Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer (n8n, Make, Zapier, Workato, Python & SQL)

Location: Remote

Contract Duration: 12 Months

Rate: Hourly

Engagement Type: Independent Contractor / W2 / C2C

Opportunity Overview

We are seeking an experienced Automation Engineer for a contract opportunity to help streamline our business operations, data pipelines, and application ecosystems. In this role, you will be responsible for scoping, building, and deploying robust workflow automations using modern low-code/no-code integration platforms (n8n, Make, Zapier, Workato), supported by custom Python scripting and SQL data transformations.

This contract engagement focuses on eliminating manual touchpoints, integrating third-party SaaS tools, and establishing reliable, self-healing data and workflow pipelines.

Core Responsibilities

• Workflow Design & Deployment:

  • Build, test, and deploy complex end-to-end integration workflows across n8n, Make, Zapier, and Workato.

  • Connect disparate SaaS applications, internal microservices, REST/GraphQL APIs, and database triggers via secure webhooks and API endpoints.

• Custom Python Development:

  • Write clean, efficient Python scripts for custom data transformations, API payloads, and automation edge cases beyond native platform capabilities.

• Data Pipelines & SQL Operations:

  • Construct efficient SQL queries, views, and data handling logic to read, transform, and write data across relational databases and cloud warehouses.

  • Ensure accurate schema mapping, batch processing, and transactional consistency across integrated systems.

• Reliability, Error Handling & Logging:

  • Build standardized error-handling frameworks, auto-retry logic, and alert systems to handle API downtime or schema drift gracefully.

  • Audit and document pipeline execution flow, rate limit handling, and dead-letter queue processing.

• Handoff & Documentation:

  • Partner with internal stakeholders to gather business requirements and deliver fully documented workflows, system architecture diagrams, and runbooks prior to project sign-off.

Deliverables & Key Objectives

• Scoping and automating high-priority manual business workflows across departments within agreed project timelines.

• Establishing reusable integration patterns and code modules (Python scripts, SQL templates, platform webhooks).

• Delivering comprehensive technical runbooks and training internal teams for ongoing maintenance post-contract.

Required Qualifications & Expertise

• Automation Platforms: Demonstrated expertise delivering production-grade automations using n8n (self-hosted or cloud), Make (Integromat), Zapier, or Workato.

• Python Scripting: Strong proficiency in Python for API data extraction, JSON payload parsing, and custom module execution inside automation platforms.

• Database & SQL: Advanced proficiency in SQL (PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MySQL, Snowflake, or BigQuery) for data staging, manipulation, and query optimization.

• API Architecture: Deep understanding of RESTful APIs, Webhooks, HTTP request methods, JSON/XML handling, and OAuth 2.0 authentication protocols.

• Contractor Mindset: Ability to ramp up quickly, operate independently, and deliver cleanly architected solutions with minimal supervision.

Preferred Experience

• Experience deploying or maintaining self-hosted n8n instances via Docker/Kubernetes.

• Familiarity with CI/CD deployment pipelines (GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps) or data orchestrators (dbt, Apache Airflow).