Senior Data Engineer
Aircapture · Berkeley, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $200,000 / year
- Berkeley, CA
Job highlights
- Shape data foundation for climate technology.
- Own data pipelines, models, and analyses.
- Build and operate production data systems.
- Utilize AWS, Ignition, SQL, and Python.
- Collaborate cross-functionally on impactful projects.
About the role
About Aircapture
At Aircapture, we are dedicated to solving the climate crisis through innovative technology. We provide commercial and industrial customers with clean CO₂ captured directly from the atmosphere, aiming to improve the environment, economy, and lives. We value a diverse team with varied backgrounds to achieve our ambitious goals.
Role Overview: Senior Data Engineer
As a Senior Data Engineer at Aircapture, you will be instrumental in shaping the data foundation that powers our groundbreaking climate technology. You will own the pipelines, models, and analyses that transform operational data from our Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems into critical insights for our engineers and scientists. By collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, you will build and manage production data systems, setting high standards and making enduring architectural choices.
What You’ll Do Here
- Own and evolve Aircapture’s end-to-end data platform, utilizing both Ignition and AWS.
- Set technical direction for the data stack, evaluating tools, defining standards, and making durable architectural decisions.
- Standardize and enforce engineering workflows across the data stack, including version control, code review, CI/CD, testing, and documentation.
- Maintain and support on-prem server systems connected to the data stack.
- Partner closely with controls engineering on Ignition rollout.
Your Skills And Experience Include
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on industry experience; Master’s degree is preferred.
- 6+ years of experience building and operating mission-critical production data systems for novel technology.
- Solid experience with AWS and its services such as RDS, IAM, VPC, and S3.
- Strong SQL and Python expertise combined with solid engineering fundamentals in Git, CI/CD, and production workflows.
- Thorough background in dbt across the full model lifecycle, alongside orchestration tools like Airflow and Docker for production deployment.
- Strong analytical orientation toward data interpretation, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and adjust architectural decisions.
- Effective cross-functional collaborator and communicator, capable of translating ambiguity into scoped work and providing constructive pushback when necessary.
- Self-directed, resourceful, and highly ownership-oriented from scoping through delivery.
- Bonus points for experience with industrial data systems (Ignition, SCADA, time-series), BI tools, or the climate/energy domain.
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Aircapture is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace. We believe that every teammate contributes to our strength by diversifying our ideas, experiences, and viewpoints. We hope you will feel welcome here.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Data Engineer
- Data Platform
- AWS
- SQL
- Python
- dbt
- Airflow
- CI/CD
- Data Pipelines
- Production Data Systems
Skills & topics
- Senior Data Engineer
- Data Engineering
- Data Pipelines
- AWS
- Python
- SQL
- dbt
- Airflow
- CI/CD
- Climate Tech
- Ignition
- SCADA
- Berkeley
- Production Data Systems
- Data Architecture
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 6+ years of production data systems experience, AWS services (RDS, IAM, VPC, S3), and proficiency in SQL, Python, dbt, and Airflow. Emphasize any industrial data systems or climate/energy domain knowledge.
- Showcase ownership: Demonstrate your self-directed, resourceful, and ownership-oriented approach in your application and cover letter, providing examples of how you've driven projects from scoping to delivery.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss your experience with AWS, data pipeline architecture, SQL/Python coding, dbt lifecycle management, CI/CD practices, and your approach to data interpretation and architectural decision-making.
- Highlight collaboration: Articulate your ability to effectively collaborate cross-functionally, translate ambiguity into actionable work, and push back constructively when needed, providing specific examples from your experience.
- Research Aircapture's mission: Understand their commitment to solving the climate crisis and their values of diversity and inclusion. Align your application and interview responses with their mission-driven approach.
Technical preparation
Master AWS services: RDS, IAM, VPC, S3.,Build complex SQL queries and Python scripts.,Demonstrate dbt, Airflow, and Docker proficiency.,Practice CI/CD, Git, and testing workflows.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you owned a complex project.,How do you translate ambiguous requirements?,Share an instance of making durable architectural choices.,Explain how you collaborate cross-functionally.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key technical skills required for the Senior Data Engineer role at Aircapture?
- The Senior Data Engineer role at Aircapture requires strong expertise in building and operating production data systems. Key technical skills include proficiency in AWS services (RDS, IAM, VPC, S3), advanced SQL and Python, dbt across its full model lifecycle, orchestration tools like Airflow, and containerization with Docker. Experience with Git, CI/CD, and robust engineering fundamentals is also crucial. Familiarity with industrial data systems like Ignition or SCADA is a plus.
- How does Aircapture approach data engineering for its climate technology?
- Aircapture approaches data engineering by focusing on building a robust data foundation that supports its Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems. This involves owning end-to-end data platforms, setting technical direction for the data stack, standardizing engineering workflows, and maintaining on-prem server systems. The goal is to transform operational data into actionable insights for engineers and scientists, driving progress in climate technology.
- What is the expected career growth for a Senior Data Engineer at Aircapture?
- As Aircapture is a growing climate technology startup, a Senior Data Engineer can expect significant opportunities for impact and leadership. You'll have the chance to shape the company's data strategy, influence architectural decisions, and potentially mentor junior team members. Growth is tied to the company's mission and technological advancements, offering a path to influence the direction of data operations in a critical environmental sector.
- What makes the Senior Data Engineer position at Aircapture unique?
- This Senior Data Engineer position is unique because it places you at the forefront of climate technology innovation. You'll be responsible for the data infrastructure that directly supports efforts to combat the climate crisis. The role offers significant ownership, the opportunity to make durable architectural decisions, and the chance to work with cutting-edge technology in a mission-driven startup environment.
- Can I apply for the Senior Data Engineer role at Aircapture if I have equivalent experience but not a Bachelor's degree?
- Yes, Aircapture explicitly states that they consider candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field, 'or equivalent hands-on industry experience.' If you have substantial experience in building and operating production data systems, especially in mission-critical environments, your application will be considered.
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