Junior Data Engineer

Full-Time · Hybrid · based in US or EuropeABOUT PROXY FOODSProxy Foods is an advanced AI-powered product development and recipe formulation platform trusted by leading R&D teams to create, reformulate, and optimize food & beverage products at scale and in record time.We help food and beverage companies move from idea to viable formulation faster by unifying fragmented R&D data: ingredients, specs, cost, nutrition, processing constraints, and compliance. As a result, teams launch new products with fewer failed trials, reformulate faster based on consumer feedback and margin pressure, and stay ahead on trends and regulatory requirements.THE ROLEWe are looking for a curious, motivated, and detail-oriented Junior Data Engineer to join our team.This role is ideal for someone with strong foundational SQL and Python skills who wants to grow quickly by working on real-world data challenges in a startup environment. You will support the development of data pipelines, integrations, and data models that power both internal analytics and product features, while learning from a cross-functional team of engineers, product builders, and domain experts.We are especially interested in someone who is eager to keep learning and stay current with modern data tooling and AI/LLM-enabled workflows, while building strong data engineering fundamentals.In this role, you will:Support the development and maintenance of ETL/ELT pipelines across APIs, databases, files, and external data sourcesClean, normalize, validate, and structure datasets related to ingredients, specifications, nutrition, costs, and complianceWrite SQL and Python code to transform data and improve data qualityHelp maintain data models and storage layers used for analytics, reporting, and product featuresWork closely with product, engineering, and food science teams to understand data needs and business contextMonitor pipeline performance, investigate issues, and help improve reliability and observabilityLearn and apply AI/LLM-assisted workflows where appropriate for data extraction, normalization, enrichment, and structuring tasks under clear guidance and validation practicesDocument data flows, transformations, and operational processes clearly and consistentlyWHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR1–3 years of experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, software engineering, or a related data-focused roleGood foundation in SQL and PythonFamiliarity with data transformation, ETL/ELT concepts, and structured datasetsExposure to relational databases, APIs, JSON/CSV files, and basic data modeling conceptsStrong attention to detail and a mindset for data quality and correctnessEagerness to learn new tools, technologies, and ways of working in a fast-moving startup environmentCuriosity about where the data industry is heading, including modern cloud platforms and AI/LLM-enabled workflowsStrong communication skills and willingness to collaborate across technical and non-technical teamsNice to have:Exposure to cloud data platforms such as AzureFamiliarity with Git and basic software development workflowsExperience with pandas, SQLAlchemy, or similar Python tools for data workBasic understanding of BI/reporting tools or dashboardingInterest in AI, LLMs, or data products beyond traditional reportingWHY JOIN PROXYWork on real product and data problems at the intersection of AI and the food industryLearn fast in a startup environment with meaningful ownership from day oneBuild strong data engineering fundamentals while gaining exposure to modern AI-enabled workflowsCollaborate with a small, ambitious, cross-functional teamGrow your role as the company and platform scale