Expert Data Engineer

Sabenza IT & Recruitment; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Sabenza IT & Recruitment in Pretoria is seeking an Expert Data Engineer to design and build secure, scalable data pipelines. You will implement real-time streaming solutions, integrate APIs and event-driven interfaces, and ensure data is trustworthy and ready for consumption across a global tech environment.

You will work with Kafka/MSK, AWS, Python and Java to develop pipelines, schemas and data models, focusing on performance, reliability and observability in production environments.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on data engineering experience with streaming.
• Strong Python and Java skills with production streaming.
• Experience building streaming platforms (Kafka/MSK) and API integrations.
• Familiarity with AWS services and data lakes.

Skills

Kafka

API integration

Python

Java

Databases

NoSQL

Data modelling

Schema registry

Data quality

Metadata management

ETL/ELT

Observability

Job description

Pretoria, South Africa | Posted on 22/09/2026

Ready to Build the Data Backbone Behind Next-Generation Technology?

If you’re the kind of Data Engineer who gets excited about Kafka, AWS, Python, Java, real-time streaming and solving complex data challenges, this could be your next big opportunity.

We’re looking for an Expert Data Engineer to join a high-performing global technology environment and play a key role in building secure, scalable and intelligent data integration solutions.

You won’t just be moving data from A to B. You’ll be designing the pipelines, platforms and integrations that make critical enterprise data available, trusted, discoverable and ready to be consumed in real time.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• Hands-on experience with Kafka and event streaming platforms for real-time data movement.
  
• Proven experience with API integration patterns, webhooks and event/webhook ingestion.
  
• Strong proficiency in Python for data engineering, ingestion pipelines and automation.
  
• Strong proficiency in Java for stream processing or connector development.
  
• Solid competence with enterprise databases and query languages, including performance tuning and query optimization for OLTP/operational workloads.
  
• Experience with NoSQL/document stores such as Amazon DynamoDB, MongoDB.
  
• Experience in data modelling to design schemas and standardized data representations.
  
• Experience with schema registries and contract-first designs (Avro, Protobuf) to manage producer/consumer compatibility.
  
• Strong understanding and practice of data quality techniques and tooling to ensure trusted data.
  
• Knowledge of metadata management and cataloging to support discoverability and lineage.
  
• Familiarity with ETL/ELT patterns and best practices for performant, reliable data pipelines.
  
• Observability for streaming: experience with metrics, tracing and logging on AWS (CloudWatch, OpenTelemetry, Prometheus/Grafana).
  

ADVANTAGEOUS SKILLS:

• Awareness of frontend frameworks (e.g., Angular) to better understand downstream consumers.
  
• Experience operating container platforms and orchestration (Kubernetes/EKS) for scalable stream processing on AWS.
  
• Familiarity with enterprise systems like SAP and working with their integration interfaces.
  
• Experience with big data ecosystems (e.g., EMR, S3, Hadoop) and distributed storage/processing on AWS.
  
• Working knowledge of AWS analytics/data platform services (Glue, Athena, Kinesis, Redshift, Lake Formation, MSK).
  
• Knowledge of message delivery semantics, partitioning strategies and capacity planning for high-throughput pipelines on AWS.
  

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive hands-on experience (typically 6+ years) in data engineering, integration or streaming roles with demonstrable production experience.
  
• Proven track record building and operating streaming platforms (Kafka/MSK) and API-based integrations, with strong Python and Java skills and experience with enterprise databases and query languages.
  
• Strong analytical thinking, curiosity about data, attention to detail, structured problem solving and ownership — able to drive topics to completion.
  
• Preferred certifications: Confluent Certified Developer for Apache Kafka, Microsoft streaming eventhubs, AWS Certified Data Engineer.
  
• Cutting edge global IT system landscape and processes.
  
• Flexible working of 1960 hours in a 12-month period.
  
• High Work-Life balance.
  
• Remote / On-site work location flexibility.
  
• Highly motivating, energetic, and fast-paced working environment.
  
• Modern, state-of-the-art offices.
  
• Dynamic Global Team collaboration.
  
• Application of the Agile Working Model Methodology.