Cloud & Data Engineer

Would you like to help researchers bring data, cloud, and AI innovations into practice in a responsible way?

Tasks

This is what you can expect as a Cloud & Data Engineer

With your expertise in cloud and data, you'll help our researchers (and, indirectly, users such as government agencies and water boards) with data-driven applications for their research projects. You'll provide guidance on architecture, data governance, and responsible AI use.

You'll work in an environment with a hybrid cloud landscape (on-premises, public cloud, and specialized environments), complex research data and compute workloads, and teams that want to develop experiments (including those involving AI) into reusable and managed solutions.

In this role, you'll combine your consulting skills with hands-on work: you'll assist teams with design decisions, help build prototypes, and work with stakeholders to take the necessary steps toward a successful project outcome.

Responsibilities

• Cloud and data architecture: advise on architectures for data- and compute-intensive applications (compute, storage, networking, containerization) in a hybrid/multi-cloud environment.
• Data engineering: supporting the design and implementation of data pipelines and API integrations, including Python-based processing (e.g., pandas, xarray, geopandas).
• From experiment to production: helping to build prototypes/PoCs and, developing them into reusable, managed solutions (CI/CD, containerization, operationalization).
• Data governance: assisting with the setup of metadata, data classification, access, data quality, and the application of FAIR principles in work processes.
• AI governance (MLOps-light): Ensuring prerequisites for AI/ML applications, such as traceability and reproducibility (dataset and model versions), logging/monitoring, and responsible use (privacy, security, compliance).

You don't need to have experience in all areas; we also value the ability to learn.

Collaboration

In your role, collaboration and communication are crucial. You'll conduct initial consultations with researchers who are just starting their projects and translate their research questions into feasible cloud, data, and AI solutions. In doing so, you'll serve as a sounding board who bridges the gap between technology, governance, and practical application.

Together, you'll work toward our mission of using knowledge and technology to create a livable and climate-resilient delta.

You thrive in a collaborative work environment and feel comfortable in an advisory and hands-on role. Additionally, the following is required:

• HBO+/WO level of education and thinking, and at least 3-5 years of work experience in data engineering, preferably in a scientific context.
• Strong Python skills (including pandas, xarray, geopandas).
• Experience with cloud platforms (hybrid/multi-cloud).
• Knowledge of data governance, metadata, FAIR principles, and data quality.
• Affinity with AI/ML applications and the associated requirements (data quality, reproducibility, model lifecycle, monitoring).

The following qualities are a plus.

• Experience with application deployment, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and CI/CD.
• Domain knowledge of environmental monitoring or Earth observation.

What we offer:

You'll work on societal challenges with a direct impact and help research teams make cloud, data, and AI applications responsible and reusable-from initial experiments to controlled production. You'll join a multidisciplinary team with the room to pioneer, set standards, and share best practices across the organization.

• Excellent training opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• 34 vacation days based on a 40-hour workweek, ABP pension, wellness budget, mobility budget, and reimbursement for healthcare costs.
• Deltares offers a 12-month contract with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract. Our starting salary for a mid-level professional in scale 16 is €4,395 gross per month based on a 40-hour workweek. The maximum in this scale is €7,089. Salary placement is based on your experience.
• Flexible work environment with a focus on work-life balance. This position is available for 32 to 40 hours per week and can be performed in a hybrid or office setting.

There is much more to discover, as described in detail on our career website.

Would you like to learn more about applying your software skills at Deltares? Then visit our website.

Deltares is an independent knowledge institute for applied research in the field of water and subsurface. Worldwide, we work on smart innovations, solutions and applications for people, the environment and society. As a mission driven organisation, Deltares is successful when its knowledge is applied in and for society. We focus mainly on deltas, coastal regions and river basins. Because the governance of these densely populated and vulnerable areas is complex, we work closely with (local)governments, companies, knowledge institutions and universities in the Netherlands and abroad. Deltares employs 900 employees with 62 different nationalities. We recognize that our greatest impact on people, the environment, and society is achieved through collaboration within multidisciplinary, diverse, and inclusive teams. Working at Deltares means: * Making a difference * Innovate & Share * Developing your talent * Joining a dynamic and inclusive culture