At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop data pipelines, dashboards, and backend services using Python and React.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on rail inspection innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by bridging data engineering and user applications in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Python and React, with strong problem-solving and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Role Summary
We are looking for a Full Stack Engineer with a data science focus who also brings frontend experience with React.
You will bridge the gap between data engineering and user-facing applications on Zula 2.0, the platform that ranks and fuses the output of our rail inspection systems – building both the backend data services and the interactive dashboards and tools that make inspection data accessible to stakeholders across the rail business.
This is the seat that decides what our analysts and customers actually see.
Zula 2.0 is the critical path for the team through the end of the year.
What We Expect From You
We expect an exceptional level of drive and ambition.
You think beyond today's work to what the team and organization need next, champion bold ideas, and see them through.
Your hunger is infectious – it inspires those around you to aim higher.
You should be someone who puts the team first.
You share credit openly, admit when you are wrong, and welcome feedback as an opportunity to grow.
You are comfortable saying "I don't know" and asking for help when needed.
Strong interpersonal skills are important for this role.
You should have good instincts for working with different people, listen actively, navigate disagreements constructively, and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.
You should be able to quickly grasp complex problems that span multiple systems or domains.
We expect you to design effective solutions for non-trivial requirements, identify root causes efficiently, and consider performance, scalability, and maintainability in your approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop data pipelines, ETL processes, and backend services using Python
- Build interactive dashboards, data visualization tools, and web applications using React
- Develop RESTful APIs that connect data services to frontend applications
- Work with large-scale rail inspection datasets including ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and operational data
- Implement and deploy machine learning models and statistical analyses in production environments
- Architect and manage AWS cloud infrastructure for data workloads (S3, Lambda, Glue, Athena, Sage Maker, Step Functions)
- Collaborate with domain experts to translate rail inspection requirements into technical solutions
- Write clean, tested, well-documented code following engineering best practices
- Participate in code reviews, sprint planning, and technical design discussions
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including inspection engineers, data scientists, and product managers
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and technical excellence
- Required Skills & Qualifications
- Strong proficiency in Python (Num Py, Pandas, Scikit-learn, or similar)
- Experience with React (hooks, state management, component architecture)
- Experience building data pipelines and working with structured and unstructured data
- Solid understanding of SQL and relational and non-relational databases
- Experience with AWS cloud services (S3, Lambda, EC2, RDS, Glue, or similar)
- Familiarity with modern frontend tooling (Type Script, Webpack/Vite, CSS frameworks)
- Understanding of software engineering principles (testing, code quality, design patterns)
- Familiarity with version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and agile development practices
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to learn new technologies quickly
- Good communication skills – able to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- A collaborative, team-first mindset aligned with our values of being Humble, Hungry, and Smart
Desirable Skills
- Experience with data visualization libraries (D3. js, Recharts, Plotly)
- Exposure to time-series data, geospatial data, or Io T data streams
- Experience presenting complex or uncertain data to non-specialist users
- Experience in rail testing, NDT, or sensor-based inspection industries (ultrasound, eddy current, electromagnetic, etc.)
- AWS certifications
- Experience with infrastructure-as-code (Cloud Formation, CDK, Terraform)
- Knowledge of containerization (Docker, ECS/Fargate)
Full Stack Engineer, Data Science Focus with React in Derby employer: Sperry Rail
Sperry Rail Service is an exceptional employer, offering CDL Drivers the chance to engage in meaningful work that enhances rail safety across the US. With a strong commitment to employee growth, extensive travel opportunities, and competitive compensation including a sign-on bonus, Sperry fosters a supportive work culture that values teamwork and innovation. Join us to be part of a leading global provider where your contributions directly impact the future of railway technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Full Stack Engineer, Data Science Focus with React in Derby
✨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 Sperry Rail 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 Sperry Rail.
✨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 Sperry Rail.
✨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 Sperry Rail 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 Full Stack Engineer, Data Science Focus with React in Derby
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 Sperry Rail.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Sperry Rail 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 Sperry Rail
✨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 Sperry Rail 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.
