Entry Level Data Jobs in Gainesville, FL (NOW HIRING)

Data Engineer I
Job no: 540908
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering
Department:14400000 - IT-DATA PLATFORM & ANALYTICS
Classification Title:
App Dev Analyst I Data Engineer
Classification Minimum Requirements:
Associate's degree; or a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
Job Description:
UF Information Technology (UFIT) is currently seeking an entry-level Data Engineer I to join Data Platform and Analytics - Data Engineering, a unit within UFIT.
UF Information Technology (UFIT) enables teaching, learning, research, and service on campus and across the region with state-of-the-art enterprise IT systems, including SEC and SUS universities, and the opportunity to teach using HiPerGator.
As a key contributor to the Data Engineering team within Data Platform and Analytics, you will actively engage in diverse projects, undertaking responsibilities such as implementing data pipelines, optimizing data structures, integrating datasets, developing scalable compute workloads, and improve metadata management. This entry-level role, under direct supervision, entails close collaboration with customers, business analysts, and team members. Your primary focus is to understand business requirements, steering the analysis and design phases to deliver high-quality technical solutions. With a robust understanding of IT systems and capabilities, you will actively participate in and demonstrate proficiency in IT systems, development lifecycles, quality assurance/testing, and integration methodologies.
Some key responsibilities and characteristics of this position are:

• Design, develop, and maintain data solutions supporting data accuracy, replication, transformation, metadata management, and data repository creation within the UF OneLake, which provides data repositories for information systems managed by UFIT.
• Troubleshoot and performance tune existing data pipelines. Make recommendations toward the development of new code or reuse/enhancement of existing code. Review processes that audit data synchronization for data corrections.
• Support enterprise metadata management and the development of semantic models and ontologies that define relationships, concepts, and business meaning across data domains to enable AI, machine learning, knowledge graph, and natural-language data applications.
• Assist in the development, maintenance, and support of the UF OneLake and corresponding data models, including near-real-time and batch data pipelines, dimensional and star schema design, and operational reporting data models. Debug and modify program code, manage project deadlines, and ensure established quality control and data management practices are followed.

About UF Information Technology
Led by Senior Vice President and CIO Elias Eldayrie, the nine departments comprising UFIT are: Academic Technology; AI² Center; Applications, Development, and Integrations; Business Center; Customer Experience and Resource Planning; Data Platform and Analytics; Information Security Office; Infrastructure and Communication Technology; and Research Computing. UF Information Technology (UFIT) enables teaching, learning, research, and service on campus and across the region with state-of-the-art enterprise IT systems, including SEC and SUS universities, and the opportunity to teach using HiPerGator. For more information about UFIT and its goals and governance, visit https://it.ufl.edu/about-ufit/strategic-plan/.
About the University of Florida
One of America's all-around best universities, the University of Florida drives future-making education, eye-opening discoveries, life-saving health care, and community-building collaboration for our state, our nation, and our world. UF is in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida, 50 miles from Florida's West Coast, 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, and within a 2-hour drive to large metropolitan areas (Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville). The beautiful climate and extensive nearby parks and recreational areas afford year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and nature photography. UF's large college sports programs, museums, and performing arts center support various activities and cultural events for residents to enjoy. Learn more about what Gainesville has to offer at Visit Gainesville.
Exceptional Benefits
UF provides various leave programs based on an employee's salary plan, including vacation, sick leave, holidays, personal leave days, and paid family leave. In addition to paid time off, the University of Florida offers a very competitive benefits package.
Expected Salary:
$65,000-$78,000; commensurate based on education and experience.
Required Qualifications:
Associate's degree; or a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of relevant experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
Preferred:
The ideal candidate will possess the following education, experience, and skills:

• Knowledge of basic approaches, tools, and techniques for identifying and resolving organizational, operational, and data-related problems; ability to apply established procedures and seek guidance when appropriate.
• Ability to learn and apply new technologies, methodologies, and concepts in a changing data and technology environment.
• Understanding of basic data pipeline methodologies, including data ingestion, transformation, integration, and orchestration.
• Understanding of basic database concepts, functionality, SQL, and data modeling principles.
• Understanding of object-based storage concepts and technologies.
• Understanding of basic metadata management and data semantics concepts, including the importance of consistent data definitions and relationships across enterprise data.
• Understanding of basic data governance, data quality, and data management principles.
• Ability to work with technical and business stakeholders to understand data requirements and assist with the implementation of data and semantic solutions.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position
This is not a remote work position and is located in Gainesville, FL.
A Level 2 Criminal Background Screening is required.
Applicants are required to submit the following with their application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of professional references with contact information (Minimum of 3 with one from a previous or current supervisor)

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 11 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 25 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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