Data Engineer

Monday-Thursday, four 10-hour shifts with at least two days per week onsite (PT).

Contract.

Hire Art is helping Toyota Research Institute find a Data Engineer to design and build the data systems that power advanced analytics, forecasting, and AI-driven research initiatives across CNS.

In this role, you’ll help define how data flows across the organization, transforming fragmented data sources into reliable, scalable datasets that support predictive modeling, scenario analysis, and LLM-enabled workflows. You’ll partner closely with ML researchers, technical leads, research scientists, and Toyota stakeholders to develop robust data systems that support evolving research and operational needs.

The ideal candidate combines strong data engineering fundamentals with the flexibility to support rapid experimentation and iterative development within a fast-evolving AI and sustainability-focused research environment.

As a Data Engineer, you will:

• Design, implement, and maintain scalable data pipelines for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data sources.
• Develop data models and datasets that support predictive modeling, scenario analysis, and LLM-based workflows.
• Improve data tooling, automation, and infrastructure to enable rapid prototyping and research iteration.
• Integrate third-party APIs, external datasets, and domain-specific global data sources.
• Establish and maintain standards for data quality, governance, lineage, reproducibility, and accessibility.
• Support exploratory data analysis activities to validate assumptions, identify data gaps, and improve model inputs.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support secure data access, governance, and data-sharing processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with ML researchers, engineers, and research scientists to translate research needs into scalable data solutions.

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, data science, or a related quantitative discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in data engineering or software engineering with a strong focus on data systems and infrastructure.
• Experience designing and implementing pipelines across heterogeneous and large-scale data sources.
• Strong proficiency in Python, SQL, Unix tooling, and Git-based development workflows.
• Experience working with structured and unstructured datasets.
• Experience with cloud platforms and modern data infrastructure tools, preferably AWS and Databricks.
• Experience integrating third-party APIs and external data sources.
• Background in analytics, experimentation, statistical analysis, or data-driven research environments.
• Familiarity with ETL frameworks, data warehousing concepts, and enterprise-scale data systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to support rapid experimentation, iterative prototyping, and evolving research workflows.

• Experience working with automotive, manufacturing, mobility, energy systems, or sustainability-related datasets.
• Experience supporting AI/ML model development, including LLM, generative AI, or agentic AI workflows.
• Experience building scalable analytics or forecasting platforms.
• Familiarity with data governance and reproducibility practices within research-focused environments.
• PTO and paid holidays!
• Flexible Spending Account for healthcare-related costs.
• Hire Art covers all costs for short- and long-term disability and life insurance.
• 401k package.

This is a full-time, ongoing contract position staffed via Hire Art. The position requires at least two days per week onsite, working four 10-hour shifts Monday-Thursday, and is available to candidates local to the Los Altos, CA area.

Hire Art values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas or employ corp-to-corp.