Data & Software Engineer

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Saudi Arabia seeks a Data & Software Engineer to build scalable data pipelines and backend services. This role involves shaping integration architecture using various programming languages and cloud technologies. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's or Master's degree and has 7–10 years of experience in software and data engineering, demonstrating strong analytical skills and the ability to mentor junior engineers. Commitment to code quality and effective communication with stakeholders are essential.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of combined experience in software and/or data engineering.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving under complexity.
• Ability to mentor others and elevate engineering standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement robust, scalable ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Build backend services and microservices in Python, Java, or C#.
• Lead the design of system architectures for integrations.

Skills

Python

Java

C#

SQL

ETL/ELT pipelines

cloud technologies

architectural thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field

Tools

Snowflake

DBT

Spark

Airflow

CI/CD

Git

Job description

Position Summary

The Data & Software Engineer is responsible not only for building scalable data pipelines and backend services but also for shaping the architectural direction of integrations, data flows, and internal applications. The role combines strong hands‑on engineering with architectural leadership across data models, APIs, cloud components, and enterprise integration patterns. This engineer will meaningfully influence the design of new systems, modernization of legacy components, and the technical standards used across the technical team.

Major Responsibilities

Data Engineering & Integration

• Design and implement robust, scalable ETL/ELT pipelines (Snowflake, DBT, Spark, Airflow).
• Define data models, schemas, and mapping specifications for structured/unstructured datasets.
• Architect and build integration solutions using REST/SOAP APIs, queues, or cloud‑native services.
• Establish best practices for data quality, lineage, monitoring, and observability.

Backend Software Engineering

• Build backend services, automation tools, and microservices in Python, Java, C# or any other backend language.
• Apply software design principles (SOLID, KISS).
• Maintain and evolve existing services through CI/CD, testing, and refactoring for scalability.
• Implement secure coding practices, API authentication, and integration security standards.

Architecture & Technical Strategy

• Lead the design of system architectures for integrations and internal applications.
• Produce architecture diagrams, data‑flow maps, and interface specifications.
• Evaluate and recommend tools, integration patterns, and cloud technologies.
• Ensure alignment with organization‑wide architectural standards.
• Provide guidance on distributed systems, data modelling, storage patterns, and message flows.
• Mentor engineers on design patterns, code structure, and architectural thinking.

Personal Requirements

Competencies

• Architectural thinking: designs scalable, decoupled, maintainable systems.
• Strong analytical skills and problem‑solving under complexity.
• Clear communication of technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• Ownership mindset with strong attention to code quality and reliability.
• Ability to mentor others and elevate engineering standards.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of combined experience in software and/or data engineering.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, and C#, with experience building APIs, backend services, and data pipelines.
• Strong SQL skills and familiarity with modern CI/CD and Git‑based workflows.
• Ability to work with business stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Strong communication skills and experience collaborating across teams.
• Exposure to cloud technologies (AWS/Azure) and common integration patterns.
• Experience with Higher‑Ed systems (SIS, LMS) or CRM platforms is a big plus.
• Familiarity with integration middleware or data governance is beneficial.