Junior Data Engineer: Build Reliable Data Pipelines

Old Mutual; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Mutual seeks a Junior Data Engineer to join the technology team. You will build, test, maintain and support data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes and datasets with guidance from senior engineers. You’ll contribute to data solutions while adhering to governance and OMIG engineering standards.

You will grow in a collaborative Agile environment, clarifying requirements with stakeholders, delivering iterations and improving data quality, security, and operational reliability across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Mathematics or a related field, or equivalent relevant learning and practical experience.
• Early-career experience or practical exposure to data engineering, software engineering, analytics engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Foundational knowledge of SQL and relational database concepts (mandatory).
• Exposure to Python and/or C# development.
• An understanding of ETL/ELT, data pipelines, data integration and data quality principles.
• Exposure to source control and software development practices; familiarity with CI/CD or DevOps practices is advantageous.
• An understanding of testing, documentation and structured problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, maintain and support defined data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes, integrations and datasets.
• Assist with the design and implementation of data solutions in line with approved architecture, governance and OMIG engineering standards.
• Clarify requirements with the Product Owner, stakeholders and team members, and deliver assigned work within agreed iterations.
• Demonstrate increasing independence while seeking guidance when requirements, standards or technical approaches are unclear.
• Produce maintainable code that follows approved coding, source-control, testing and documentation standards.
• Keep development changes source controlled in accordance with the agreed Git workflow.
• Resolve review feedback timeously and apply lessons from previous reviews to future work.
• Validate data accuracy and contribute to reliable, fit-for-purpose outcomes.
• Participate fully in Agile events and the release train, maintain accurate Jira records and keep assigned work current.
• Communicate progress, blockers, risks, dependencies and support needs timeously.
• Work constructively with business stakeholders, software engineers and data consumers to resolve clearly defined issues.
• Apply required security, access, data-governance, change-control and evidence requirements to assigned work.
• Identify and elevate control gaps, non-compliance or uncertainty before implementation.
• Follow approved release, change and recovery processes.
• Monitor and support assigned solutions in line with documented support and escalation procedures.
• Respond to incidents within agreed processes, document findings and assist with troubleshooting and root-cause analysis.
• Contribute to preventative improvements, monitoring and support documentation.
• Broaden technical capability through structured learning, coaching and practical application.
• Contribute to documentation, knowledge sharing, automation and practical improvements to team processes and solutions.
• Remain open to constructive feedback and demonstrate growing independence in delivery, testing, troubleshooting and production support.

Skills

Action planning

Application development

Cloud computing

Cloud infrastructure management

Computer network security

Current state assessment

Database queries

Data classification

Data compilation

Data compression

Data modeling

Data recovery

IT architecture

IT network security

Test case management

Education

NQF Level 7 - Degree or equivalent

Job description

Old Mutual seeks a Junior Data Engineer to join the technology team. You will build, test, maintain and support data pipelines, ETL/ELT processes and datasets with guidance from senior engineers. You’ll contribute to data solutions while adhering to governance and OMIG engineering standards.

You will grow in a collaborative Agile environment, clarifying requirements with stakeholders, delivering iterations and improving data quality, security, and operational reliability across projects.