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Associate Data Engineer - Client Innovation Center (Entry Level)

IBM

Software Engineering, Data Science

California, USA · Texas City, TX, USA

Posted on Jan 28, 2026

Introduction

IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (CICs) are high-delivery, team-based environments where technologists work onsite to build real solutions for real clients.

At CIC, associates collaborate closely with peers and experienced practitioners to design, build, test, and support enterprise applications at scale. Our delivery centers are built for learning through delivery, combining hands-on project work, structured training, mentorship, and teamwork to help early-career professionals develop strong technical foundations and grow with confidence.

This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy problem-solving, learning quickly, and working in an in-person, collaborative delivery environment.

In this role, you'll work in one of our IBM Consulting Client Innovation Centers (Delivery Centers), where we deliver deep technical and industry expertise to a wide range of public and private sector clients around the world. Our delivery centers offer our clients locally based skills and technical expertise to drive innovation and adoption of new technology.

Your role and responsibilities

The Associate Data Engineer role is entry-level and focuses on supporting the development, operation, and improvement of data pipelines and platforms within a broader delivery team.

This role is not about owning data platforms on day one. It is about applying strong programming and data fundamentals, learning how enterprise data systems are built and operated, and contributing to data engineering work under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

Associates are expected to contribute to established delivery teams and progressively assume greater responsibility and ownership as their skills and experience develop.

As an Associate Data Engineer, you will:

Support the development and maintenance of data pipelines used for analytics, reporting, and machine learning
Assist with extracting, transforming, and loading (ETL/ELT) data from multiple sources into data platforms
Contribute to data cleansing, validation, and transformation activities using Python and SQL
Help prepare datasets for downstream consumption by analytics and data science teams
Support batch and, where applicable, near-real-time data processing workflows under guidance
Collaborate with data engineers, data scientists, and other team members in Agile delivery environments
Build data engineering skills through training, mentorship, and hands-on delivery experience
Work with functional and technical team members to help integrate data solutions into client business environments

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

These qualifications are essential for success in the role.

Core Foundations

Strong foundation in computer science fundamentals, including data structures and algorithms
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to data quality and reliability
Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment
Ability to work effectively in a technology-driven consulting environment where tools, platforms, and client needs evolve over time
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to approach complex tasks using structured, logical thinking
Ability to learn new systems and technologies quickly and apply them in a delivery setting

Programming & Data Skills

Proficiency in Python (preferred) or another programming language used for data processing
Hands-on experience using data manipulation tools such as pandas, NumPy, and SQL, gained through coursework, labs, projects, or internships
Ability to write clear, maintainable code for data transformation and processing tasks

Data Engineering Fundamentals

Understanding of ETL/ELT concepts and how data moves from source systems to consumption layers
Familiarity with relational databases and SQL for querying and data manipulation
Basic understanding of data modeling concepts such as schemas, normalization, or dimensional models

Platform & Cloud Awareness

Exposure to cloud-based data or analytics platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) through coursework, labs, or projects
Familiarity with core cloud data services such as object storage, databases, or analytics services

Business & Delivery Skills

Ability to translate business or functional requirements into technical solutions, with guidance from senior team members
Comfortable working onsite in a collaborative, team-based environment
Strong willingness to learn, accept feedback, and continuously improve

Emerging Technology Awareness

Familiarity with generative AI concepts, including basic modeling approaches, responsible use, and ethical considerations, gained through coursework, projects, or self-study

Preferred technical and professional experience

Exposure to distributed data processing tools such as Apache Spark or PySpark

Familiarity with modern data warehouse technologies (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery)
Exposure to streaming or event-based data concepts
Familiarity with version control tools such as Git
Basic awareness of how data engineering supports machine learning workflows

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Consulting is IBM’s consulting and global professional services business, with market leading capabilities in business and technology transformation. With deep expertise in many industries, we offer strategy, experience, technology, and operations services to many of the most innovative and valuable companies in the world. Our people are focused on accelerating our clients’ businesses through the power of collaboration. We believe in the power of technology responsibly used to help people, partners and the planet.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

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