Staff Data Engineer, Energy
Introduction
If you’re passionate about clean energy, data infrastructure, and making a tangible impact on global sustainability, the Staff Data Engineer, Energy position at GoodLeap offers a unique opportunity to drive innovation at the intersection of technology and environmental progress. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, this role combines advanced data engineering with mission-driven work to expand access to life-saving water and clean electrical energy across Africa.
This comprehensive guide explores the responsibilities, qualifications, compensation, and broader implications of the Staff Data Engineer, Energy role. Whether you’re a seasoned data engineer considering your next career move or a tech professional interested in clean energy innovation, this article provides actionable insights into one of the most impactful roles in sustainable technology today.
Analysis
Role Overview and Mission Impact
The Staff Data Engineer, Energy position at GoodLeap is more than a technical job—it’s a chance to contribute to large-scale humanitarian and environmental initiatives. GoodLeap focuses on deploying clean energy and water infrastructure programs that have already transformed the lives of over 1.6 million people across Africa. These programs provide essential services such as solar power, clean water access, and reliable electrical grids to underserved communities.
Data engineering plays a critical role in scaling these initiatives. From optimizing energy distribution networks to monitoring water system performance, data infrastructure enables real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance, and efficient resource allocation across diverse geographic regions.
Core Responsibilities
As a Staff Data Engineer, Energy, your primary responsibilities will include:
- Designing and building scalable data pipelines for energy and water project monitoring
- Developing data models to track energy consumption, system efficiency, and environmental impact
- Integrating IoT sensor data from remote energy and water installations
- Creating real-time dashboards for operational teams and stakeholders
- Ensuring data accuracy and reliability across distributed systems
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams including sustainability experts, field operators, and software developers
The role demands both technical excellence and a deep understanding of energy systems, making it ideal for engineers who want their work to have measurable social and environmental outcomes.
Technical Requirements and Skills
Candidates for this position should possess:
- Expertise in cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or Azure
- Proficiency in data engineering tools like Apache Kafka, Spark, Airflow, and dbt
- Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and potentially Scala or Java
- Experience with time-series databases and IoT data streams
- Familiarity with energy systems, smart grids, or utility-scale infrastructure (preferred)
- Background in ETL/ELT processes, data warehousing, and data lake architectures
Advanced knowledge of data governance, security protocols, and compliance standards is also valuable, especially when handling sensitive infrastructure and community data.
Summary
The Staff Data Engineer, Energy role at GoodLeap represents a convergence of cutting-edge technology and global sustainability. With a competitive salary range of $160,000 to $210,000 per year, the position offers both financial rewards and the satisfaction of contributing to life-changing infrastructure projects. Located in San Francisco or San Mateo, California, this full-time role supports mission-critical systems that deliver clean energy and water access to millions.
Unlike traditional data engineering roles focused solely on commercial outcomes, this position emphasizes social impact, environmental stewardship, and scalable humanitarian solutions. It’s designed for engineers who want to apply their technical skills to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Key Points
- Employer: GoodLeap
- Position: Staff Data Engineer, Energy
- Location: San Francisco, CA or San Mateo, CA
- Salary Range: $160,000 – $210,000 annually
- Mission: Deploy clean energy and water programs across Africa
- Impact: Served over 1.6 million people with life-saving infrastructure
- Start Date: Open (posted August 16, 2025)
- Application Status: Currently accepting applications
Practical Advice
Tailor Your Application
To stand out as a candidate, emphasize both your technical expertise and your commitment to sustainability. Highlight projects where you’ve built data systems that improved efficiency, reduced waste, or supported environmental goals. If you have experience in energy, utilities, or infrastructure sectors, make sure to detail those accomplishments.
Showcase Relevant Tools and Platforms
Customize your resume to include specific technologies mentioned in similar roles: cloud data platforms (Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift), orchestration tools (Airflow, Prefect), and streaming technologies (Kafka, Kinesis). Quantify your impact—e.g., “Built real-time data pipeline processing 2M sensor events daily” or “Reduced data processing latency by 40% for energy monitoring systems.”
Demonstrate Mission Alignment
GoodLeap values mission-driven engineers. In your cover letter or interview, articulate why clean energy and global equity matter to you. Reference any volunteer work, side projects, or previous roles that reflect a commitment to social impact or environmental sustainability.
Prepare for Technical and Cultural Fit
Expect interviews to assess both your data architecture skills and your alignment with GoodLeap’s values. Be ready to discuss how you’ve handled data quality challenges, scaled pipelines under load, or worked in cross-functional teams. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in accessible terms, especially as they relate to real-world outcomes.
Points of Caution
- Verify Details: The original posting contains fragmented or incomplete information. Always confirm salary ranges, job responsibilities, and reporting structure directly with GoodLeap HR or hiring managers.
- Location Flexibility: While listed as San Francisco or San Mateo, clarify whether remote work or hybrid arrangements are available.
- Company Research: Investigate GoodLeap’s financial health, project track record, and employee reviews before accepting an offer.
- Job Scope: Ensure the role focuses on data engineering rather than general software development or IT support.
- Equity and Benefits: In addition to base salary, inquire about stock options, health benefits, retirement plans, and professional development support.
Comparison
Staff Data Engineer, Energy vs. Traditional Data Engineering Roles
| Aspect | Staff Data Engineer, Energy (GoodLeap) | Corporate Data Engineer (Tech Company) |
|---|---|---|
| Mission Focus | Social impact, clean energy access, humanitarian development | Revenue growth, user engagement, product optimization |
| Data Types | IoT sensors, energy meters, water systems, field operations | User behavior, transactions, marketing analytics |
| Geographic Scope | Global (Africa-focused), remote infrastructure | Primarily domestic or digital-first markets |
| Salary Range | $160,000 – $210,000 | $130,000 – $190,000 (varies by company) |
| Impact Measurement | People served, CO2 reduced, systems deployed | KPIs, conversion rates, cost savings |
This comparison shows that while both roles require similar technical skills, the Staff Data Engineer, Energy position offers a distinct opportunity to work on globally impactful infrastructure with measurable humanitarian outcomes.
Legal Implications
When applying for or accepting the Staff Data Engineer, Energy role, consider the following legal and employment factors:
- Work Authorization: Confirm whether GoodLeap sponsors visas for international candidates.
- Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs): You may be required to sign confidentiality agreements, especially when handling sensitive infrastructure data.
- Intellectual Property (IP): Review any IP assignment clauses in employment contracts related to data models or system designs you create.
- Labor Laws: California employment laws govern this position, including protections for overtime, breaks, and anti-discrimination.
- Data Privacy Compliance: Depending on data types, you may need to comply with privacy regulations when handling community or operational data.
Always review employment contracts with legal counsel if needed, especially for senior-level roles with complex responsibilities.
Conclusion
The Staff Data Engineer, Energy position at GoodLeap is a rare opportunity to merge high-level technical expertise with global humanitarian impact. With a competitive salary, mission-driven work, and the chance to build systems that serve over 1.6 million people, this role appeals to engineers who want their careers to matter beyond code and dashboards.
By designing data infrastructure for clean energy and water programs in Africa, you’ll play a key role in advancing sustainable development, reducing energy poverty, and combating climate change. If you’re ready to apply your data engineering skills to one of the world’s most urgent challenges, this position offers both purpose and professional growth.
Applications are currently open, and candidates are encouraged to apply directly through GoodLeap’s official career portal to ensure authenticity and timely processing.
FAQ
What does a Staff Data Engineer, Energy do?
A Staff Data Engineer, Energy designs and maintains data systems that support clean energy and water infrastructure projects. This includes building pipelines for sensor data, creating monitoring dashboards, and ensuring reliable data flow from remote installations.
What is the salary for this role?
The expected salary range is $160,000 to $210,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, and interview performance.
Where is this job located?
The position is based in San Francisco, CA, or San Mateo, CA. Remote or hybrid work options should be confirmed during the application process.
What experience is required?
Employers typically seek candidates with 5+ years of data engineering experience, proficiency in cloud platforms and data tools, and ideally some background in energy, utilities, or infrastructure projects.
How many people have been impacted by GoodLeap’s programs?
GoodLeap’s clean energy and water programs have transformed the lives of more than 1.6 million people across Africa.
Can international candidates apply?
While the job is based in California, international candidates may apply if they have valid work authorization. Visa sponsorship policies should be confirmed with the hiring team.
What makes this role different from other data engineering jobs?
This role focuses on humanitarian and environmental impact rather than commercial metrics. Engineers work directly on systems that deliver essential services like clean energy and water to underserved communities.
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