At a Glance
- Tasks: Build scalable data models and production-grade pipelines for power grid modelling.
- Company: Join Squid, a Y Combinator-backed startup revolutionising energy transition.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and the chance to work with industry leaders.
- Other info: High-ownership role with excellent career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be a founding engineer tackling critical infrastructure challenges in clean energy.
- Qualifications: Experience in Python, SQL, and building production data pipelines.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 200000 £ per year.
Squid is a Y Combinator-backed London startup building an agentic modelling platform for power grids to solve the energy transition's biggest bottleneck. Backed by YC and working with leaders like National Grid, Squid provides a versioned, auditable source of truth where humans and AI agents work together on complex infrastructure modeling.
Join Squid as a founding data engineer to build the production-grade foundations of our grid modeling platform. You will design scalable data models and high-integrity pipelines that unify messy legacy infrastructure data into an auditable source of truth, enabling humans and AI agents to modernize national power systems safely and efficiently.
Location: London, UK
Why this role is remarkable:
- Join as one of the first engineers at a YC-backed company tackling the critical infrastructure bottleneck preventing the global transition to clean energy.
- Work directly with founders from National Grid, Octopus Energy, and AWS while partnering with industry giants like National Grid and Northern Powergrid.
- Shape the entire data architecture from the ground up in a high-ownership role that combines data engineering, software design, and applied AI.
What You Will Do:
- Build production data pipelines and DAG-based orchestration systems to ingest, transform, and validate complex, inconsistent technical and geospatial grid datasets.
- Design scalable data models and storage systems that serve as a versioned, auditable source of truth for power grid modeling and decision-making.
- Develop APIs and services that integrate processed data into agentic AI systems, ensuring high-quality foundations for collaborative human-AI grid planning.
The ideal candidate:
- Strong professional experience in Python and SQL, with a proven track record of building and maintaining production data pipelines and DAG orchestration.
- Expertise in designing complex data models, schemas, and transformation layers, particularly when dealing with messy, incomplete, or poorly documented source data.
- Solid software engineering fundamentals including testing, code review, and maintainable system design, with a deep interest in applying AI to technical engineering problems.
Software Engineer (Data Platforms) (£75k-£200k + Equity) at Squid in London employer: Jack & Jill
At Jack & Jill, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture. Our team enjoys a range of benefits including flexible working arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative environment that encourages creativity and growth. Located in a vibrant area, we offer unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge technology and the chance to work with industry leaders in AI-driven marketing strategies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer (Data Platforms) (£75k-£200k + Equity) at Squid in London
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Jack & Jill or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Jack & Jill.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Jack & Jill.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Jack & Jill that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer (Data Platforms) (£75k-£200k + Equity) at Squid in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Jack & Jill.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Jack & Jill and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jack & Jill
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Jack & Jill uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
