SQL Data Engineer (Contractor) (Centurion)
IT – Analyst, Data Management ~ IT – Software Development
Pretoria/Centurion – Gauteng – South Africa
ENVIRONMENT:
A dynamic Investment Specialist seeks a highly skilled SQL Data Engineer to fill a Contracting role where you will do SQL Backend Development, elicit and document business requirements directly from data clients while delivering innovative solutions. You will also develop and maintain ETL/ELT data pipelines using SSIS and AWS Glue for large-scale data ingestion and transformation, deliver high-quality service and contribute to a positive and energizing workplace culture. The successful incumbent must possess a BSc. IT Degree or similar tertiary qualification with 5 years’ hands-on SQL development experience – Experience in warehouse, data lake, or data vault development using SSIS and SQL Transact will be considered here – not just fluency in SQL for 10 years & have 5+ years’ Python for data processing, automation, and ETL/ELT pipeline development.
DUTIES:
Core Responsibilities –
- Expert-level SQL Backend development (not application development).
- Elicit and document business requirements directly from data clients.
- Deliver innovative solutions aligned with business needs and strategies.
- Develop and maintain ETL/ELT data pipelines using SSIS and AWS Glue for large-scale data ingestion and transformation.
- Implement database solutions with partitioning, indexing, and stored procedures to improve query execution times.
- Automate deployment pipelines using GitLab CI/CD to streamline development and operational workflows.
- Implement data governance frameworks, access controls, and compliance protocols to meet financial industry regulations.
Collaboration –
- Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders.
- Deliver consistent, high-quality service while managing expectations.
- Promote a feedback-driven and service-oriented culture.
Self-Management & Teamwork –
- Contribute to a positive and energizing workplace culture.
- Align individual performance with team and organizational goals.
- Encourage and embrace innovation, agility, and collaboration.
- Take ownership of personal development through effective performance planning and feedback.
REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications –
- Relevant tertiary qualification (e.g., BSc IT or similar).
Experience/Skills –
- Minimum 5 years of hands-on SQL development experience. (Experience in warehouse, data lake, or data vault development using SSIS and SQL Transact will be considered here – not just fluency in SQL for 10 years).
- 5 Years+ of Python for data processing, automation, and ETL/ELT pipeline development.
- Advanced proficiency in SQL Transact, SQL Server, SSIS, and SSRS, including performance tuning and query optimization.
- Experience in data warehouse, data lake, or data vault development using SSIS and SQL Transact.
- Strong knowledge of AWS services related to data management.
- Proficiency in GitLab for version control, CI/CD automation, and deployment pipelines.
- Experience with Python libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, PySpark, and SQLAlchemy for data manipulation and integration.
- Knowledge of Visual Studio, MDS, and Power BI.
- Experience in ETL/ELT pipeline development, data integration strategies, and best practices in Data Engineering.
- Database Administration (DBA) experience, including index management, query optimization, and performance tuning.
- Working experience in an Agile environment (Scrum, Kanban) with sprint planning and backlog grooming.
- Proficiency in implementing DevOps practices for automated deployments, monitoring, and alerting.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on Backend SQL development.
Financial Industry Expertise:
- At least 5 years’ experience in Financial Services (preferred)
- Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, data governance, and financial data structures.
ATTRIBUTES:
- Strong ability to gather and document requirements directly from stakeholders.
- Exceptional collaboration and relationship-building skills.
- Agility in problem-solving and adapting to changing priorities.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on backend SQL development.
- Can work independently and in teams to deliver robust data solutions.
- Able to translate a documented specification into a robust implemented solution.