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Contract Data Engineering Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Manufacturing Data & SPC Engineer

Sumter, SC ยท On-site

$65K - $83K/yr

Engineering Manager LOCATION: Sumter, SC JOB SUMMARY : The SPC / Data Engineer will play a critical ... It is NOT a contract of employment. Employment at VAC is voluntarily entered into and is subject to ...

Data Scientist

Sumter, SC ยท On-site

$99 - $225/hr

... programming languages for data analysis 5+ years of experience analyzing structured and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Data Scientist

Sumter, SC ยท On-site

$99 - $225/hr

... programming languages for data analysis * 5+ years of experience analyzing structured and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

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Contract Data Engineering information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$41.2K

$120K

$164.2K

How much do contract data engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract data engineering in Columbia, SC is $120,005.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,900.00 and $127,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is contract data engineering?

Contract data engineering refers to hiring data engineers on a temporary or project basis, rather than as full-time employees. Contract data engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines, databases, and other infrastructure to support data analytics and business needs. Companies often hire contract data engineers to handle specific projects, scale up teams quickly, or bring in specialized skills for a limited time. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the company and the engineer, and is common in industries with fluctuating data workloads or short-term projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract data engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Data Engineer, you need strong proficiency in data modeling, ETL processes, and programming languages such as Python or SQL, often supported by a degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with big data platforms (e.g., Hadoop, Spark), cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP), and relevant certifications like Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies enable efficient project delivery, seamless collaboration with stakeholders, and the ability to quickly adapt to new technical environments and client requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by contract data engineers and how can they be addressed?

Contract data engineers often face the challenge of quickly familiarizing themselves with a company's existing data infrastructure and processes. Since contracts are typically short-term, there is limited time to onboard, understand unique data pipelines, and build relationships with stakeholders. To address this, successful contract data engineers proactively communicate with team members, document their work thoroughly, and leverage their prior experience with a variety of tools and platforms. Flexibility and strong problem-solving skills are essential for adapting to new environments and delivering results efficiently.

What is the difference between Contract Data Engineering vs Data Analyst?

AspectContract Data EngineeringData Analyst
Required SkillsSQL, Python, ETL, cloud platforms, data pipeline developmentSQL, Excel, data visualization, reporting tools
Work EnvironmentProject-based, technical teams, cloud or on-premises infrastructureBusiness units, reporting teams, often in office or remote
Industry UsageTech, finance, healthcare, retailMarketing, finance, healthcare, retail

Contract Data Engineers focus on building and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure, requiring technical skills in programming and cloud platforms. Data Analysts interpret data, create reports, and visualize insights, often using different tools. While both roles work with data, Contract Data Engineering is more technical and infrastructure-oriented, whereas Data Analysts focus on data interpretation and business insights.

What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC?

The most popular types of Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC?

For Contract Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Data Engineering jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Contract Data Engineering jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Contract Data Engineering job openings:

Manufacturing Data & SPC Engineer

VAC Magnetics LLC

Sumter, SC โ€ข On-site

$65K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Job Description




JOB TITLE: Manufacturing Data & SPC Engineer



DATE PREPARED: 05/2026 DATE LAST REVISED:

EXEMPT (Y/N): Yes

DEPARTMENT: e-VAC Magnetics LLC – Engineering

REPORTS TO: Engineering Manager

LOCATION: Sumter, SC



JOB SUMMARY: The SPC / Data Engineer will play a critical role in establishing data-driven manufacturing processes for the permanent magnet production facility in Sumter, South Carolina. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining statistical process control (SPC) systems, manufacturing KPIs, data collection strategies, and production analytics. The role will work closely with Process Engineering, Operations, Quality, Automation Engineering, and IT to transform production data into actionable insights that improve process capability, yield, throughput, and overall manufacturing performance. The SPC / Data Engineer serves as a key enabler for structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.



KEY RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following.



Statistical Process Control (SPC)

  • Develop and maintain SPC systems across manufacturing processes
  • Support definition of critical process parameters and monitoring strategies
  • Identify trends, variation, and process drift before product quality is affected
  • Support implementation of control plans and reaction plans


Manufacturing Data & Analytics

  • Develop manufacturing KPI dashboards and reporting tools
  • Analyze production, quality, equipment, and process data
  • Support data-driven decision making throughout manufacturing operations
  • Establish standardized data collection and reporting practices


Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement

  • Support root cause investigations using statistical methods and data analysis
  • Partner with Process Engineers to identify performance drivers and process limitations
  • Develop analytical tools to support continuous improvement activities
  • Quantify the effectiveness of corrective and preventive actions
  • Participate in DMAIC, 8D, and structured problem-solving initiatives


Systems & Data Integration

  • Support integration of manufacturing equipment, automation systems, MES, and quality systems
  • Collaborate with Automation Engineering and IT to improve data availability and accuracy
  • Develop automated reports and performance dashboards
  • Ensure data integrity and consistency across manufacturing systems


Reporting & Performance Management

  • Maintain weekly and monthly manufacturing KPI reporting
  • Prepare management reports and performance summaries
  • Develop trend analyses and performance forecasts
  • Support engineering and operations reviews with fact-based data insights


Documentation & Standards

  • Develop standards for data collection, KPI definitions, and reporting methodologies
  • Maintain documentation related to SPC systems and analytical tools
  • Support audit readiness through accurate process and performance records



EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • Recognized as degreed or holding an accredited certification in a relevant technical or engineering discipline
  • Minimum 3–7 years of experience in manufacturing analytics, SPC, process engineering, or industrial data analysis
  • Experience working within high-volume manufacturing environments
  • Experience implementing SPC methodologies and process capability studies


Preferred

  • Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Data Analytics, Statistics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
  • Automotive manufacturing experience
  • Experience with MES systems and manufacturing databases
  • Experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar reporting tools
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Travel Requirements: 10% (as needed, domestic or international travel)



LANGUAGE SKILLS:

English, German beneficial


SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES

No formal direct reports


EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

This job description is intended as an outline of the duties of the position at VACUUMSCHMELZE and is subject to change by VAC from time to time. It is NOT a contract of employment. Employment at VAC is voluntarily entered into and is subject to termination by you or VAC AT WILL, with or without cause at any time, either party believes such action to be appropriate.