Response Data Engineer, 6mo Contract

The Response Data Engineer provides hands-on engineering support for WCK's frontline data tools and systems. This role is responsible for maintaining and improving the data infrastructure that powers response operations — ensuring field teams have reliable, connected tools that minimize manual data entry and adapt to the fast-changing needs of disaster response.

Working closely with the broader Response Technology team, this engineer will refine WCK's response data model, develop sustainable improvements to Airtable and offline data tools, and build integrations that connect workstreams across response business units. The goal: a flexible, low-maintenance data ecosystem that lets field teams focus on feeding impacted communities, and having the right, real-time data to make optimized operational decisions.

Initial Contract Term: 6 months (with option to extend in 6-month increments)
Location: Remote; travel to responses may be required
Hours: 40 hours/week; may include evenings and weekends during response activations
Reports To: VP, Response Technology

Key Responsibilities

Data Tools & Integration Maintenance

• Maintain and troubleshoot frontline data tools, primarily Airtable-based systems supporting Response Operations
• Build and maintain integrations between response systems using REST APIs, ensuring data flows reliably across platforms
• Provide responsive technical support during activations, including outside standard business hours when needed
• Monitor system health and proactively address issues before they impact field operations

Data Model & Template Development

• Refine and evolve the response data model to better reflect operational realities and reduce complexity in cooperation with key stakeholders
• Develop and improve Airtable templates and offline data tools that standardize processes while remaining flexible for diverse response contexts
• Reduce redundant data entry by connecting response unit processes and automating data flows where possible
• Build automated data QA processes to support data integrity and enable reliable real-time reporting
• Document data structures, integrations, and templates to enable knowledge transfer and long-term maintainability

Collaboration & Governance

• Partner with Enterprise Technology to ensure engineering work follows organizational standards and best practices
• Collaborate closely with Response Technology team members to understand operational needs and translate those into technical solutions
• Work with field teams to gather feedback and iterate on tools based on real-world usage
• Participate in code reviews and maintain clean, well-documented codejectives.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in software development, data engineering, or technical operations

• Strong understanding of relational data modeling principles — normalization, entity-relationship design, and schema evolution
• Experience designing data structures that balance flexibility with maintainability
• Proficiency in JavaScript and Python
• Strong experience with SQL and relational data concepts
• Hands-on experience with Airtable (scripting, automations and Interfaces)
• Experience building and consuming REST APIs
• Ability to safely and effectively leverage AI development tools (e.g., Claude Code, GitHub Copilot)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to translate technical requirements from non-technical users
• Comfort working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with shifting priorities
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends during response activations

Preferred

• DBT data modeling experience
• Experience supporting field operations or frontline teams in humanitarian, logistics, or crisis response contexts
• Exposure to managing schema changes in production systems (versioning, migration, backwards compatibility)
• Ability to facilitate workshops with operational teams to validate data models against real workflows
• Familiarity with offline-capable data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK, Fulcrum)
• Experience with data visualization or reporting tools
• Background working in distributed, remote-first teams

Working Conditions

• This is a remote position with flexibility on location
• Must have reliable and high-speed internet access and ability to work across US time zones
• Travel to response locations may be required, potentially including challenging or disaster-affected environments
• During active responses, work hours may extend to evenings and weekends based on operational needs
• Standard working hours will be established in coordination with supervisor during non-activation periods

Application & Cover Letter

This application requires a cover letter that explains your interest in this position and in working for WCK. Applications without a letter will not be considered. Please include your letter in one pdf document with your resume.

Benefits

Why Join WCK?

World Central Kitchen uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. We are first responders, mobilizing with a network of food trucks, restaurants, and community kitchens to provide chef-prepared meals to those in need.

WCK operates with an "embrace chaos mindset", we show up when others can't or won't, and we adapt in real-time to meet the needs of the communities we serve. We're looking for team members who thrive in this environment: resourceful, resilient, and driven by the urgency of the mission.