Data Engineer (Analytics & Data Platform)
About Us
Orion Labs is a small, fast-growing software development and DevOps consultancy based in Cape Town, South Africa. We work on modern cloud, analytics, platform engineering, and AI-related projects for local and international clients. We’re collaborative and hands-on with dynamic technologies. You’ll join a supportive team with real ownership, lots of room to learn, and clear opportunities to grow your career while doing meaningful work for great clients.
Job Description
We are seeking a strong mid-to-senior Data Engineer to lead the implementation of a modern analytics and reporting platform for a large multi-system business environment. This role is focused on designing and building scalable data pipelines, modelling business-critical data, and helping stakeholders turn fragmented operational systems into reliable reporting and analytics. You will work directly with client stakeholders across operations, support, QA, workforce management, and CRM teams to consolidate data from multiple platforms into a unified analytics environment built on Microsoft Fabric. The role requires strong ownership, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and the confidence to drive technical and architectural decisions independently across a project with many moving parts and data sources.
Responsibilities:
- Design and build scalable data pipelines and ingestion processes.
- Integrate data from multiple SaaS and operational platforms.
- Model and transform raw data into reliable, reporting-ready business datasets.
- Design and maintain Lakehouse and Warehouse structures in Microsoft Fabric.
- Build clean semantic models and reporting datasets that power Power BI dashboards.
- Work closely with stakeholders to define KPIs and reporting requirements.
- Identify and resolve data quality, consistency, and reconciliation issues.
- Drive technical and architectural decisions independently.
- Monitor and optimise pipeline performance and reliability.
- Contribute to best practices around data governance, modelling, and analytics architecture.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
- 5–7 years of hands-on experience in data engineering or analytics engineering roles (mid to senior level).
- Strong, production experience with Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Warehouse, Dataflows, Pipelines, semantic models).
- Strong proficiency in SQL, including performance tuning and dimensional modelling.
- Strong proficiency in Python for data transformation, automation, and integration work.
- Solid experience with data warehousing and Lakehouse architectures.
- Experience integrating data from REST APIs and SaaS platforms.
- Experience building and consuming semantic models for Power BI.
- Proficiency with Git and CI/CD workflows for data projects.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to work directly with business stakeholders, translate requirements, and present trade-offs clearly.
- Ability to operate independently, navigate ambiguity, and balance technical depth with practical delivery.
Nice to Have:
- Experience with Azure Data Factory, Synapse, or Databricks.
- Experience with data quality, observability, or reconciliation frameworks.
- Experience with operational SaaS platforms such as Zendesk, HubSpot, Zoho, Intercom, Aircall, or similar.
- Familiarity with modern analytics tooling beyond Fabric/Power BI (dbt, etc.).
- Interest in AI-enabled analytics and engineering workflows.
- Exposure to data governance and security best practices in regulated environments.
Technical Stack:
- Data Platform: Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Warehouse, Dataflows, Pipelines, Semantic Models)
- Cloud / Adjacent: Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks (nice to have)
- Languages: SQL, Python
- BI / Reporting: Power BI
- Modelling: Dimensional modelling, Lakehouse architectures, semantic models
- Integrations: REST APIs, SaaS connectors (Zendesk, HubSpot, Zoho, Intercom, Aircall, etc.)
- DevOps: Git, CI/CD workflows
- Tools: Git, GitHub, Slack, VS Code
Benefits
We offer competitive compensation, flexible hours, a learning and certification budget, and a supportive, low-ego team that values work–life balance and growth. Cape Town is preferred for this role, with remote or hybrid arrangements within South Africa considered for the right candidate. Full-time is preferred, with contract-to-permanent arrangements also considered.
Inclusive Hiring
We hire for skill, potential, and values. In South Africa’s diverse context, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and aim to provide a fair, inclusive process. If you have the skills and drive, we’d love to hear from you.