Junior Data Engineer

Proxy Foods AI; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Proxy Foods AI is seeking a junior data engineer to help build and maintain data pipelines powering analytics and product features. You will work with SQL, Python, and data modeling on datasets across ingredients, nutrition, costs, and compliance.

The role emphasizes learning fast in a startup environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and applying AI/LLM-enabled workflows with proper validation and documentation.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of data engineering or related data-focused roles.
• Strong foundation in SQL and Python.
• Experience with ETL/ELT concepts and data modeling.
• Familiarity with relational databases, APIs, JSON/CSV files.

Responsibilities

• Support development and maintenance of ETL/ELT pipelines across sources.
• Clean, normalize, validate, and structure datasets related to ingredients, specs, nutrition, costs, compliance.
• Write SQL and Python to transform data and improve quality.
• Maintain data models and storage layers used for analytics and product features.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and food science teams to understand data needs.
• Monitor pipeline performance, investigate issues, and improve reliability.
• Learn and apply AI/LLM-assisted workflows under guidance for data tasks.
• Document data flows and transformations clearly.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data quality

Git

Tools

pandas

SQLAlchemy

Azure

Job description

Proxy Foods is an advanced AI-powered product development and recipe formulation platform trusted by leading R&D teams to create, reformulate, andoptimizefood & beverage products at scale and in record time.

We help food and beverage companies move from idea toviableformulation faster by unifying fragmented R&D data: ingredients, specs, cost, nutrition, processing constraints, and compliance. As a result, teams launch new products with fewer failed trials, reformulate faster based on consumer feedback and margin pressure, and stay ahead on trends and regulatory requirements.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a curious, motivated, and detail-oriented Junior Data Engineer to join our team.

This role is ideal for someone with strong foundational SQL and Python skills who wants to grow quickly by working on real-world data challenges in a startup environment. You will support the development of data pipelines, integrations, and data models that power both internal analytics and product features, while learning from a cross-functional team of engineers, product builders, and domain experts.

We are especially interested in someone who is eager to keep learning and stay current with modern data tooling and AI/LLM-enabled workflows, while building strong data engineering fundamentals.

In this role, you will:

• Support the development and maintenance of ETL/ELT pipelines across APIs, databases, files, and external data sources
• Clean, normalize,validate, and structure datasets related to ingredients, specifications, nutrition, costs, and compliance
• Write SQL and Python code to transform data and improve data quality
• Helpmaintaindata models and storage layers used for analytics, reporting, and product features
• Work closely with product, engineering, and food science teams to understand data needs and business context
• Monitor pipeline performance, investigate issues, and help improve reliability and observability
• Learn and apply AI/LLM-assisted workflows whereappropriate fordata extraction, normalization, enrichment, and structuring tasks under clear guidance and validation practices
• Document data flows, transformations, and operational processes clearly and consistently

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• 1-3 years of experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, software engineering, or a related data-focused role
• Good foundation in SQL and Python
• Familiarity with data transformation, ETL/ELT concepts, and structured datasets
• Exposure to relational databases, APIs, JSON/CSV files, and basic data modeling concepts
• Strong attention to detail and a mindset for data quality and correctness
• Eagerness to learn new tools, technologies, and ways of working in a fast-moving startup environment
• Curiosity about where the data industry is heading, including modern cloud platforms and AI/LLM-enabled workflows
• Strong communicationskills and willingness to collaborate across technical and non-technical teams

Nice to have:

• Exposure to cloud data platforms such as Azure
• Familiarity with Git and basic software development workflows
• Experience with pandas,SQLAlchemy, or similar Python tools for data work
• Basic understanding of BI/reporting tools or dashboarding
• Interest in AI, LLMs, or data products beyond traditional reporting

WHY JOIN PROXY

• Work on real product and data problems at the intersection of AI and the food industry
• Learn fast in a startup environment with meaningful ownership from day one
• Build strong data engineering fundamentals while gaining exposure to modern AI-enabled workflows
• Collaborate with a small, ambitious, cross-functional team
• Grow your role as the company and platform scale