Junior Data Engineer - Build Reliable Data Pipelines (Remote) in London

We are looking for a Junior Data Engineer who’s excited to contribute to a growing Data Operations function within a SaaS business. In this role, you’ll help build and maintain reliable, high-quality data pipelines that support internal reporting, analytics, and operational needs across the company. Working closely with the Data Engineer and the wider Data Operations team, you’ll help develop scalable data processes, maintain trusted datasets, and support the smooth operation of our enterprise data platform. You’ll assist in integrating new internal data sources, improving data quality, and helping to create well-governed data assets that enable accurate reporting, meaningful insights, and future analytical work. This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their data engineering career who wants hands-on experience with modern cloud data technologies, solid engineering best practices, and real-world data challenges. You’ll grow your technical skills while contributing to initiatives that help teams across the business make informed, data-driven decisions.

The responsibilities of the role include:

• Build and maintain reliable data pipelines that load and transform data within our enterprise data lake.
• Develop and maintain data transformations using PySpark and SQL to support internal reporting and analytics needs.
• Ingest and integrate data from internal and approved external sources using a variety of integration patterns and APIs.
• Apply and monitor data quality checks to help ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency across datasets.
• Support day-to-day data operations, including job monitoring, incident triage, reruns, backfills, and general platform maintenance.
• Assist with root-cause analysis and post-incident improvements to enhance pipeline reliability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather clear data and reporting requirements, document outcomes, and translate needs into well-defined technical tasks.
• Record and manage work items in JIRA, ensuring tasks are well-organized, up-to-date, and clearly documented.
• Contribute to data governance activities, including data cataloging, metadata upkeep, documentation, and adherence to security and access standards.
• Maintain clear technical documentation for data pipelines, workflows, and operational procedures.
• Work with the Data Engineer and wider Data Operations team to support analytics, reporting initiatives, and internal data consumers.

What we’re looking for:

Must have skills and experience:

• 1–3 years’ experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, or a related role.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in computer science, data & analytics, or a related discipline.
• Solid knowledge of Python and SQL.
• Hands-on experience building or maintaining data pipelines.
• Practical experience with PySpark (DataFrames and Spark SQL).
• Familiarity with cloud storage concepts (e.g. Amazon S3).
• Experience working with data tables and basic data modelling concepts.
• Experience writing technical documentation.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Eagerness to learn and grow in the field of data engineering.

Advantageous skills/experience:

• Experience working with Databricks and Delta Lake.
• Experience integrating data via REST APIs.
• Exposure to data quality frameworks or validation techniques.
• Basic understanding of data governance or access control concepts.
• Experience with AWS-based data platforms.
• Familiarity with BI and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or AWS QuickSight.

We look for the following SMART values in everyone we hire at Smart Communications:

• Speak Openly - We are positive, creative, helpful, kind and we have fun. We listen and provide constructive feedback. Through meaningful conversations we encourage each other to be the best that we can be. We’re not complainers we’re problem solvers.
• Make a Difference - We focus on the things that matter and prioritize the things that have the greatest impact. We celebrate success and hold ourselves accountable for our choices. We don’t sit on the sidelines.
• Agile & Flexible - We are focused on evolving, improving and growing. We think differently and challenge the status quo with open minds. We ask ‘why?’ so that we can help remove complexity. We don’t allow hurdles to get in our way.
• Results-Focused - We get stuff done by being efficient, working at pace and paying attention to detail. We focus on finding solutions and fixing things. We don’t believe in being busy for the sake of being busy, we focus on productivity.
• Teamwork - We are stronger and better together. We collaborate, trust and support each other to deliver results for our company and our customers. We don’t want anyone to feel disengaged, we’re in this together!

What’s the deal? We will provide you with the tools, equipment and support to give you the best possible chance of success and over-achieving your goals. Salary will depend on your experience and will be highly competitive. All our packages include an annual bonus based on the company’s performance, so we are all incentivized to over-achieve! In addition to a friendly, flexible and fun working environment, we provide a range of other benefits, including extensive health insurance, income protection, life assurance, subsidised gym membership, leisure travel insurance, pension contribution, Cycle2Work and childcare vouchers, as well as 25 days’ holiday allowance plus an additional day off for your birthday! Located in Covent Garden, our offices are comfortable, flexible, and are always stocked with free beverages and fresh fruit. This role is fully remote.

So, if we interest you, please let us know by applying for this position and tell us all about yourself.

Please note: we only consider applicants with current legal right to work in the countries in which our positions are based. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status or gender identity.