Data Engineer 1, Operational Technology - Operations #4941

BioSpace; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 86,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible time-off

401(k) with employer match

Medical, dental, and vision

Mindfulness programs

Job summary

GRAIL is seeking a Data Engineer for the Operational Technology team in RTP, NC. You will own end-to-end data ingestion and transformation pipelines connecting lab instruments, automation systems, and analytics platforms.

You will work with data scientists, engineers, and operations to ensure reliable data flows from the lab to AI systems. The role requires SQL proficiency, programming skills (Python, Rust, C++, or similar), and experience with ETL/ELT pipelines.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of data engineering or related experience.
• Proficiency in SQL.
• Proficiency with programming languages such as Python, Rust, C++, or similar.
• ETL/ELT concepts and relational data knowledge.
• Attention to data quality, reliability and accuracy.
• Collaborative and adaptable in fast-changing environments.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines from lab instruments and systems.
• Deliver clean datasets for analytics and AI systems.
• Develop and optimize SQL and transformation logic for data modeling.
• Create data models for dashboards, monitoring, and AI workflows.
• Implement data validation, testing, and monitoring for quality.

Skills

SQL

Python

Rust

C++

Education

Degree in CS / data-related field

Tools

Airflow

dbt

AWS

Redshift

Job description

Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.

We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next‑generation sequencing (NGS), population‑scale clinical studies, and state‑of‑the‑art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.

GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.

For more information, please visit grail.com

As a Data Engineer on the Operational Technology team, you will build and maintain the data pipelines that connect GRAIL's lab instruments, automation systems, and operational platforms to a trusted, well modeled data foundation. You will own well scoped ingestion and transformation pipelines end to end, partnering with systems engineers, lab operations, data scientists, and automation engineers to keep data flowing reliably from the lab floor to the analytics and AI systems that depend on it. This is a hands‑on role for an engineer who is ready to take ownership of real data infrastructure and grow quickly in a fast paced, regulated environment. Expect to work alongside a talented and highly motivated team that moves quickly.

This role is based on‑site in RTP, North Carolina, Monday through Friday. The position participates in an on‑call rotation and may occasionally require weekend or holiday support for production incidents, maintenance, or critical deployments.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines that ingest and integrate information from laboratory instruments, automation systems, sequencers, operational platforms, APIs, autonomous robotics platforms, databases and file based data sources.
• Support downstream analytics, reporting, and AI systems by delivering clean, trustworthy datasets and timely data extracts for troubleshooting, root‑cause investigations and platform improvements.
• Develop and optimize SQL and transformation logic to cleanse, standardize, and model raw instrument and production data into reliable, well structured datasets.
• Build and support datasets and data models used by operational dashboards, analytics, process monitoring, troubleshooting, and governed AI enabled workflows.
• Implement orchestration, testing, monitoring and alerting so that data failures, freshness issues, schema changes, and incomplete processing are identified early.
• Implement data validation and quality checks to ensure datasets are accurate, complete, and reliable.
• Document pipelines, data models, and datasets to support reproducibility and compliance with ISO, CLIA, CAP, NYS, GMP, and FDA requirements.
• Continuously improve your technical skills and the team's engineering practices.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Data Science, Life Sciences, Physics or similar field.
• 1+ years of relevant professional, internship, academic, or project experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, software development, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proficiency in SQL.
• Working proficiency with one or more programming languages, such as Python, Rust, C++, or similar.
• Basic understanding of ETL or ELT pipelines, relational databases, and structured or semi-structured data.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to data quality, reliability and accuracy.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in teams of technical and non-technical individuals, and comfortable working in a rapidly changing environment with dynamic objectives and fast iteration.
• Ability to investigate technical problems methodically, continuously learn and communicate clearly.
• A highly analytical mindset and eagerness to solve technical problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with data pipeline orchestration and transformation tools such as Airflow, dbt, or comparable technologies.
• Familiarity with cloud data platforms, object storage and warehouses such as AWS S3, Redshift, Glue, Snowflake or comparable technologies.
• Familiarity integrating AI/agentic tooling into the data engineering SDLC.
• Experience with semantic data modeling, data lineage, and automated data quality testing.
• Familiarity with statistical methods or basic process analytics.
• Exposure to manufacturing, clinical laboratory operations, diagnostics, or biotechnology.
• Experience with version control systems such as Git and collaborative development practices.
• Basic understanding of APIs, file transfers, networking and system integrations.

The expected, full‑time, annual base pay scale for this position is $86K - $106K. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience, and location.

This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflect a good‑faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications.

• flexible time-off or vacation
• a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• carefully selected mindfulness programs.

Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies.

GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.

GRAIL maintains a drug‑free workplace. We welcome job‑seekers from all backgrounds to join us!

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.