Data Engineer / AI Engineer (Permanent – Onsite – Tokyo, Japan)

An opportunity has come through our network for a Data Engineer / AI Engineer at a prominent firm transforming the real estate technology sector. This full-time, permanent position, based onsite in Tokyo, Japan (Shinjuku), offers a competitive annual salary ranging from ¥4,000,000 – ¥6,200,000 and includes visa sponsorship. The core mission of this role is to generate impactful insights and develop innovative, data-driven solutions that create tangible new value within the dynamic real estate technology sector. You will play a crucial role in transforming raw data into actionable intelligence and contributing to the development of next-generation AI-powered applications.

What You’ll Be Doing: Driving Data and AI Innovation in Real Estate Tech

As a Data Engineer / AI Engineer, you will be at the forefront of leveraging data and artificial intelligence to create significant value in the real estate domain. Your responsibilities will span the entire data lifecycle, from processing vast datasets to deploying sophisticated machine learning models and building robust AI infrastructure.

• Big Data Processing and Statistical Analysis: You will apply advanced statistical methodologies and techniques to process, cleanse, analyze, and interpret large and complex datasets. This includes extracting meaningful patterns, identifying trends, and uncovering correlations from vast amounts of information to directly inform crucial business decisions within the real estate domain. Your analytical rigor will be key to deriving actionable insights from raw data.
• Machine Learning Model Development and Deployment: You will be instrumental in the full lifecycle of machine learning (ML) model development and deployment. This involves designing, developing, training, and rigorously evaluating ML models for a variety of applications within the real estate sector. Examples include predictive analytics for property values, recommendation systems for clients, and process automation solutions for operational efficiency. Your work will bring intelligent capabilities to real-world business challenges.
• AI Engineering and Solution Implementation: You will architect, build, and maintain scalable and robust AI/ML pipelines and infrastructure. This ensures that data flows efficiently, models can be trained and deployed reliably, and the underlying systems can handle growing demands. You will also integrate machine learning models and data-driven insights into existing and new products and services, embedding AI intelligence directly into the client’s offerings to create next-generation AI-powered applications.
• Development of Data-Driven Solutions: You will proactively identify business opportunities where data analysis and AI can provide significant value. This involves understanding market needs, operational inefficiencies, or potential growth areas. You will then collaborate with product managers and other stakeholders to define requirements and develop end-to-end data-driven solutions that solve real business problems and create tangible new value within the real estate technology sector.
• Data Exploration and Visualization: You will conduct extensive exploratory data analysis (EDA) to gain a deep understanding of the characteristics, quality, and structure of the data. Furthermore, you will create insightful visualizations and reports to effectively communicate your findings and complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Your ability to present data clearly ensures that insights are actionable and widely understood across the organization.
• Collaboration and Communication: You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, product managers, and business analysts. This collaboration is crucial to ensure seamless integration of data science and AI initiatives into existing products and workflows. You will effectively communicate technical concepts, project progress, and analytical results to all stakeholders, fostering a cohesive and productive environment.
• Staying Updated with Emerging Technologies: You will continuously research and evaluate new data science, machine learning, and AI technologies and methodologies. This commitment to staying updated ensures that the company remains at the forefront of innovation in the real estate tech space, leveraging the latest advancements to drive business value.

What You’ll Bring: Essential Qualifications for Data and AI Excellence in Japan

To excel as a Data Engineer / AI Engineer, you’ll need a strong academic background in a quantitative discipline, proven data processing skills, programming proficiency, and business-level Japanese language skills.

• Educational Background: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Data Science, IT Engineering, or a closely related quantitative discipline (e.g., Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering) is required. This academic foundation provides the essential theoretical knowledge for data and AI engineering.
• Fundamental Statistical Understanding: You must possess a fundamental understanding of statistical concepts and principles. This includes knowledge of probability, hypothesis testing, regression, and other statistical methods crucial for data analysis and machine learning model evaluation.
• Proven Data Processing and Analysis Experience: You have proven experience in data processing, data cleaning, and exploratory data analysis (EDA). This demonstrates your practical ability to prepare raw data for analysis, ensure its quality, and extract initial insights from complex datasets.
• Programming Skill in a Relevant Language: You must have programming skill in at least one relevant language, such as Python (widely used for data science and AI), JavaScript (for web development and data visualization), or SQL (for database querying and manipulation). Your coding ability is fundamental to this role.
• Basic Machine Learning Understanding: You should have a basic understanding of machine learning concepts and algorithms. Prior hands-on experience with ML models is a significant plus, indicating a practical readiness for AI engineering tasks.
• Business-Level Japanese Language Proficiency: You must demonstrate Business-level Japanese language proficiency. This means having N3 level or equivalent conversational and reading/writing skills necessary for effective communication within the team and with local stakeholders. Formal certification is not mandatory, but demonstrable communication skills are essential for seamless integration into the work environment in Tokyo.

Preferred Traits: Beyond Technical Skills

• Highly Proactive with Strong Ownership: You are highly proactive with a strong sense of ownership and a results-oriented mindset. You take initiative, drive tasks to completion, and are focused on achieving measurable outcomes.
• Independent Data Analysis Lifecycle Management: You have a demonstrated ability to independently manage the end-to-end data analysis lifecycle, from initial data acquisition and processing to delivering actionable insights to stakeholders.
• Adaptable and Flexible Thinking: You exhibit adaptable and flexible thinking in a dynamic work environment, capable of adjusting to changing priorities and evolving technological landscapes.
• Strong Teamwork and Collaboration: You possess strong teamwork and collaboration skills, with the ability to contribute effectively to a team and foster a supportive working atmosphere.

What You’ll Gain: Professional Growth and Impact in Tokyo

This position offers an unparalleled opportunity for professional growth, cutting-edge technical exposure, and direct impact within the dynamic real estate technology sector in Tokyo.

• Cutting-Edge Technological Exposure: Gain hands-on experience working with state-of-the-art artificial intelligence technologies and big data platforms in a real-world industry setting. This ensures your skills remain at the forefront of innovation.
• Exceptional Learning and Professional Growth: Benefit from continuous on-the-job training in statistics, machine learning, and data engineering principles under the direct guidance of experienced professionals. The company fosters a culture of learning and development, supporting your continuous skill enhancement.
• Flexibility and Innovation: Enjoy the opportunity to explore diverse technologies, experiment with new approaches, and make significant contributions to the development of innovative products that are actively shaping the future of real estate tech.
• Tangible Impact and Contribution: Your insights and contributions will directly influence product development and strategic decision-making. The company values the voices of its engineers and users, ensuring your work has a measurable impact.
• Meritocratic Advancement: The company offers a transparent and equitable merit-based system that provides clear pathways for salary increases, promotions, and bonuses based directly on your performance and contributions, regardless of age or seniority, promoting a fair and rewarding career path.

Employment Details: Your Compensation and Benefits in Japan

• Employment Type: This role is structured as an Internship leading to a Full-time position, with conversion based on performance and mutual agreement.
• Trial Period: A 3-month trial period will be part of the initial employment.
• Annual Salary: ¥4,000,000 – ¥6,200,000 (negotiable based on experience and skills).
• Monthly Salary: ¥250,000 – ¥390,000.
• Bonuses: Paid twice annually (July and December).
• Raises: Annual salary review and potential increase in July.
• Transportation Allowance: Up to ¥30,000 per month.
• Internship Stipend: During the internship period (prior to visa acquisition for international candidates), you will receive a weekly stipend of ¥50,000, in addition to reimbursement for transportation expenses.
• Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo (Onsite).
• Working Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (with a 1-hour break).
• Average Overtime: Approximately 11.48 hours per month (with a focus on work-life balance).

Holidays & Leave: Promoting Work-Life Balance

• Complete 2-day weekends: Saturday and Sunday.
• National holidays as per Japanese law.
• Generous 125 annual leave days.
• Paid leave: 10 days granted after 6 months of employment.
• Summer leave, year-end leave, and condolence leave.

Benefits: Supporting Your Well-being and Professional Life

• Employee stock ownership plan: Align your success with the company’s growth.
• Company-provided laptop and mobile phone: For work purposes.
• Annual comprehensive health check and stress screening: To support your well-being.
• Congratulatory and condolence payments: For significant life events.
• Regular internal events and social gatherings: Welcome parties, year-end celebrations, etc., to foster team spirit.

Insurance & Retirement:

• Comprehensive social insurance coverage: Including employment insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, health insurance, and pension.
• Mandatory retirement age: 60 years old.
• Re-employment opportunities: Available up to the age of 65.

Work Authorization & Visa Sponsorship:

• Overseas applicants welcome.
• Visa Sponsorship: Yes.