Data Engineer

Safaricom PLC

Nairobifull time~KES 200k – 310k/mo3w ago

Quick Take

The Role

Build and maintain real-time and batch data pipelines using Kafka and Spark, ensuring data quality and delivering scalable data models that power analytics, AI, and reporting across Safaricom's massive platform.

You Need

At least 3 years of data engineering experience with strong Python and SQL skills, plus hands-on experience with Spark, Kafka, or Flink and a cloud data warehouse platform.

You Get

A rare opportunity to engineer data infrastructure at Africa's largest scale, with an above-market salary of KES 200,000–310,000/month and direct impact on products used by tens of millions of people.

Job Description

•Role Overview

Safaricom PLC is looking for a talented Data Engineer to join its Data Engineering team based in Nairobi. As one of Africa's most prominent telecommunications companies, Safaricom handles billions of transactions and user interactions every single day — and the Data Engineering team sits at the heart of converting that enormous volume of raw data into meaningful, actionable insights.

In this role, you will be instrumental in building and sustaining one of the continent's largest data platforms. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including data scientists and analysts, helping to design and deliver robust data products that power analytics, artificial intelligence, and business reporting across the organisation.

•Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain both real-time and batch data pipelines leveraging technologies such as Apache Kafka and Apache Spark
Architect scalable data models that support a wide range of use cases including analytics, AI, and enterprise reporting
Put in place data quality checks and continuous monitoring frameworks across all mission-critical pipelines
Work hand-in-hand with data scientists and analysts to conceptualise and deliver high-impact data products
Drive and uphold data governance practices and maintain thorough documentation standards across the team

•Required Skills & Experience

A minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in a data engineering role
Strong proficiency in both Python and SQL
Practical, demonstrable experience working with distributed processing frameworks such as Apache Spark, Apache Kafka, or Apache Flink
Prior experience with cloud-based data warehouses, including but not limited to Amazon Redshift, Google BigQuery, or Snowflake
Working knowledge of dbt (data build tool) for managing and executing data transformations

•Who Should Apply

This position is best suited for an experienced data engineering professional who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced data environments. If you are passionate about building reliable, scalable data infrastructure and enjoy collaborating with analytical teams to solve complex data challenges, this is an excellent opportunity for you. Candidates who are self-driven, detail-oriented, and committed to data quality and governance will find this role particularly rewarding. Experience working within large-scale or enterprise-level data platforms will be a distinct advantage.

•How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply for the Data Engineer position at Safaricom PLC in Nairobi through the company's official recruitment channels. Ensure your application clearly highlights your relevant experience with data pipelines, cloud warehouses, and the specified technologies outlined in the requirements above.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

3+ years of professional data engineering experience
Proficiency in Python and SQL
Hands-on experience with Apache Spark, Kafka, or Flink
Experience with a cloud data warehouse (Redshift, BigQuery, or Snowflake)
Ability to design scalable data models for analytics and AI use cases

Nice to Have

Experience with dbt for data transformation
Familiarity with data governance frameworks and documentation standards
Experience implementing data quality monitoring in production pipelines
Background working with high-volume, real-time transaction data

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Above market rate for a Data Engineer in Nairobi

Data Engineers in Nairobi typically earn between KES 120,000 and 220,000 per month at mid-level, making Safaricom's upper band of KES 310,000 notably competitive; salary within this range will likely depend on depth of experience with real-time systems like Kafka and cloud warehousing platforms.

About Safaricom PLC

Safaricom PLC is Kenya's largest telecommunications company and one of Africa's most influential tech-driven corporations, best known for pioneering M-PESA, the mobile money platform that has transformed financial inclusion across the continent. With over 40 million customers and billions of daily transactions, Safaricom operates at a scale that few African companies can match, giving engineers exposure to genuinely complex, high-impact infrastructure. Working here means being at the intersection of telecom, fintech, and big data — with the resources and reputation of a market leader behind you.

Likely Interview Questions

1
Walk us through a data pipeline you built from scratch — what were the design decisions you made and what trade-offs did you encounter?
2
How would you design a real-time pipeline using Kafka and Spark to process millions of M-PESA transactions per hour while ensuring exactly-once delivery?
3
How do you implement data quality checks in a production pipeline, and what happens when a check fails mid-stream?
4
Describe your experience with dbt — how have you used it to manage data transformations and ensure model documentation in a team setting?
5
How do you approach data governance and documentation when collaborating with data scientists and analysts who have different priorities?

Application Tips

Quantify the scale of pipelines you have built — mention data volumes, latency requirements, and uptime SLAs to show you can handle Safaricom's transaction throughput.
Highlight any experience with real-time streaming systems like Kafka or Flink specifically, as this appears central to the role and will differentiate you from candidates with only batch processing backgrounds.
Demonstrate cross-functional collaboration by describing projects where you worked directly with data scientists or analysts to deliver a data product, not just infrastructure.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Data Analyst

Junior Data Engineer / ETL Developer

YOU

Where this leads

Senior Data Engineer

Lead / Principal Data Engineer

Data Platform Architect

Head of Data Engineering

Skills & Keywords

Apache SparkKafkaPythonAWSdbtSQL

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

Salary is clearly stated and sits above the typical Nairobi market rate for this level, signalling transparency and seriousness about attracting strong candidates.
Safaricom is one of Africa's most reputable and financially stable employers, offering strong job security and brand-name credibility on a CV.
The role spans real-time and batch pipelines, data modelling, quality, and governance — offering genuine breadth and continuous learning rather than a narrow specialisation.
Working on one of Africa's largest data platforms means exposure to rare engineering challenges at scale that few roles on the continent can offer.

Watch Out

The job description does not mention remote or hybrid work options, which may be a concern for candidates who prioritise flexibility.
No mention of team size, reporting structure, or engineering culture, making it difficult to assess day-to-day management style or career support.

A Day in the Life

☀️

A typical week might start with a Monday standup with the data science and analytics teams, reviewing pipeline health dashboards in your cloud warehouse and triaging any data quality alerts that fired over the weekend. Mid-week you could be deep in code, extending a Kafka consumer to handle a new M-PESA transaction type or optimising a Spark job that feeds a real-time fraud detection model. By Friday you might be reviewing a colleague's dbt pull request, updating pipeline documentation, and joining a data governance meeting to align on naming standards for a new reporting domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to apply for the Data Engineer role at Safaricom PLC?

You need at least 3 years of data engineering experience, strong Python and SQL skills, and hands-on experience with at least one streaming framework (Spark, Kafka, or Flink) plus a cloud data warehouse platform like BigQuery, Redshift, or Snowflake.

Is the Safaricom Data Engineer position remote or office-based?

The role is listed as based in Nairobi, and the posting does not mention remote or hybrid options, so candidates should expect an on-site or Nairobi-based arrangement.

How much does a Data Engineer earn at Safaricom PLC?

Safaricom has posted a salary range of KES 200,000 to KES 310,000 per month, which is above the typical market rate for data engineers in Nairobi and reflects the seniority and technical depth the role demands.

What are the career growth opportunities for a Data Engineer at Safaricom?

Given Safaricom's scale and investment in data and AI, strong performers can progress to Senior or Lead Data Engineer roles, move into data architecture, or transition into platform or engineering management within one of Africa's largest tech organisations.

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