Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Data Engineer, Data Platform
at Recursion
🏢 About Recursion
Recursion is a biotechnology company that uses machine learning and automation to decode biology and discover new medicines. They combine massive datasets of cellular microscopy images, chemistry libraries, and assay results to accelerate drug discovery. Working here means contributing to cutting-edge research that could transform healthcare while operating at the intersection of biology and technology.
About This Role
As Senior Data Engineer for the Data Platform, you'll build and scale systems that allow scientists and researchers to query across Recursion's diverse biological datasets. This role is critical because it directly enables drug discovery by making heterogeneous data (chemistry libraries, cellular images, assay results) accessible and relatable. You'll mentor others while tackling complex technical challenges with significant ambiguity.
💡 A Day in the Life
You might start by reviewing platform performance metrics, then collaborate with scientists to understand new data integration needs. Your afternoon could involve designing schema improvements for heterogeneous datasets, mentoring junior engineers on data modeling best practices, and evaluating new technologies for the platform. You'll regularly navigate technical complexity across multiple systems while ensuring researchers can effectively query diverse biological data.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Recursion Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years building cloud-based data platforms for large, complex datasets (not just ETL pipelines)
- Can articulate tradeoffs between different data platform architectures and technologies for biological/heterogeneous data
- Thrives in ambiguous, collaborative environments with multiple systems and diverse technologies
- Demonstrates genuine excitement for learning new technologies and applying them to biological data challenges
📝 Tips for Applying to Recursion
Highlight specific experience with heterogeneous datasets (not just structured data) - mention chemistry, imaging, or assay data if you have it
Describe a project where you built query-ability across diverse data sources, emphasizing the technical challenges and how you solved them
Mention your experience mentoring or coaching others in data engineering contexts, not just technical leadership
Show excitement for Recursion's mission by connecting your data platform experience to biological or drug discovery applications
Be prepared to discuss how you've evaluated and chosen between different data platform architectures for specific use cases
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your experience building data platforms for large, heterogeneous datasets (not just data pipelines)', "How you've made diverse datasets relatable and query-able in past roles", 'Your approach to mentoring and knowledge sharing in technical teams', "Why you're specifically excited about applying data engineering to Recursion's biological data challenges"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Recursion's OS platform and how they use cellular images and AI for drug discovery
- → Their recent publications or presentations about their data infrastructure or platform
- → The types of biological data they work with (cellular microscopy, chemistry libraries, assay results) and the challenges of integrating them
- → Their technology stack mentions in job descriptions or engineering blog posts
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on ETL/ELT experience without discussing data platform architecture and design
- Treating this as a generic data engineering role without showing understanding of Recursion's biological data context
- Not demonstrating experience with ambiguous, multi-system projects or mentoring others
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!