Senior DevOps Engineer (Python)
(Developer Python - Data Integration Role)
Location: Connolly Station
Salary: J38
Applications are invited for the position of a skilled Python Developer specializing in data integration to design, within the Chief Information Officer’s Department. The role will report to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
We are seeking build, a senior Python Developer to build and maintain robust data transformation and integration platforms for safety-critical railway environments. This role focuses on developing data pipelines, API integrations, and containerized applications that support real-time and batch data processing across complex railway operations systems. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with Python development, data engineering, modern integration patterns, and cloud-native architectures.
Key Responsibilities
1. Python Development & Architecture
- Design and implement scalable Python applications (5+ years experience)
- Develop data processing pipelines using Python 3.9+
- Build RESTful APIs using FastAPI, Flask, or Django
- Implement asynchronous programming patterns for real-time data processing
- Design microservices architecture for distributed data systems
- Develop ETL/ELT workflows for data transformation
- Create reusable libraries and frameworks for data integration
- Implement comprehensive testing strategies (unit, integration, end-to-end)
2. Data Integration & Pipeline Development
- Design and build real-time data streaming pipelines
- Implement batch data processing workflows
- Develop data transformation logic for complex business rules
- Create data validation and quality assurance mechanisms
- Build data lineage and governance tracking systems
- Implement schema evolution and versioning strategies
- Design error handling and retry mechanisms for data pipelines
- Optimize pipeline performance for high-volume data processing
3. API Development & Integration
- Design and implement RESTful and GraphQL APIs
- Develop API clients for external system integration
- Implement API authentication and authorization (OAuth2, JWT)
- Build message-based integrations (MQTT, Kafka, RabbitMQ)
- Create protocol transformation layers (JSON, XML, CSV)
- Implement API versioning and backward compatibility
- Design rate limiting and throttling mechanisms
- Build comprehensive API documentation (OpenAPI/Swagger)
4. Container & Cloud Development
- Develop containerized applications using Docker
- Implement cloud-native application patterns (Azure)
- Design infrastructure as code using Terraform or similar
- Implement CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments
- Develop monitoring and observability solutions
- Build auto-scaling and resource optimization mechanisms
5. Database Development & Optimization
- Design and optimize SQL database schemas (PostgreSQL)
- Develop NoSQL database solutions (MongoDB, Redis)
- Implement time-series databases for IoT data (InfluxDB, TimescaleDB)
- Build database migration and versioning strategies
- Optimize query performance and indexing strategies
- Implement database replication and high availability
- Design data partitioning and sharding strategies
- Build database backup and recovery solutions
6. Performance & Reliability Engineering
- Optimize application performance for low-latency requirements
- Implement caching strategies (Redis, Memcached)
- Design load balancing and failover mechanisms
- Build monitoring and alerting systems (Grafana, Prometheus)
- Implement logging and distributed tracing
- Design chaos engineering and resilience testing
- Build disaster recovery and business continuity solutions
- Optimize resource utilization and cost management
***Please note that the above list is not exhaustive. A full job description can be requested from HR Shared Services. ***
Essential criteria
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. A master's degree is a plus.
- Minimum of 5 years of professional software development experience.
- Proven experience in leading and mentoring an agile development team.
- Strong background in agile methodologies and practices, particularly Scrum.
- Extensive experience with automation tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
- Expertise in containerization (e.g., Docker)
Desirable criteria:
- Relevant certifications in Azure, DevOps, Agile methodologies, and other related fields.
- Certifications in agile methodologies (e.g., Certified Scrum Master, Agile Certified Practitioner).
Technical Skills:
- Highly Proficient in multiple programming languages Python
- Extensive experience with cloud platforms, particularly Azure, with ideally Azure certifications
- Knowledge of database management systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL).
- Expertise with DevOps practices and tools (e.g., CI/CD pipelines).
A competency-based interview will form part of this selection process. Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of their application/CV and relevant experience.
If any applicants have special requirements, please advise Shared Services when forwarding your application.
If you are interested in applying for this role, applications including CV should be forwarded to: sharedservicesrecruit@irishrail.ie by 4pm Friday 30th January 2026. A full job description can be requested at this address also.
At Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail we are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion in all that we do. This starts with how we recruit people. It is important to us that all individuals feel welcome to join our organisation and we take great care to ensure an even playing field for all.
We will strive to provide reasonable accommodation to all candidates where required and requested.
We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or disability.