Founding Data Engineer

This isn't just another senior role. This is an invitation to join the founding team of a well-funded startup on the brink of global expansion.At Expanly, we're solving a multi-billion dollar problem: advertising platforms that waste millions of dollars because they ignore the business fundamentals that actually matter. We're building the control center that puts smart retailers back in the driver's seat.Fresh off a major funding round, we are looking for foundational engineers to architect the core of our platform as we launch across Europe and beyond. If you're driven by impact, ownership, and the chance to build a category-defining product from the ground up, we want to talk to you.The RoleAs our foundational Data Engineer, you'll own and build the engine that drives our product's core value. You'll transform raw data—from ad platforms, analytics tools, and client warehouses—into the fuel for our machine learning algorithms. This role is central to our mission and reports directly to the CTO. With our recent funding fueling a global launch, building these scalable data pipelines is critical to ensuring our core product can deliver value to an international client base. Your primary focus: architect and build robust, scalable data pipelines within Google BigQuery. You'll wrangle complex datasets, design elegant data models, and write highly performant queries that handle client product catalogs scaling into the millions. Your work isn't a back-office function—it is the product. The quality, speed, and reliability of your pipelines directly determine the quality of insights we deliver to clients.This is a unique opportunity to have a monumental impact on a product from its early stages. You'll solve challenging data problems, see your work immediately translate into customer value, and play an instrumental role in building a world-class data platform from the ground up.You will report directly to our co-founder and CTO, Samuel Backman. Samuel has been building software since 2012, progressing from developer to technology director at companies like Qvik and Mavericks Software. He provides the deep technical expertise key to building a scalable and robust product, and is focused on creating an engineering culture of ownership, excellence, and pragmatism.What We're Looking ForWe value deep technical expertise, a proactive mindset, and genuine passion for building robust, scalable systems from the ground up.Technical Excellence:Google BigQuery Authority: You're an expert in BigQuery, including advanced SQL query writing, performance tuning, cost optimization, and deep knowledge of partitioning, clustering, and data modeling best practices.Robust Data Pipeline Development (ETL/ELT): Proven experience designing, building, and maintaining scalable and reliable data pipelines to ingest data from diverse sources (APIs, databases, flat files). Experience with tools like Google Cloud Dataflow, Pub/Sub, or open-source alternatives is a major plus.Advanced SQL & Data Modeling: Writing complex, efficient SQL is non-negotiable. You translate business requirements into logical and physical data models optimized for analytical workloads.Programming for Data Processing: Proficiency in Python or Node.js for building data pipeline components and automation scripts.Familiarity with Data-Intensive Applications: Experience working on systems that process large volumes of data, with understanding of challenges related to data quality, scalability, and performance.Interest in Machine Learning Concepts: While you're not expected to be a data scientist, keen interest in or experience with supporting ML workflows (e.g., feature engineering, model productionization, data preparation for algorithms) is a significant advantage.Essential Qualities:Exceptional written and spoken communication skills (non-negotiable)Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to thrive in a fast-paced startup environmentStrong problem-solving skills and ability to work autonomously, taking ownership of your domainExperience working effectively with remote, distributed teamsGenuine passion for building products that solve real business problemsNice to Have:Previous experience in e-commerce, advertising technology (AdTech), or retail sectorsDirect experience in an early-stage startup environment, understanding the need for speed and adaptabilityWhat We OfferCompelling Compensation Package with Life-Changing Equity:Competitive Base Salary: €48,000 - €66,000 per year, based on your experience and impact. Your specific salary within this range will be determined by your level of experience and alignment with our internal compensation framework, ensuring fairness across the team.Foundational Team Equity: As a core member of our founding team, you won't just get options; you'll get a meaningful stake in the company. Our goal is to build a company with a valuation exceeding 100M€ in the next four years. For a foundational team member, an equity stake of this size could be worth well over 1,000,000€. This is your opportunity to own a piece of the engine you help build and share directly in our monumental success.Professional Growth & Impact:Front-row seat to the future of e-commerce technologyDirect collaboration with globally respected brands and household-name webshopsOpportunity to champion award-winning, proven technologyVisible impact on product direction and company strategyA World-Class Environment:Our Helsinki Innovation Hub: We operate on a strategic hybrid model designed for deep innovation and global reach. Our Product and Engineering teams are centered at our Helsinki headquarters to foster the high-bandwidth, in-person collaboration crucial for solving complex problems and driving our core product forward. This role is based in our Helsinki office. Culture of Ownership & Trust: Real autonomy without corporate red tape. We prioritize results over hours logged.Tools for Success: Your choice of a new MacBook or PC, a home office stipend, and a modern SaaS toolstack.Connection & Wellbeing: Comprehensive health coverage, regular virtual get-togethers, and annual all-expenses-paid company retreats to connect as a team.About ExpanlyFounded in Helsinki, Finland, by a team with deep experience from companies like Swappie, Verkkokauppa.com, and Foodora, Expanly is on a mission to fix a fundamental flaw in e-commerce. Retailers pour millions into platforms like Google and Meta, letting algorithms advertise without understanding margins, inventory, or strategy. We give that control back. Our platform connects real-time business data directly to ad campaigns, resulting in smarter, more profitable advertising.The market is responding. We are already trusted by major retailers like Tokmanni, Reima, and Varusteleka. Our technology was recently named "Innovation of the Year" at the 2025 eCom Summit & Awards.Now, with the backing of top investors from success stories like Wolt and Swappie, we have secured the funding to scale globally. You are joining at a pivotal moment: we have product-market fit, an award-winning solution, and the capital to build a world-class company.Expanly is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or disability status.