Staff Data Engineer (Durham, NC) #4433

Our mission is to detect cancer early, when it can be cured. We are working to change the trajectory of cancer mortality and bring stakeholders together to adopt innovative, safe, and effective technologies that can transform cancer care.

We are a healthcare company, pioneering new technologies to advance early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges.

GRAIL is headquartered in the bay area of California, with locations in Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and the United Kingdom. It is supported by leading global investors and pharmaceutical, technology, and healthcare companies.

For more information, please visit grail.com

We design, optimize, and manage GRAIL’s end-to-end data lifecycle, from sample ingestion through analysis, ensuring every step meets rigorous regulatory and clinical standards. We are seeking a Staff Software Engineer to help deliver the high-quality datasets that power research, analytics, and scientific insights. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable data solutions aligned with FDA and global health authority requirements.

Our ideal candidate brings experience in the life sciences and a strong background in data processing, infrastructure and operational excellence.

This hybrid role (60% of time onsite) and will be based Durham, NC in our state of the art lab.

• Contribute to a highly collaborative team focused on delivering value to cross-functional partners by implementing processes and tools that prepare analysis-ready datasets.
• Integrate inputs from diverse data sources across the organization into well-structured, harmonized datasets.
• Build and maintain access controls and data-delivery mechanisms that uphold stringent blinding and privacy standards.
• Partner with Research, Clinical Lab Operations, and Software Engineering teams to define and implement data transformations that support downstream analysis.
• Ensure all delivered data adheres to software quality expectations, clinical compliance requirements, sequestration protocols, and privacy regulations.
• Implement automated testing and release processes to improve the reliability, quality, and velocity of software and data deliveries.
• Mentor engineers and scientists, promoting best practices in software development, data engineering, and operational rigor.
• These responsibilities summarize the role’s primary responsibilities and are not an exhaustive list. They may change at the company’s discretion.

• BS/MS/PhD in a quantitative field (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Bioinformatics) ​or equivalent and 6+ years of experience in data engineering, ideally within a regulated biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, or healthcare environment.
• Deep knowledge of ETL/ELT workflows, data pipeline development, and database management, with demonstrated success delivering data solutions for clinical or regulatory use cases.
• Expertise in SQL and proficiency in Go and Python. Experience with R would be nice to have.
• Experience with cloud-based data platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) and preferably an understanding of compliance frameworks such as HIPAA and GDPR.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a track record of maintaining data quality and integrity across complex datasets.
• Proven experience working on cross-functional teams and translating user requirements into scalable, high-quality data solutions.
• Hands-on experience with relational databases, data modeling, data pipeline tools, and workflow engines (e.g., SQL, dbt, Apache Airflow, AWS Glue, Spark).
• Familiarity with DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, containerized deployment (e.g., Kubernetes), and infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform).
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, refine evolving requirements, and work with product and stakeholder teams to drive clear engineering objectives and designs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor technical content to diverse audiences.

Expected full time annual base pay scale for the RTP area is $142K-$200K. Actual base pay will consider skills, experience and location.

This role may be eligible for other forms of compensation, including an annual bonus and/or incentives, subject to the terms of the applicable plans and Company discretion. This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the range that the Company reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire; the actual compensation offered may vary depending on factors such as the candidate’s qualifications. Employees in this role are also eligible for GRAIL’s comprehensive and competitive benefits package, offered in accordance with our applicable plans and policies. This package currently includes flexible time-off or vacation; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; medical, dental, and vision coverage; and carefully selected mindfulness programs.

GRAIL is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a workplace where every individual can thrive, contribute, and grow. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, , or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws. Additionally, GRAIL will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact us at [email protected] if you require an accommodation to apply for an open position.

GRAIL maintains a drug-free workplace. We welcome job-seekers from all backgrounds to join us!