data environments, and prepare data for AI-driven systems while collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients. You’ll tackle real-world challenges by contributing to the development of next-generation AI systems and grow as a technologist by working alongside diverse experts across industries. You will design and build the scalable, reproducible data components essential for machine learning, agentic, and autonomous AI systems. You’ll assess data landscapes, apply data quality fundamentals, and prepare data for AI solutions. Additionally, you’ll learn to translate simple hypotheses into engineered features, manage secure data environments, and contribute to R&D initiatives focused on innovating and scaling next-generation AI capabilities. Your work will help solve some of the most complex and high-impact challenges facing clients across industries. Collaborating across QuantumBlack, AI by McKinsey and QuantumBlack Labs teams, you’ll help develop innovative AI capabilities and scalable enterprise solutions. You’ll help build robust data foundations for scalable, production-ready AI systems. Your contributions will directly support the firm’s ability to accelerate AI adoption, solve complex business problems at scale, and enable clients to achieve meaningful, lasting impact. You’ll be based in our Milan office as part of our global Data Engineering community. Working in cross-functional Agile teams, you’ll collaborate closely with Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and industry experts to deliver AI solutions. By partnering with clients from data owners to C-level executives you’ll help solve complex problems that drive tangible business value and begin to build your skills as a client‑facing technologist. Your work offers a unique opportunity to grow at the forefront of AI, data engineering, and emerging agentic technologies. You’ll develop expertise at the intersection of technology and business by tackling diverse challenges in the evolving AI landscape. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of how data engineering enables advanced AI while collaborating with leading AI and data experts in the industry.

YOUR GROWTH

Driving lasting impact and building long-term capabilities with our clients is not easy work. You are the kind of person who thrives in a high performance/high reward culture - doing hard things, picking yourself up when you stumble, and having the resilience to try another way forward. In return for your drive, determination, and curiosity, we'll provide the resources, mentorship, and opportunities you need to become a stronger leader faster than you ever thought possible. Your colleagues—at all levels—will invest deeply in your development, just as much as they invest in delivering exceptional results for clients. Every day, you'll receive apprenticeship, coaching, and exposure that will accelerate your growth in ways you won’t find anywhere else. When you join us, you will have:

• Continuous learning:Our learning and apprenticeship culture, backed by structured programs, is all about helping you grow while creating an environment where feedback is clear, actionable, and focused on your development. The real magic happens when you take the input from others to heart and embrace the fast-paced learning experience, owning your journey.
• A voice that matters:From day one, we value your ideas and contributions. You’ll make a tangible impact by offering innovative ideas and practical solutions, all while upholding our unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. We not only encourage diverse perspectives, but they are critical in driving us toward the best possible outcomes.
• Global community:With colleagues across 65+ countries and over 100 different nationalities, our firm’s diversity fuels creativity and helps us come up with the best solutions for our clients. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from exceptional colleagues with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• World-class benefits:On top of a competitive salary (based on your location, experience, and skills), we provide a comprehensive benefits package to enable holistic well-being for you and your family.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Experience in a data-focused role (internships, academic projects)
• Ability to write clean, well-documented code in a modern programming language, with a strong preference for Python and SQL
• Interest in or exposure to data engineering in the context of Agentic AI, Generative AI, Machine Learning, or Business Intelligence across different types of data formats (structured vs unstructured) and processing methods (streaming vs batch)
• Familiarity with commonly used data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery, PSQL, etc.), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and engineering tools (Pandas, Spark, dbt, LangChain, etc.)
• Exposure to modern software development practices, including version control (Git) and foundational concepts in DevOps and MLOps/LLMOps and CI/CD principles
• Exceptional time management in a complex and largely autonomous work environment
• Willingness to learn quickly and adapt to different project situations and tech stacks
• Experience using coding agents (Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, etc.) is a plus
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in English.

FOR U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

FOR NON-U.S. APPLICANTS: McKinsey & Company is an Equal Opportunity employer. For additional details regarding our global EEO policy and diversity initiatives, please visit our McKinsey Careers and Diversity & Inclusion sites.

FOR ITALIAN APPLICANTS: Italian regulations require McKinsey & Company to include the initial salary range applicable to this position. To help you understand what you can expect, the salary range for new joiners in this role in Italy, including all office locations where the job may be performed, is EUR 45,000 - EUR 45,000 gross per year. This salary range has been determined based on objective and gender-neutral criteria and reflects the compensation normally applicable to the position at the time of publication of this job posting. Actual salaries may vary based on factors such as your unique blend of experience and skills, start date and our current organizational needs. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses, subject to McKinsey's discretion and based on factors such as individual and/or organizational performance. This position is subject to the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement (CCNL) applicable to the role and applied by McKinsey in Italy.