Specialist Data Engineer

Absa Group; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 900 000; Full time

Job summary

A South African banking institution seeks a Specialist Data Engineer to join the Treasury IT team in Randburg. This role requires advanced SAS programming skills and responsibilities include designing data architectures and optimizing data pipelines to support regulatory compliance and risk strategies. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of experience in data engineering and strong collaboration skills. This is an opportunity to contribute to impactful data solutions in a renowned financial institution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data engineering with significant hands‑on experience in SAS development.
• Exposure to Treasury, FTP, or Liquidity Management is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data retrieval, processing, storage, and distribution solutions.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain SAS‑based data pipelines and analytics tools.
• Implement robust data quality frameworks and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Work closely with data scientists and analysts to deliver data assets.
• Monitor and optimize performance of data solutions for cost-effectiveness.

Skills

Advanced SAS programming and data integration

Data architecture and pipeline design

CI/CD, Jenkins, scripting (e.g., Python, Shell, Ansible)

Familiarity with relational and NoSQL databases

Understanding of data warehousing and ETL frameworks

Analytical thinking and problem‑solving

Adaptability and learning agility

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration and mentoring

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAS

Jenkins

Ansible

Docker

Job description

Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together…one story at a time.

With over 100 years of rich history and strongly positioned as a local bank with regional and international expertise, a career with our family offers the opportunity to be part of this exciting growth journey, to reset our future and shape our destiny as a proudly African group.

Job Summary

Work embedded as a member of squad OR; across multiple squads to produce, test, document and review algorithms & data specific source code that supports the deployment & optimisation of data retrieval, processing, storage and distribution for a business area.

Job Description

As a Specialist Data Engineer in the Treasury IT team, you will play a critical role in delivering high-quality data solutions that underpin the Funds Transfer Pricing (FTP) and Funding & Liquidity Management domains. This role demands deep technical expertise in SAS, a strong understanding of data architecture, and a commitment to regulatory compliance (RDARR, BCBS239). You will be responsible for designing, building, and optimizing data pipelines and analytics tools that support Treasury’s risk and funding strategies. With a focus on flexibility and adaptability, you will also contribute to the evolution of the data platform, ensuring readiness for future technologies and integration patterns.

Key Responsibilities

1. Data Architecture & Ecosystem Design

• Translate business and regulatory requirements into scalable, secure, and performant data architectures.
• Design and implement data retrieval, processing, storage, and distribution solutions aligned with Group Architecture and Infrastructure standards.
• Leverage SAS and other enterprise‑grade platforms to build sustainable data solutions that support Treasury’s FTP and liquidity management objectives.
• Ensure all solutions are aligned with RDARR and BCBS239 principles, enabling transparency, auditability, and data lineage.

2. Engineering Delivery & Platform Evolution

• Develop, optimize, and maintain SAS‑based data pipelines and analytics tools to support high‑volume, high‑integrity data processing.
• Apply test‑driven development and domain‑driven design in a cross‑domain environment.
• Build and maintain CI/CD pipelines using tools like Jenkins, and deploy solutions across multi‑site environments.
• Automate data processing and infrastructure tasks using scripting and orchestration tools (e.g., Ansible, Docker).
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to evolving technologies and platforms, contributing to the team’s ability to adapt to future enterprise data strategies.

3. Data Governance, Quality & Compliance

• Implement robust data quality frameworks, validation routines, and reconciliation processes.
• Ensure all data solutions meet internal and external regulatory standards, including RDARR and BCBS239.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation and support governance processes such as CTO approvals and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with QA and Security teams to ensure secure, compliant, and high‑quality data solutions.

4. Collaboration, Mentorship & Capability Building

• Work closely with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to deliver fit‑for‑purpose data assets.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the technical growth of the broader team.
• Conduct peer reviews, support testing, and lead collaborative problem‑solving initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of user materials and support change management efforts.

5. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and optimize the performance of data solutions, ensuring cost‑effectiveness and scalability.
• Stay current with global best practices in data engineering, SAS development, and data architecture.
• Proactively identify opportunities to improve and automate data processes across the value chain.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years in data engineering, with significant hands‑on experience in SAS development.
• Domain Expertise: Exposure to Treasury, FTP, or Liquidity Management is highly advantageous.

Core Skills & Competencies

Technical Expertise

• Advanced SAS programming and data integration
• Data architecture and pipeline design
• CI/CD, Jenkins, scripting (e.g., Python, Shell, Ansible)
• Familiarity with relational and NoSQL databases
• Understanding of data warehousing and ETL frameworks

Governance & Compliance

• Strong knowledge of RDARR, BCBS239, and data governance principles
• Experience in secure data handling, documentation, and audit readiness

Soft Skills

• Analytical thinking and problem‑solving
• Adaptability and learning agility to support evolving enterprise platforms
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement
• Team collaboration and mentoring

Absa Bank Limited is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. In compliance with the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, preference will be given to suitable candidates from designated groups whose appointments will contribute towards achievement of equitable demographic representation of our workforce profile and add to the diversity of the Bank.

Absa Bank Limited reserves the right not to make an appointment to the post as advertised.