Full-Time

Head of Data Platform

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Sylvera

Sylvera

51-200 employees

Measures biomass using lidar technology

Social Impact
AI & Machine Learning

Senior, Expert

London, UK

Hybrid role with access to an office in London.

Category
Data Management
Data Engineering
Data & Analytics
Required Skills
Airflow
Postgres
Snowflake
Requirements
  • Has proven experience in a leadership role within a data platform or engineering team, with a focus on people management and team growth.
  • Possesses a strong background in managing diverse data types (e.g., tabular, time-series, unstructured, geospatial data).
  • Has demonstrated expertise in implementing data mesh or similar decentralized data architecture paradigms.
  • Has solid understanding of data architecture, data governance, and data management best practices.
  • Can leverage past experience with data tools and technologies such as DBT, Snowflake, ArrayLake, Airflow, Dagster, and Postgres.
  • Has a track record of driving operational excellence, improving platform reliability, performance, and scalability.
  • Possesses excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
Responsibilities
  • Manage and mentor a small team of data engineers and analytics engineers fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Identify team development needs and provide ongoing coaching, training, and career growth opportunities.
  • Recruit and onboard new team members, ensuring the right balance of skills and experience.
  • Define and implement the strategic vision for Sylvera’s data platform, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the business and supports our mission of driving climate impact.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and management of scalable, secure, and resilient data infrastructure using tools such as DBT, Snowflake, ArrayLake, Airflow, Dagster, and Postgres.
  • Champion the adoption of data mesh principles, enabling decentralized and domain-oriented data ownership and governance.
  • Oversee the management of various data types including tabular data, time-series data, unstructured data, and geospatial data relevant to climate analytics.
  • Ensure the data platform can handle complex data workflows and support advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI initiatives related to environmental impact assessment.
  • Drive continuous improvement in data platform operations, focusing on reliability, performance, and cost-efficiency.
  • Establish and monitor KPIs to ensure data quality, accessibility, and security.
  • Implement best practices for data integration, data warehousing, and ETL/ELT processes, leveraging tools like Airflow, Dagster, and DBT to align with Sylvera's commitment to operational excellence.
  • Work closely with business stakeholders, product teams, and other technology leaders to align data initiatives with Sylvera's mission and business goals.
  • Facilitate communication and knowledge sharing across teams to ensure a cohesive approach to data strategy.
  • Stay abreast of emerging trends in data technologies and methodologies, applying innovative solutions to support Sylvera’s mission.
  • Scale the data platform and team capabilities in response to business growth, evolving from a small team to a more robust and mature data function.

Sylvera measures biomass using lidar scanners, focusing on tropical rainforests. The company has scanned over 16 million trees in Gabon and Peru and aims to expand its dataset through further research. Sylvera provides reliable carbon data to private organizations and governments, including corporate buyers, banks, and consultancies, helping them invest in effective climate action. Unlike competitors, Sylvera does not sell carbon credits or accept payments from developers for project ratings; instead, it generates revenue by selling access to its proprietary carbon data, which is developed in-house and peer-reviewed. This data is notably accurate, with estimates of above-ground biomass and carbon storage being up to 13 times more precise than traditional methods, thanks to advanced machine learning models that analyze their unique dataset in near real-time. Sylvera's goal is to support informed investment decisions in the carbon market by offering highly accurate carbon data.

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$94.7M

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

2020

Growth & Insights
Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

19%
Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Sylvera's partnerships with entities like ACX and the Singapore government enhance its credibility and market reach.
  • The introduction of tools like the Catalog & Screenings tool demonstrates Sylvera's commitment to innovation and improving carbon project identification.
  • Hiring experienced executives, such as the ex-Dropbox COO, positions Sylvera for strategic growth and operational excellence.

What critics are saying

  • The reliance on advanced technology like lidar scanners and machine learning models may lead to high operational costs.
  • The competitive landscape of the carbon market could pressure Sylvera to continuously innovate to maintain its edge.

What makes Sylvera unique

  • Sylvera's use of lidar scanners and advanced machine learning models provides carbon data that is up to 13 times more accurate than conventional estimates.
  • Unlike many competitors, Sylvera does not sell carbon credits or rate projects for developers, ensuring unbiased and reliable data.
  • Sylvera's proprietary data is peer-reviewed and developed in-house, offering a unique value proposition in the carbon market.

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