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Recru-it

Head AI and Data Engineer

Recru-it

  • R Undisclosed
  • Permanent Senior position
  • Cape Town
  • Posted 06 Nov 2025 by Recru-it
  • Expires in 24 days
  • Job 2626639 - Ref PE011410

About the position

Help Us Turn Big Data into Revenue Clarity.

We are seeking to employ a Senior Data Engineer as the Head of Data Platform & AI to take ownership of our full data infrastructure and elevate the architecture behind our proprietary DMP (Data Management Platform). You’ll work alongside a team of data engineers, analysts, and AI developers, and report directly to senior leadership.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on optimisation, standardisation, and real-time, revenue-driving execution. If you’re a self-starter who understands how to turn unstructured data into scalable pipelines and measurable outcomes, let’s talk.

What You’ll Do



  • Own our GCP-based Data Platform (BigQuery, Cloud Functions, Composer, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, etc.)
  • Architect, build, and manage robust ETL/ELT pipelines to ingest structured and unstructured data from dozens of sources
  • Implement best practices across data validation, deduplication, enrichment, and governance
  • Optimise the cost, speed, and performance of data storage, pipelines, and compute
  • Build tools and dashboards for internal reporting and marketing analytics teams
  • Create and enforce documentation, processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Lead root-cause analysis of pipeline failures and ensure data accuracy and uptime
  • Collaborate with AI, analytics, marketing, and ops teams to design data products that drive decision-making
  • Mentor data engineers and analysts; oversee technical delivery and team growth
  • Be available for after-hours escalations during mission-critical incidents






Requirements
Skills & Experience We’re Looking For:

? 5+ years of experience as a Data Engineer or Data Platform Lead
? Advanced proficiency in Google Cloud Platform, especially BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, and Composer
? Strong coding skills in Python (SQLAlchemy or similar ORM), SQL, and either Java or PHP
? Experience with data modelling, schema design, and performance tuning
? Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and tools like Gemini (bonus)
? Proven ability to manage complex data workflows, edge-case debugging, and data security
? Comfortable with cloud cost optimisation and scalable architecture design
? Strong communicator with high professional accountability
Bonus Points For:
Experience in lead generation, digital marketing, or performance media
Building or scaling a proprietary DMP/CDP from scratch
Familiarity with Salesforce, Meta Conversions API, or Google Analytics integrations
GCP Professional Data Engineer Certification




Company Description
Headquartered in London (UK), the company is a digital Intelligence firm that specialises in the development, management and utilisation of big data technology to drive measurable growth and revenue by using machine learning, complex automation, and big data to enable high-velocity data-driven sales optimisation and marketing solutions through:

Cross-organisational data insights’ availability
Facilitating the implementation of the data mesh paradigm
Sales optimisation
Measurable marketing
Machine learning / Big data intelligence
Help Us Turn Big Data into Revenue Clarity.

We are seeking to employ a Senior Data Engineer as the Head of Data Platform & AI to take ownership of our full data infrastructure and elevate the architecture behind our proprietary DMP (Data Management Platform). You’ll work alongside a team of data engineers, analysts, and AI developers, and report directly to senior leadership.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on optimisation, standardisation, and real-time, revenue-driving execution. If you’re a self-starter who understands how to turn unstructured data into scalable pipelines and measurable outcomes, let’s talk.

What You’ll Do



  • Own our GCP-based Data Platform (BigQuery, Cloud Functions, Composer, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, etc.)
  • Architect, build, and manage robust ETL/ELT pipelines to ingest structured and unstructured data from dozens of sources
  • Implement best practices across data validation, deduplication, enrichment, and governance
  • Optimise the cost, speed, and performance of data storage, pipelines, and compute
  • Build tools and dashboards for internal reporting and marketing analytics teams
  • Create and enforce documentation, processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Lead root-cause analysis of pipeline failures and ensure data accuracy and uptime
  • Collaborate with AI, analytics, marketing, and ops teams to design data products that drive decision-making
  • Mentor data engineers and analysts; oversee technical delivery and team growth
  • Be available for after-hours escalations during mission-critical incidents






Requirements
Skills & Experience We’re Looking For:

? 5+ years of experience as a Data Engineer or Data Platform Lead
? Advanced proficiency in Google Cloud Platform, especially BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, Cloud Storage, and Composer
? Strong coding skills in Python (SQLAlchemy or similar ORM), SQL, and either Java or PHP
? Experience with data modelling, schema design, and performance tuning
? Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and tools like Gemini (bonus)
? Proven ability to manage complex data workflows, edge-case debugging, and data security
? Comfortable with cloud cost optimisation and scalable architecture design
? Strong communicator with high professional accountability
Bonus Points For:
Experience in lead generation, digital marketing, or performance media
Building or scaling a proprietary DMP/CDP from scratch
Familiarity with Salesforce, Meta Conversions API, or Google Analytics integrations
GCP Professional Data Engineer Certification




Company Description
Headquartered in London (UK), the company is a digital Intelligence firm that specialises in the development, management and utilisation of big data technology to drive measurable growth and revenue by using machine learning, complex automation, and big data to enable high-velocity data-driven sales optimisation and marketing solutions through:

Cross-organisational data insights’ availability
Facilitating the implementation of the data mesh paradigm
Sales optimisation
Measurable marketing
Machine learning / Big data intelligence

Desired Skills:

  • Data Engineer or Data Platform Lead
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • BigQuery
  • Dataflow
  • Pub/Sub
  • Cloud Storage
  • and Composer
  • Python (SQLAlchemy or similar ORM)
  • SQL
  • and either Java or PHP

Recru-it

About the agency

Recruit IT Recruitment IT Recruitment and Talent Sourcing Specialists Offices in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth as well as Consultants working remotely across the country Telephone number 087 805 8536 www.recru-it.co.za >recru-it* COMPANY PROFILE Certified at a BEE Procurement Recognition Level of 110% >Introduction* >recru-it*was established in August 2005 & specializes in and focuses on the full spectrum of positions within the IT and other sectors. We focus our approach on delivering a superior service to both our client and candidate, in all portfolios and phases throughout the Recruitment process, supporting real transformation within the IT Industry and other sectors through ethical and transparent business practices >Value added services* • Advertising Client Roles • Screening Applications • CV searches • Head Hunting Candidates • CV Selection • Labour Broking • Pay structure advice for client & candidate >Additional services on request* • Personal Reference checks • Credit checks • Criminal checks • ID checks • Academic checks • Qualification checks >Placements portfolio* • Software Engineering & Development • I.T. Solution Sales and Strategic Sales • Sales & marketing • Finance and Insurance • HR • Engineering • Administration / Office Management • Healthcare • FMCG • Warehousing / Logistics • Telecommunications • Training and Development • Executive and senior level placements • ERP & CRM Consultants • Project Management & Administration • I.T Executive Management • Business Analysis • Business Intelligence • Consulting • Network Engineering • Support • Testing • Product Support Specialists   >Operational structure * >recru-it*uses a flat open structure in our approach  Each consultant takes personal ownership for each client request. The consultants are account managers with their respective clients ensuring professional and personal interaction at all times.  Our team supports each other in an interactive, transparent manner to deliver highest quality candidates on each specification, thus ensuring a fast and effective turnaround time to fulfill your every labour requirement. >recru-it*was established in August 2005. Carbon foot print  We practice a 90% paperless environment as most of our duties are internet and electronic. >BEE Profile*  >recru-it*is owned by 2 individuals with 8 additional staff members • 50 % of the business is owned by a black person. • 50% of the business is women owned.  >recru-it*has been officially & precisely rated according to our company structure. • We have been certified at a BEE Procurement Recognition Level of 110%. • Enterprise development – on site as well as external training courses for staff ensuring continuous skill improvement. • Corporate Social Investment – we do not have a formal CSI policy, but we do annual donations.

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