Data Engineer

Data Engineer / Analytics Specialist

Location: Portugal (remote-first, regular Lisbon meet-ups)
Salary: €40,000–€60,000 + local benefits
Start: January preferred

We’re working with a small, well-established technology business that builds a data-driven software platform used by organisations across Europe and beyond. The company operates at the intersection of complex data, investigative analysis and real-world decision-making, and is known for taking on problems others avoid.

They are now looking to hire a Data Engineer / Analytics Specialist to replace a key team member who is relocating for personal reasons.

This is a hands-on, high-impact role in a very lean environment — there is no spare capacity and no layers of management. The right person will very quickly become central to how the business operates.

The role The team works with very large, messy, real-world datasets (often several years’ worth at a time), which are ingested into a proprietary platform and replayed as if they were live. From this, the business builds a picture of activity, patterns and anomalies that clients can act on.

This hire has two clear priorities:

1. Data ingestion & pathways
   The biggest immediate need is improving how data is ingested, shaped, validated and moved through the system. Someone who can make this more efficient, robust and scalable will pay for themselves very quickly!
   
   
2. Bespoke analytics & client outputs
   Alongside this, you’ll support the wider team with bespoke analysis, reporting and visualisation, helping turn complex findings into something clients can actually understand and engage with.
   
   You’ll work closely with investigators, software engineers and domain specialists, often juggling multiple clients and projects at once. Every dataset is a puzzle — and presentation matters as much as the analysis itself.
   
   What they’re looking for This is not a pure research or ML role. It’s about applied analytics, judgement and communication.
   They’re open on seniority, but this would suit someone with 2+ years’ experience who wants real ownership and responsibility.
   
   Key skills / experience:
   
   Strong Python (Pandas, NumPy)
   Solid SQL
   Experience working with large, imperfect datasets
   Comfort moving between projects and priorities
   Ability to explain findings clearly to non-technical stakeholders
   A practical, delivery-focused mindsetNice to have:
   
   Data engineering or BI background (consulting / analytics / BI environments fit well)
   Experience with visualisation tools (e.g. Power BI or similar)
   English & Portuguese language skills
   Spanish a strong plus (clients in Spain & Mexico)How does the team work?
   Remote-first, but in-person meet-ups in Lisbon
   Heavy use of Slack and Teams — fast-moving, collaborative, sometimes noisy
   Very flexible hours, but high ownership and accountability
   People are trusted to get on with the job
   You’re encouraged to push ideas, improve things and shape how work is doneThere’s a 6-month learning curve, and the company invests heavily in onboarding — so commitment and buy-in matter. This is a place for people who want to build something and be part of the journey, not step through for a CV line.
   
   Why do people stay?
   
   The work has a strong ethical and social impact. The team is motivated by improving standards, calling out bad practice and helping clients make better decisions. For the right person, this is work you can feel genuinely good about.
   
   You will need the right to work in Portugal and will be...
   
   Employed via a Portuguese entity
   Receive standard Portuguese benefits (including meal allowance)
   Some travel possible
   Ideally starting January to handover with the outgoing engineerIf you've got to the bottom of this advert and you are excited, tick the above boxes and want to find out more, drop me an email/application and I will reach out to discuss the application process