Data Engineer Junior

About the Role

Alta is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Data Engineer to join our expanding data team. In this role, you will help design, build, and maintain data pipelines that power our research analytics and business intelligence workflows. You will work closely with senior engineers and data scientists to ensure data is collected, processed, and stored in a reliable, trustworthy, and ethical manner.

You will also play a supporting role in a large-scale IT migration, helping to ensure data integrity and continuity throughout the transition. This is a great opportunity for someone early in their data engineering career who is passionate about data quality, responsible data practices, and building scalable infrastructure. This role is onsite in Boulder, CO. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, and maintenance of data processing pipelines (batch and/or streaming)
• Ingest, transform, and load data (ETL) from diverse sources into our federally secure data lakehouse     
• Apply FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) when structuring, documenting, and publishing datasets
• Monitor pipeline health, investigate failures, and implement fixes in a timely manner
• Collaborate with data analysts, data scientists, and product teams to understand data needs
• Write and maintain clear documentation for pipelines, data models, and data dictionaries
• Support a large-scale IT migration by assisting with data mapping, validation, and cutover activities to ensure data integrity and minimal disruption
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to engineering best practices

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field - or equivalent practical experience 
• 1 to 3 years industry experience
• Basic understanding of and training in FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), including their application to metadata management and data governance 
• Proficiency in Python and SQL for data transformation and querying
• Hands-on experience building or maintaining data processing pipelines using tools such as Nextflow, Apache Airflow, Prefect, or similar orchestration frameworks 
• Familiarity with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS) and storage solutions (e.g., S3, Spark) 
• Understanding of ETL/ELT concepts and data modeling fundamentals
• US Citizenship required.

Preferred, But Not Required:

• Experience with data quality frameworks and testing (e.g., dbt tests, Great Expectations)
• Exposure to streaming technologies such as Apache Kafka or Spark Streaming
• Familiarity with version control (Git) and CI/CD practices for data workflows
• Knowledge of data cataloging tools or metadata standards (e.g., OpenMetadata, DataHub, Dublin Core)
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to lead a breakthrough program redefining U.S. supply chain resilience in critical materials.
• A mission-driven, high-trust team operating at the intersection of innovation, national security, and sustainability.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package:
  • The salary range for this position is $90,000 - $120,000 commensurate with educational background and work experience. 
• Benefits include
  • 401(K)
  • Medical, dental, and vision plans, or equivalent will be provided
  • Flexible Time Off, Paid Sick Leave, Parental Leave, Company Holidays