About Company
Safaricom PLC is a leading converged telecommunications service provider in Kenya, offering a comprehensive suite of services including mobile voice, data, M-PESA mobile money, and enterprise solutions. We are driven by a commitment to transforming lives and empowering communities through innovation and technology. As Kenya’s largest telecommunications company, Safaricom is at the forefront of digital transformation, constantly pushing boundaries in mobile, data, and financial services. Our mission is to create a better future for our customers by providing reliable, accessible, and cutting-edge solutions. We foster a dynamic and inclusive work environment where talent is nurtured, and innovation is celebrated, believing that our people are our greatest asset in achieving our ambitious goals. Join us and be part of a team that is building Africa’s digital future.
Job Description
A Senior Data Engineer at Safaricom PLC plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of data-driven decision-making for Kenya’s leading telecommunications provider. In this dynamic, remote-friendly position, you will be instrumental in designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable, and efficient data pipelines and data infrastructure that power our extensive range of services. You will tackle complex challenges related to large-scale data ingestion, transformation, and storage, working with diverse datasets that impact millions of lives across Kenya. This role demands a deep understanding of data warehousing principles, advanced ETL/ELT processes, and proficiency in big data technologies, alongside expertise in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
Your passion for transforming raw data into actionable insights will be critical as you develop innovative solutions that drive business growth and enhance customer experiences. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, business analysts, and software engineers, acting as a technical leader and subject matter expert. Your responsibilities will extend beyond mere technical execution to include strategic planning for data architecture, ensuring data quality, accessibility, and reliability across the enterprise. You will lead efforts in optimizing data flow, implementing rigorous data governance policies, and establishing best practices for data management and security. This will directly influence strategic business decisions, from network optimization and service development to personalized customer engagement.
If you are a seasoned data professional eager to contribute to a company that is at the forefront of technological advancement in Africa, and you thrive in an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, we encourage you to apply. We are looking for an individual who can not only solve complex technical problems but also mentor junior team members, articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and foster a culture of data excellence within the organization. This remote-first opportunity offers significant flexibility while ensuring you remain a fully integrated and valued member of our high-performing team, with access to cutting-edge tools and a commitment to professional development. Join us in leveraging the power of data to connect, empower, and transform lives across Kenya.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain scalable and robust ETL/ELT pipelines for large-scale data processing.
- Architect and implement data solutions on cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) including data warehousing and data lake structures.
- Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to understand data requirements and deliver data solutions.
- Ensure data quality, integrity, and security across all data platforms.
- Optimize existing data infrastructure for performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability.
- Implement and advocate for data governance best practices and data security protocols.
- Mentor junior data engineers and contribute to a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex data-related issues, ensuring minimal disruption to data services.
- Stay abreast of emerging data technologies and recommend their adoption where beneficial.
- Participate in code reviews and contribute to the evolution of our data platform's architecture.
Required Skills
- Expertise in SQL and experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle).
- Proficiency in at least one programming language for data engineering (Python, Scala, Java).
- Extensive experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, Kafka, Flink).
- Demonstrated experience with cloud data platforms (AWS Redshift, S3, Glue, Athena; Azure Data Factory, Synapse; GCP BigQuery, Dataflow).
- Strong understanding of data warehousing concepts, dimensional modeling, and ETL/ELT methodologies.
- Experience with version control systems (Git) and CI/CD pipelines.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for technical and non-technical audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.
- Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, Looker).
- Familiarity with containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Knowledge of streaming data architectures and real-time data processing.
- Experience in the telecommunications or financial services industry.
- Cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics, Azure Data Engineer Associate).
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive medical insurance and wellness programs.
- Generous paid time off and flexible working arrangements.
- Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.
- Remote work setup support and a collaborative virtual team environment.
- Employee stock options program.
- Contribution to impactful projects that serve millions of Kenyans.
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and a culture of innovation.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking on the application link below. Please ensure your resume and cover letter clearly highlight your relevant experience and skills. While this role offers a remote option, we encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with Safaricom’s commitment to innovation and community. Please navigate to the careers section, search for ‘Senior Data Engineer’ or ‘Technology Engineering’ roles, and submit your application through the official portal.