Entry Level Graduate Data Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Opportunity: Data Engineer – Context Engineering at Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company

Company Overview: Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance is a leading provider of life insurance and financial services. We are committed to serving our policyholders and communities with integrity and excellence. As a Data Engineer, you’ll be an essential part of our team, contributing to the success of our organization.

Location: Jackson, MS

Role and Responsibilities: Data Engineering is a key part of SFBLIC’s overall data modernization effort. The Data Engineering team is responsible for the design, development, and day-to-day reliability of SFBLIC’s enterprise data products. This role helps transform raw data from source systems into trusted, reusable, governed data products that align with specific analytics, operational reporting, and AI use cases.

The Data Engineer helps build and maintain repeatable ETL/ELT processes, supports governed access to data through virtualization, and uses meta-data driven processes to ensure compliance with enterprise data models, standards, and governance expectations.

For the AI/ML use cases, this role works with AI management to develop and monitor processes for context delivery, retrieval patterns, and embedding performance. That includes helping define, retrieve, and assemble relevant data models, business rules, policies, and reference data into context windows for AI/ML workflows.

The Data Engineer works closely with senior data engineers, analytics teams, and business partners to deliver data solutions that are reliable, scalable, well-governed, and useful for decision making.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Build, enhance, and support ETL/ELT data pipelines that move data from source systems to data products. 
• Monitor data product pipelines, identify issues, resolve common failures, and escalate complex problems to ensure access and quality reliability.
• Support the development and maintenance of enterprise data models so that data is integrated consistently across subject areas. 
• Work with analysts and data scientists to design, implement, and deliver semantic models needed for reporting, business intelligence, and AI workflows.
• Make controlled updates to databases, data pipelines, and virtual data layers, including testing, validation, and promotion through the proper change management process. 
• Help create reusable data domains and datasets that connect technical data structures to clear business meaning. 
• Help establish consistent naming conventions, metadata standards, and semantic clarity across data
• Follow enterprise Data Governance standards, including expectations for data quality, lineage, security, access controls, and responsible data use. 
• Collaborate across Data and IT teams to support integration strategies for internal and external data sources and contribute to a cohesive, scalable data architecture. assets. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 Year / Bachelors Degree-Bachelor's Degree (Math, Computer Science, Information Systems, Statistics Preferred) or a combination of education and experience
• Preferred Graduate Degree-Graduate Degree in Computer Science, Math, Statistics, Information Systems, Data Science
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in data engineering or comparable programming/design experience
• Experience working at Southern Farm Bureau Life in a role requiring an understanding of the underlying data for various SFB systems preferred.
• Working knowledge of ETL/ELT processes from source systems to target systems.
• Working knowledge of the DE development life cycle. (Such as the ability to troubleshoot merge conflicts).
• Advanced working SQL knowledge and experience working with relational databases as well as working familiarity with a variety of databases
• Experience performing root cause analysis on internal data and processes to answer specific business issues and identify opportunities for improvement
• Ability to establish measurable outcomes and create processes for monitoring progress towards established goals.
• Ability to make well-informed, effective and timely decisions, even when data is limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences; perceive the impact and implications of decisions.
• Must effectively demonstrate the company’s core values.

Employee Benefits: We value our employees’ well-being and offer a comprehensive benefits package:

1. Health Insurance:
   • Comprehensive coverage for employees and their families.
   • Access to an onsite clinic, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
   • Mental health coverage and an Employee Assistance Program.
2. Active Lifestyle Rewards Program:
   • Incentives for maintaining an active lifestyle.
   • Rewards for participating in fitness challenges and wellness activities.
3. Weight Management Programs:
   • Customized weight management plans.
   • Support for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
4. Employee Engagement:
   • Opportunities to connect with colleagues.
   • Fun teambuilding activities.
5. Annual events for employees and their families
   • Company Picnic, Thanksgiving lunch, Christmas Reception.
   • Family Fun Night
6. Onsite Cafe:
   • Convenient access to nutritious meals.
   • Promoting healthy eating habits.
7. Learning & Development:
   • Continuous learning opportunities.
   • Tuition reimbursement for further education.
8. Mentorship Programs:
   • Pairing employees with mentors.
   • Professional growth and guidance.
9. Promotional Opportunities:
   • Advancement within the company.
   • Career growth prospects.
10. Life Insurance and Company-Funded Pension:
    • Financial security for employees and beneficiaries.
    • Retirement planning.
11. Volunteer Days:
    • Paid time off for volunteering.
    • Contributing to the community