KPF is a global architecture and urban design firm known for its innovative approach to the built environment. We are committed to integrating cutting-edge technology into our design process, and we are building an internal data and systems capability to enhance how we work, collaborate, and deliver world-class architecture.

Role Overview

We are looking for a motivated and technically curious Junior Data & Systems Developer to join our growing technology team. In this role, you will build and maintain data pipelines, manage databases, integrate third-party APIs, and develop lightweight internal tools and interfaces that support KPF's workflows. You will work closely with and directly support our AI Systems Engineer, helping to build and maintain the data infrastructure that powers KPF's AI systems.

No prior AI experience is required, you will gain hands-on exposure to AI systems, including large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, and vector databases, through direct collaboration with our AI Systems Engineer. This is a role where you'll build real AI skills on the job.

This is an entry-to-junior level role (0 – 4 years’ experience,) and we are looking for someone who is eager to learn, has foundational hands-on experience, and is ready to grow within a collaborative and design-forward environment. You don't need to know everything, but you need to be resourceful, dependable, and excited about building things that make a difference.

Primary Responsibilities:

Data Pipelines & Data Management

Build, maintain, and monitor ETL/ELT data pipelines to collect, transform, and load data from various internal and external sources
Clean, validate, and structure data to ensure quality and consistency across systems
Manage and maintain relational databases (MSSQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar), including schema design, indexing, and query optimization
Write efficient, well-structured SQL queries for data extraction, transformation, and reporting
Document data flows, schemas, and pipeline logic for team reference

API Integration

Connect to and consume third-party and internal REST APIs to pull, sync, and process data
Build lightweight API wrappers and integrations in Python to automate data collection workflows
Handle authentication, pagination, rate limiting, and error handling in API integrations
Monitor and maintain existing integrations to ensure reliability and data freshness

Web Development & Internal Tools

Develop simple internal web applications and dashboards using Flask or FastAPI
Build basic frontend interfaces (HTML/CSS/JavaScript or lightweight frameworks) to expose data and tools to internal users
Collaborate with team members to understand needs and iterate on practical, easy-to-use tools
Maintain and improve existing internal applications

Cloud Deployment & Infrastructure

Deploy applications and services on AWS using core services such as EC2, S3, and RDS
Containerize applications using Docker and manage basic container deployments
Follow best practices for environment configuration, secrets management, and basic security

AI Systems Support (On-the-Job Training & Growing Responsibility)

Prepare, clean, and structure data for ingestion into AI and LLM pipelines (e.g., document chunking, metadata tagging, embedding-ready formatting)
Maintain and monitor vector store data ingestion pipelines (e.g., design workflows to upload data and documents, refresh indexes)
Support the AI Systems Engineer with data tasks related to RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems
Help manage knowledge bases and structured data sources that feed conversational AI tools
Assist with testing and validating data quality within AI-powered applications

Qualifications:

Must-Have

Python — comfortable writing scripts, automating tasks, and building small applications
SQL — ability to write and optimize queries; experience with relational databases (MSSQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite)
REST APIs — experience consuming APIs, handling JSON responses, and building simple integrations
Flask or FastAPI — some experience building basic web applications or API endpoints
AWS basics — familiarity with EC2, S3, and RDS; ability to deploy and manage simple cloud resources
Docker — basic understanding of containerization and ability to build and run Docker containers
Git — version control fundamentals; comfortable working in a collaborative codebase

Nice-to-Have

Experience with data pipeline tools (n8n, or similar schedulers)
Familiarity with AWS Lambda or other serverless compute
Basic frontend skills — HTML, CSS, JavaScript or lightweight frameworks (React, Vue)
Exposure to data visualization tools or libraries (D3, Chart.js, etc.)
Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, etc.)
Basic familiarity with LLMs and AI concepts (how data feeds into AI systems, embeddings, vector search)
Exposure to vector databases (Azure AI Search) — even conceptual understanding is a plus
Curiosity about AI/ML systems and eagerness to grow into more AI-focused work
Interest or background in AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) or creative industries
Experience working with AI coding tools like Claude Code, Cursor or GitHub Copilot.

What We're Looking For in a Candidate

Someone who takes ownership of their work and follows through from start to finish
Comfortable working as part of a small, collaborative tech team, supporting a more senior AI engineer while owning data and infrastructure responsibilities independently
Detail-oriented — data quality and reliability matter; you care about getting it right
Willing to ask questions, learn quickly, and grow with the team
Able to communicate clearly with non-technical colleagues (architects, designers, project managers)
A builder mindset — you enjoy creating tools that solve real problems for real people

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience
Relevant certifications (AWS Cloud Practitioner, AWS Developer, etc.) are a plus but not required

Work Environment: This position requires you to be in person in our New York office 5 days per week.

Pay Range:

$70,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annual

Why KPF?

KPF’s mission is to elevate cities through impactful design, collaborating closely with the world’s most forward-thinking clients to create high performing, carefully crafted buildings that are unique to their physical, social, and environmental contexts.

Career Growth: Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.
Company Culture: Collaborative, high-performance environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.
Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k with company matching contributions, paid time off and other perks.

To Apply:

Applications submitted without a resume will not be considered.

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KPF is an equal opportunity employer.