Data Engineer

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Retirement Programs

Paid Time Off

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition assistance

Wellness programs

Job summary

NC State University in Raleigh, NC is seeking a Data Engineer to build and maintain data infrastructure for the SPEED facility, connecting instruments, automation, AI, and research data systems.

The ideal candidate has a BS in CS or related field and strong Python/SQL skills, ETL pipelines, and database design. This full-time role offers a collaborative environment and opportunities to work with academic, government, and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, IT, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Build data ingestion, transformation, and processing pipelines.
• Design schemas for samples, experiments, metadata, provenance, and instrument outputs.
• Maintain databases, object/time-series storage, indexing, and data-access services.
• Implement automated data-quality, validation, unit, completeness, and provenance checks.
• 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 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.

Skills

Python

SQL

ETL/ELT pipelines

APIs

Data modeling

Schema design

Relational databases

Document databases

Git

Linux

Testing

Monitoring

Documentation

Data quality

Provenance

Access control

Backup/recovery

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

MongoDB

PostgreSQL

Cloud platforms

Kubernetes

Job description

Posting Number: PG194889EP

Internal Recruitment : No

Working Title: Data Engineer

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience and education (anticipated hiring range $70,000 - $80,000)

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (additional work outside of standard hours may be required due to business needs)

Job Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Department : Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs

About the Department

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s primary research mission involves managing high-impact, multi-disciplinary research initiatives, specialized laboratory facilities, and large-scale sponsor portfolios. To support faculty innovation and maintain seamless operations across complex grant portfolios, the department utilizes embedded administrative professionals who provide direct, localized support to large faculty research groups, multi-investigator centers, and specialized laboratory infrastructure. Operate the Self-driving Platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design (SPEED) as an NSF-funded national autonomous-science user facility. Provide remote access to integrated self-driving laboratories. Connect robotics, scientific instruments, AI, and data infrastructure. Enable reproducible experiments in chemistry and materials science. Serve academic, government, and industry research users.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer:

• 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
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Data Engineer supports the NSF-funded Programmable Cloud Lab Center’s research mission by developing and maintaining data infrastructure for the SPEED national autonomous-science user facility. The position connects scientific instruments, laboratory automation, robotics, AI, and research data systems to support reliable, organized, and accessible experimental data. As the Data Engineer, you will contribute to an interdisciplinary research environment serving academic, government, and industry users while supporting reproducible experimentation and data-driven scientific discovery.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Build and operate scientific data ingestion, transformation, and processing pipelines
• Design schemas for samples, experiments, metadata, provenance, and instrument outputs
• Maintain databases, object/time-series storage, indexing, and data-access services
• Implement automated data-quality, validation, unit, completeness, and provenance checks
• Integrate data systems with laboratory automation, software, AI, and user workflows
• Manage access controls, monitoring, backup/recovery, documentation, and user support

Other Responsibilities

• Develop data dictionaries, API specifications, and schema documentation.
• Support FAIR data practices and 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, IT, or related field..

Other Required Qualifications

• Python and SQL for data engineering and automation.
• ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, data modeling, and schema design.
• Relational/document databases and structured scientific metadata.
• Git, Linux, testing, monitoring, and technical documentation.
• Data quality, provenance, identifiers, access control, and backup/recovery.
• Ability to collaborate with scientists, automation, software, AI, and IT teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Scientific data engineering or laboratory informatics, including ETL/ELT pipelines and structured data models.
• Proficiency with relational, document-oriented, object, and/or time-series databases, such as MongoDB or PostgreSQL.
• Familiarity with FAIR data practices, metadata standards, ontologies, and/or provenance systems.
• Cloud or container infrastructure and scalable data services.
• AI/ML data pipelines or integration of data systems with autonomous laboratories.
• Scientific data from spectroscopy, chromatography, imaging, or process-based applications.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

No

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Job Open Date

09/17/2026

Anticipated Close Date

9/30/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Number

00112331

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

230101 - Interdisciplinary Programs - SVP

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.