Junior Data Engineer

Consulting Department

Location

Calgary, AB (Hybrid - 2 days/week)

Employment Type

Full-Time

Reporting To

Senior Data Engineer or Architect

Back to Careers

Role Overview

As a Junior Data Engineer, you'll support client projects by building data pipelines, writing SQL queries, and assisting with data platform implementations. This is an entry-level role ideal for recent graduates of our training programs or candidates with 0-2 years of experience. You'll receive hands-on mentorship and grow your skills on real enterprise projects.

Key Responsibilities

Data Engineering (60%)

  • •Build and maintain ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Databricks, or Fabric
  • •Write SQL queries for data transformations and validation
  • •Develop Python or Scala scripts for data processing
  • •Implement data quality checks and error handling
  • •Assist with data modeling (dimension and fact tables)
  • •Document data flows, pipelines, and transformations
  • •Perform unit testing on data pipelines
  • •Monitor pipeline executions and troubleshoot failures

Client Support (20%)

  • •Participate in client meetings and standups
  • •Gather requirements from business users
  • •Create technical documentation (runbooks, data dictionaries)
  • •Provide status updates on assigned tasks
  • •Support user acceptance testing (UAT) activities

Learning & Development (20%)

  • •Shadow senior engineers on architecture and design discussions
  • •Complete assigned training modules and certifications
  • •Participate in code reviews and learn best practices
  • •Attend weekly learning sessions and knowledge shares
  • •Work toward Microsoft certifications (DP-203, DP-900, etc.)
  • •Ask questions and seek feedback on your work

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
    OR
    Completion of Ripotek's Azure Data Engineer or Databricks Engineer training program
    OR
    Equivalent self-taught experience with demonstrable projects
  • 0-2 years of professional experience in data engineering, analytics, or BI
  • Internship or co-op experience in data/tech is a plus
  • Personal projects or GitHub portfolio demonstrating data skills

Technical Skills

SQL:

Proficiency in writing SELECT, JOIN, GROUP BY, window functions

Python:

Basic scripting (pandas, requests, file I/O)

Azure Basics:

Familiarity with Azure portal, resource groups, storage accounts

Data Concepts:

Understanding of ETL/ELT, data warehousing, data lakes

Version Control:

Basic Git (clone, commit, push, pull)

Tools:

Comfortable with VS Code, Azure Data Studio, or similar IDEs

Nice to Have

  • •Exposure to Azure Data Factory, Databricks, or Synapse
  • •Power BI for data visualization
  • •Spark or Scala basics
  • •Understanding of CI/CD concepts
  • •Experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)

Soft Skills

  • Eagerness to learn and grow
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to follow instructions and ask clarifying questions
  • Good time management and ability to meet deadlines
  • Team player and collaborative mindset
  • Receptive to feedback and coaching
  • Good written and verbal communication

Preferred Qualifications

  • ✓Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
  • ✓Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) or actively pursuing
  • ✓Completion of Ripotek training program with strong performance
  • ✓Internship at a tech company or consulting firm
  • ✓Contributions to open-source projects
  • ✓Personal blog or portfolio showcasing data projects

What We Offer

Compensation & Benefits

  • •Competitive entry-level salary: $65K-$80K
  • •Annual performance bonus (5-10% of salary)
  • •RRSP matching (3% of salary)
  • •Health, dental, and vision benefits
  • •Professional development budget ($2,500/year)
  • •Certification exam fees covered (DP-900, DP-203, etc.)

Work Environment

  • •Hybrid: 2 days/week in Calgary office for collaboration and mentorship
  • •Flexible hours (core hours 10am-3pm MT)
  • •MacBook Pro or Surface Laptop
  • •Home office setup allowance ($1,000)
  • •Modern downtown office

Growth & Development

  • •Structured onboarding and mentorship program (first 90 days)
  • •Pair programming with senior engineers
  • •Bi-weekly 1-on-1s with your manager
  • •Clear career path: Junior → Intermediate → Senior Data Engineer
  • •Exposure to multiple clients and industries
  • •Encouraged to pursue Microsoft certifications
  • •Annual performance reviews with skill development plans

Culture

  • •Supportive, learning-focused environment
  • •No expectation to know everything - asking questions is encouraged!
  • •Diverse team with varied backgrounds
  • •Work on meaningful projects for real clients
  • •Collaborative, low-pressure culture
  • •Celebrates learning and growth

What Success Looks Like (First Year)

Months 1-3:

Complete onboarding, shadow senior engineers, work on small pipeline tasks

Months 4-6:

Independently build simple pipelines, participate in code reviews, earn DP-900 cert

Months 7-9:

Lead small modules on projects, mentor newer juniors, start DP-203 prep

Months 10-12:

Contribute to architecture discussions, earn DP-203 cert, take on more complex tasks

Interview Process

1

Phone Screen (30 min)

HR and hiring manager

2

Technical Assessment (take-home, 2-3 hours)

Build a simple data pipeline

3

Technical Interview (60 min)

SQL queries, Python coding, Azure basics

4

Behavioral Interview (30 min)

Learning agility, teamwork, problem-solving

5

Team Meet (30 min)

Casual conversation with your potential teammates

Timeline:2 weeks from application to offer

Start Your Data Engineering Career

Join our team and learn from experienced engineers on real enterprise projects.