North Carolina State University is seeking a Data Engineer to support the NSF-funded Programmable Cloud Lab Center’s research mission. In this onsite role in Raleigh, the engineer will build and maintain the data infrastructure that powers the SPEED national autonomous-science user facility, enabling reliable and reproducible scientific experiments.
Role Overview
The Data Engineer will focus on scientific data ingestion, transformation, processing, database and storage services, and data-quality and provenance checks. The work supports experiments across chemistry and materials science by ensuring data can be trusted, traced, and accessed effectively for user workflows.
Responsibilities
- Build and operate scientific data ingestion, transformation, and processing pipelines
- Design schemas for samples, experiments, metadata, provenance, and instrument outputs
- Maintain databases, object or time-series storage, indexing, and data-access services
- Implement automated data-quality, validation, unit, completeness, and provenance checks
- Integrate data systems with laboratory automation, software, AI, and user workflows
- Manage access controls, monitoring, backup and recovery, documentation, and user support
- Develop data dictionaries, API specifications, and schema documentation
- Support FAIR data practices and persistent identifiers
- Assist users with data access, export, and troubleshooting
- Evaluate new databases, storage technologies, and interoperability standards
- Participate in technical reviews, platform commissioning, and sponsor demonstrations
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, engineering, IT, or related field
- Proficiency in Python and SQL for data engineering and automation
- Experience with ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, data modeling, and schema design
- Knowledge of relational and document databases and structured scientific metadata
- Experience with Git, Linux, testing, monitoring, and technical documentation
- Experience implementing data quality, provenance, identifiers, access control, and backup or recovery processes
- Ability to collaborate with scientists and cross-functional teams including automation, software, AI, and IT
Technologies
- Python
- SQL
- ETL/ELT pipelines
- APIs
- Git
- Linux
- MongoDB
- PostgreSQL
Work Location and Compensation
- Location: Raleigh, NC (onsite)
- Salary: USD 70,000 - 80,000 per yearly
Department Context
The role supports the SPEED program, an NSF-funded national autonomous-science user facility. The department operates self-driving platforms for Expedited Experimental co-Design (SPEED), provides remote access to integrated self-driving laboratories, connects robotics, scientific instruments, AI, and data infrastructure, and enables reproducible experiments in chemistry and materials science. Users include academic, government, and industry research teams.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Flexible Spending Account
- Retirement Programs
- Disability Plans
- Life Insurance
- Accident Plan
- Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
- 12 Holidays Each Year
- Tuition and Academic Assistance
- Childcare benefits
- Wellness & Recreation Membership
- Wellness Programs
Application and Position Details
- Job Open Date: 09/17/2026
- Anticipated Close Date: 9/30/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications
- Position Number: 00112331
- Position Type: EPS/SAAO
- FTE: 1.0 (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
- Appointment: 12 Month Recurring
- Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
- Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
- Department ID: 230101 - Interdisciplinary Programs - SVP
- Valid NC Driver’s License Required: No
- Commercial Driver’s License Required: No
Special Instructions to Applicants
- Please include a resume, cover letter, and contact information for at least three professional references.
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.
