ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsData Engineer Contract JobsData Engineer Contract Jobs in Columbia, SC

Data Engineer Contract information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$41.2K

$120K

$164.2K

How much do data engineer contract jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer contract 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 are the typical daily responsibilities of a data engineer contract?

As a Data Engineer contractor, your day-to-day tasks often include designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines, implementing ETL processes, and preparing datasets for analytics or machine learning teams. You may be asked to collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and other engineers to understand data requirements and resolve technical issues. Contractors also frequently assess data quality, optimize performance, and document their work for seamless team integration. The role is fast-paced and may require you to quickly adapt to new projects or technologies, making it ideal for those who enjoy dynamic, project-based environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the data engineer contract position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Data Engineer Contract, you need expertise in data modeling, ETL processes, and proficiency with programming languages such as Python or SQL, often supported by a degree in computer science or related field. Familiarity with big data platforms like Hadoop or Spark, experience with cloud services (AWS, GCP, or Azure), and certifications in relevant technologies are highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and the ability to work independently are crucial soft skills. These abilities ensure data engineers can efficiently design scalable pipelines, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate across teams to support data-driven decision-making.

What is a data engineer contract?

A Data Engineer Contract job is a temporary or project-based role where a data engineer is hired for a specific duration to design, build, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure. Contract data engineers often work with big data technologies, ETL processes, and cloud platforms to ensure data is efficiently processed and accessible. These roles can be short-term (a few months) or long-term (a year or more), depending on the project's needs. Contractors may work independently or as part of a larger data team, and they are typically paid hourly or per project rather than receiving a fixed salary and benefits like full-time employees.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Data Engineer Contract jobs near you
Infographic showing various Data Engineer Contract job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, and 22% Contract. Highlights an 74% In-person, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,005 per year, or $57.7 per hour.

Manufacturing Data & SPC Engineer

VAC Magnetics LLC

Sumter, SC • On-site

$65K - $83K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 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.