Jun Lee, Senior Data Engineer at Reliant AI, brings together a deep passion for technology, a love for startups, and a growing dedication to transforming life sciences through artificial intelligence. Based in our Montreal office, Jun is critical in building scalable data pipelines and crafting innovative solutions that empower smarter, faster decision-making for our clients.
His work bridges multiple functions—collaborating with founding team members to support machine learning, product, and customer engagement efforts. For Jun, Reliant’s culture stands out most: "We have team members with backgrounds from all over the world (and speak over 11 languages) and our diversity makes us stronger. The team consistently exchanges different ideas and it is refreshing to see passionate mindsets."
An Unconventional Introduction
Jun’s path to Reliant was anything but typical. When he first discovered the company, its online presence was simple—just a single-page website featuring a logo (which has since been revamped). A blog post by founder Karl-Moritz caught his attention, eventually leading to a coffee chat with co-founder Marc. That conversation sparked something deeper.
"It wasn’t just another startup," Jun recalls. "I saw a rare opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI using unique datasets, all in service of solving real-world problems. It clicked with both my personal interests and professional goals."
Startup Spirit, Big Impact
"Working at a startup feels like driving through a dark tunnel — you can’t always see where you're going, but sometimes you look back and catch a glimpse of something delightful that you completely missed on the way in."
Having worked at three startups—most recently Elevate Security—Jun is no stranger to the pace and ambiguity that often define early-stage ventures. "Startups can be both exciting and intimidating," he admits. "But there’s joy in building something that matters, alongside a team fueled by bold ideas and ambitions."
He’s also no stranger to success: "I was fortunate to join a startup early in my career and see it through to a successful exit. That experience taught me the value of persistence, adaptability, and belief in the mission."
On the challenges that come with uncharted territory, Jun says: "Working at a startup feels like driving through a dark tunnel — you can’t always see where you're going, but sometimes you look back and catch a glimpse of something delightful that you completely missed on the way in."
Why Life Sciences?
With a computer science and microbiology background, Jun has long believed in the potential of bridging tech and life science, which he sees as two unlikely friends. "I always felt that computer science and the life sciences needed to become closer," he says.
At Reliant, bringing two types of sciences closer is now part of his everyday reality—building systems that help accelerate research and solve complex biotech challenges.
Jun’s story is one of many at Reliant, where driven individuals find jobs and purpose. His journey reflects the impact we strive for: bringing together curious minds to create meaningful change.
Want to work with Jun and the rest of our team?
Check out our open roles or follow us on LinkedIn to learn more. Or follow Jun’s advice: “Reach out to us, question us. As much as we want you to be a fit for us, we want to be a fit for you.”
