Senior Data Infrastructure Engineer (Contract)

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Founded through Flagship Pioneering’s venture creation engine, Terrana Biosciences is a cutting-edge agricultural biotechnology company developing innovative RNA-based products to address global agricultural challenges. We are committed to advancing sustainable farming solutions through precision technologies that ensure environmental safety and regulatory compliance.

THE ROLE

We are seeking a skilled and strategically minded contract Data Infrastructure Engineer to design, implement, and maintain scalable data systems that support our growing scientific and operational needs. This role will focus on building platform-agnostic, cloud-native infrastructure—primarily in AWS—that underpins key scientific software such as Benchling, ticketing systems, analytics platforms, and high-throughput lab workflows. 

You will partner closely with bioinformatics, ML/AI & software, and lab operations teams to ensure our data is structured, accessible, and reliable for both routine and high-volume analyses. 

You’ll play a pivotal role in transforming how we manage and leverage scientific data—helping us drive innovation, increase data integrity, and future-proof our data systems. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful science with cutting-edge infrastructure and a mission-driven team. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, build, and maintain relational and non-relational databases in AWS (RDS, Redshift, DynamoDB, etc.) 
• Lead data model architecture for scientific workflows, ticketing systems, and knowledge platforms 
• Lead technical consulting engagements with LIMS experts at the cutting edge of biotechnology to enable high-throughput workflows and analytics 
• Develop and manage data pipelines for ingesting, cleaning, and transforming lab and operational data
• Implement and enforce data governance, security, and access control best practices
• Collaborate cross-functionally with software engineers, ML/AI scientists and domain scientists to ensure performance and alignment with scientific tools (e.g., Benchling) 
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize database performance and resource usage 
• Document and automate standard procedures for system maintenance, updates, and data access 
• Leverage generative AI tools (e.g., Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or custom LLMs) to accelerate scripting, automate documentation, improve query generation, or enhance system monitoring and diagnostics 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Bioinformatics, or a related field
• Master’s degree in a technical field or equivalent professional experience in cloud-based data infrastructure or scientific computing highly preferred
• 4+ years of experience in database administration, data engineering, or infrastructure roles
• Deep experience with AWS cloud services, including RDS, Athena, S3, and IAM
• Experience modeling laboratory workflows within a LIMS, including change management and training of users
• Experience as an information management system administrator or owner, Benchling preferred
• Proficient in SQL, data modeling, ETL/ELT workflows, and interacting with APIs
• Familiarity with version control, CI/CD, and infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation)
• 2+ years of experience with Bioinformatics workflow management tools, Nextflow preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Experience in a life sciences or biotech environment
• Exposure to Smartsheet preferred
• Familiarity with scientific data standards and FAIR principles preferred
• Scripting experience (Python, Shell) for automation and data transformation preferred
• Experience applying generative AI tools to support infrastructure automation, data engineering, or operational tooling preferred
• Interest in emerging AI-native workflows to enhance data and platform productivity preferred

LOCATION:  Cambridge, MA or Durham, NC

ABOUT FLAGSHIP PIONEERING:

Flagship Pioneering invents and builds platform companies, each with the potential for multiple products that transform human health, sustainability and beyond. Since its launch in 2000, Flagship has originated more than 100 companies. Many of these companies have addressed humanity’s most urgent challenges: vaccinating billions of people against COVID-19, curing intractable diseases, improving human health, preempting illness, and feeding the world by improving the resiliency and sustainability of agriculture.  

Flagship has been recognized twice on FORTUNE’s “Change the World” list, an annual ranking of companies that have made a positive social and environmental impact through activities that are part of their core business strategies and has been twice named to Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Learn more about Flagship at www.flagshippioneering.com.

At Flagship, we accept impossible missions to enable bigger leaps. Our core values guide us through uncertainty and toward lasting impact.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We recognize that great candidates often bring unique strengths without fulfilling every qualification. If you have some of the experience listed above but not all, please apply anyway. We are dedicated to building diverse and inclusive teams and look forward to learning more about your background and interest in Flagship.

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies: Flagship Pioneering and its affiliated Flagship Lab companies (collectively, “FSP”) do not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than candidates. The submission of unsolicited resumes by recruitment or staffing agencies to FSP or its employees is strictly prohibited unless contacted directly by Flagship Pioneering’s internal Talent Acquisition team. Any resume submitted by an agency in the absence of a signed agreement will automatically become the property of FSP, and FSP will not owe any referral or other fees with respect thereto. 

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The pay range for this role is $108,000 - $148,500 per hour and the contractor will be employed by a third-party staffing company. Certain employee benefits may be available to the contractor through the staffing company after meeting minimum criteria. Compensation and benefits information is based on Terrana Biosciences, Inc.'s good faith estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future.