Senior Data Engineer (South Africa)

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.

• Design and build robust, scalable, and high-performance ETL/ELT data pipelines
• Develop and implement solutions using advanced programming languages (e.g., Python, SQL, DBT)
• Optimize and performance-tune complex data workflows and queries to handle massive data volumes and ensure minimal latency
• Assist with the design and implementation of data models for Data Warehouses (Snowflake etc.)
• Implement data quality frameworks (validation, monitoring, and testing) to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and completeness
• Establish comprehensive error logging and alerting systems for pipeline health and failure remediation
• Apply DevOps practices to data infrastructure, often involving Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform)
• Effectively leverage knowledge, expertise and experience to lead and deliver projects
• Effectively support and mentor data engineers
• Stakeholder management throughout all business departments
• Collaborate with other engineers and analysts to execute projects
• Perform research and constantly stay on top of the industry’s trends
• Engage and proactively seek opportunities for improvement through ongoing learning

• 5+ years experience in the Data industry
• 4+ years experience in a Data Engineering role
• Expert in SQL to then implement where needed in Data Warehousing systems and Data Pipelines
• PostgreSQL / MySQL / Python / R / Redshift / Snowflake experience
• Experience in database design and database management
• A sound understanding of data management principles, including data quality assurance and data governance
• Experience in source code and version control systems
• Experience with infrastructure automation (Terraform)
• Familiarity working with containerized services (Docker and Kubernetes)
• Experience in the shipment of data using various methods, such as ETL/ELT, within tools such as Airflow (MWAA), Argo, dbt
• Experience using services within the AWS ecosystem (e.g, RDS, EC2, Redshift, EKS)
• Understanding or knowledge of Linux commands (bash scripting)
• Manages multiple projects, resolves challenges swiftly, delivers adaptable approaches, and values diverse opinions.
• Takes ownership, anticipates new problems, tests solutions, and mentors on effective problem-solving techniques.
• Sets quarterly goals aligned with team objectives, tracks progress in Workday, and communicates barriers to the manager.
• Demonstrates expert understanding, introduces new tools/methodologies, and provides team training to enhance productivity.
• Tailors messages for audience understanding, engages respectfully in team meetings, synthesizes thoughts effectively, presents confidently, and actively listens to stakeholders.
• Consistently builds and maintains key stakeholder relationships, perceived as a trusted partner.