Data Engineer
Functieomschrijving
As Data Engineer at imec.istart, you take the lead in building and optimizing the data backbone that powers our accelerator operations across multiple countries and hundreds of startups. Your primary focus will be developing robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, automating integrations, and enabling data-driven workflows for our international teams. This role is critical to scaling the internal systems that support Europe’s top accelerator.
About imec.istart
We are committed to fostering entrepreneurial innovation and technological progress.
Our mission is to support and accelerate tech entrepreneurs as they embark on their journey. We offer a world-renowned coaching program, backed by imec, and provide initial investments to facilitate growth and attract additional funding.
imec.istart was launched in 2011 in Belgium as one of Europe’s first startup accelerators. Over a decade later, we have grown into a globally recognized program and early-stage investor, boasting a portfolio of over 350 startups and scaleups, along with an extensive network of partners and mentors. The focus of imec.istart is on tech and science-enabled solutions in a variety of industries.
The headquarters of imec are located in Leuven. The imec.istart team is mainly based in Antwerp and Ghent (Belgium), and we also have teams and programs in other locations in different European countries (including Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and soon Spain and Germany).
Read more about imec.istart here.
What you will do
- Design, develop, test and scale data pipelines that support our operational tools and dashboards. You’ll be integrating datasets across tools and platforms, ensuring smooth and reliable data flows.
- Lead the automation of data processes and integrations across our international organisation, while building internal data services that empower team members and reduce manual work.
- Recommend and implement solutions to improve data reliability, efficiency, and quality, while contributing to quality assurance by maintaining data-oriented coding standards and documentation.
- Shape our internal data architecture and data infrastructure roadmap, balancing quick wins with long-term improvements. You’ll provide technical input on trade-offs, risks and architectural decisions.
- Work closely with imec.istart colleagues and founders to understand how data flows through our accelerator, including our internal cohort management tool (built in TypeScript, maintained by external developers). You’ll combine hands-on data engineering with light technical product ownership by collaborating closely with relevant stakeholders and translate their needs into data products, integrations, and features that make their journey more impactful.
- Stay up to date about emerging data engineering trends, frameworks, and best practices, and proactively recommend improvements to enhance development processes. In particular, you’re able to leverage the latest developments in AI to help supercharge our internal productivity.
Profiel
Who you are
- You have a Bachelor/Master/Engineering degree in (applied) computer science, data science or equivalent experience.
- You are looking for a payroll position (not a freelance contract).
- You enjoy digging into data, spotting patterns, and structuring it in a way that makes it reliable, actionable, and valuable for decision-making.
- You have strong experience with data engineering tools like ETL/ELT pipelines, SQL, Python and data orchestration frameworks.
- You speak the language of databases, API integrations and workflow automation.
- You thrive on building internal tools and see the impact of making teams more productive and effective.
- Familiarity with modern web stacks (primarily TypeScript/JavaScript with React, Next.js, and Node.js) is definitely a plus.
- Your communication skills are appreciated by both technical and non-technical colleagues, including start-up founders.
- You are fluent in English and speaking Dutch is a plus.
- You’re genuinely interested in tech, startups, and innovation, and maybe already part of that world.
- You are the embodiment of the entrepreneurial mindset, including innovation and flexibility in everything you do.
- You thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment and are a true team player.
- You combine a hands-on approach with a strategic overview, achieving goals efficiently.
- You are looking for a dynamic and varied role in a stimulating environment.
Aanbod
What we do for you
We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at our Ghent or Antwerp site. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth.
We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits.