Junior Data Engineer: Build Data Pipelines & Models

Sasso Consulting (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 391,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

Sasso Consulting (Pty) Ltd seeks a Junior Data Engineer in Blouberg, Cape Town to join a data-driven team. You will help build and maintain data infrastructure that supports BI, analytics and ML initiatives.

Responsibilities include developing ETL/ELT pipelines, designing data models, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with Data Scientists and Business Analysts. This role suits someone with a solid SQL foundation and a desire to grow technical capabilities.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Computer Science, IT, Data Science or related discipline.
• Previous practical experience in a Data Engineering, Data Analytics, BI, Database or similar technical environment.
• Good working knowledge of SQL.
• Understanding of ETL/ELT concepts and data pipelines.
• Understanding of relational databases and database structures.
• Exposure to data warehousing concepts.

Responsibilities

• Build, maintain and monitor reliable ETL and ELT data pipelines.
• Assist with ingesting data from multiple source systems, including databases, APIs and third-party platforms.
• Monitor pipeline performance and identify potential failures or bottlenecks.
• Assist with improving the reliability, scalability and efficiency of existing pipelines.
• Support scheduled and automated data processing workflows.
• Assist with the design and maintenance of data models and database schemas.
• Create and maintain data warehouse tables to support analytics and reporting requirements.
• Work with dimensional modelling concepts, including star and snowflake schemas.
• Assist with structuring data to ensure it is accessible, consistent and suitable for downstream users.
• Support ongoing improvements to the organisation's data architecture.
• Implement data validation and quality checks across pipelines and datasets.
• Assist with automated testing of data processes.
• Monitor data accuracy, completeness and freshness.
• Investigate discrepancies and identify the source of data-quality issues.
• Help ensure that datasets delivered to downstream users are reliable and fit for purpose.
• Develop and maintain SQL queries used for data extraction, transformation and reporting.
• Troubleshoot slow-running or inefficient queries.
• Assist with query optimisation and database performance improvements.
• Refactor existing queries and code where required to improve efficiency and maintainability.
• Monitor existing pipelines and investigate failures.
• Troubleshoot data integration and processing issues.
• Assist with resolving production data incidents.
• Refactor and improve existing code as the data environment evolves.
• Support ongoing maintenance of the organisation's data infrastructure.
• Work closely with Data Scientists and Business Analysts to understand their data requirements.
• Translate reporting, analytics and machine-learning requirements into reliable datasets.
• Assist stakeholders with understanding available data sources and structures.
• Participate in technical discussions relating to data architecture, pipelines and data quality.
• Maintain clear technical documentation for data pipelines and processes.
• Maintain data dictionaries and definitions.
• Document data models, schemas and transformations.
• Record relevant architectural decisions and changes.
• Ensure documentation remains accurate as systems and processes evolve.

Skills

SQL

Data pipelines

ETL/ELT

Data modelling

Data warehouse concepts

Dimensional modelling

Collaboration

Documentation

Performance optimisation

Education

Relevant degree in Computer Science / IT / Data Science

Job description

Sasso Consulting (Pty) Ltd seeks a Junior Data Engineer in Blouberg, Cape Town to join a data-driven team. You will help build and maintain data infrastructure that supports BI, analytics and ML initiatives.

Responsibilities include developing ETL/ELT pipelines, designing data models, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with Data Scientists and Business Analysts. This role suits someone with a solid SQL foundation and a desire to grow technical capabilities.