Job Description
Principal Data Engineer – Hybrid/Remote – (SC Cleared)
THE COMPANY:
A leading organisation undergoing a significant digital transformation is looking to appoint a Principal Data Engineer to play a key role in shaping its enterprise data platform and future analytics capabilities.
Joining a growing Data & Integration function, you’ll work alongside architects, product owners, and engineering teams to deliver modern, cloud-based data solutions that support business-critical decision-making. This is an opportunity to influence technical strategy, establish engineering standards, and drive the adoption of modern DataOps and cloud technologies across the organisation.
THE ROLE:
We are hiring a Principal Data Engineer to provide technical leadership across enterprise data engineering initiatives.
You’ll be responsible for designing scalable cloud-based data platforms, building modern data pipelines, and defining engineering standards that enable secure, reliable, and high-performing data solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement enterprise-scale cloud data platforms and architectures
- Lead the development of scalable data pipelines, integration frameworks, and reusable data products
- Drive best practice across Data Engineering, DataOps, and DevOps
- Implement CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code, and automated deployment processes
- Ensure data quality, governance, security, lineage, and compliance across enterprise platforms
- Collaborate with architects, software engineers, analysts, and business stakeholders to deliver high-quality data solutions
- Support cloud migration and modernisation initiatives
- Optimise platform performance, scalability, and operational efficiency
- Mentor Data Engineers and provide technical leadership across the wider engineering function
- Evaluate emerging technologies and help shape the organisation’s long-term data strategy
THE CANDIDATE:
We’re looking for an experienced Data Engineering leader with a passion for modern cloud technologies and enterprise-scale data platforms.
Essential Experience:
- 7 years’ experience in Data Engineering, Data Platform Development, or Software Engineering
- Strong experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures
- Expertise with cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud
- Advanced SQL and Python development skills
- Experience building ETL/ELT pipelines and modern data integration solutions
- Strong understanding of DataOps, DevOps, CI/CD, and Infrastructure as Code
- Experience with data modelling, data warehousing, and master data management
- Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks
- Hands-on experience with technologies such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, Airflow, or similar
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Experience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Experience working within Agile delivery environments
Desirable Experience:
- Cloud certifications (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
- TOGAF, DAMA CDMP, or Data Engineering certifications
- Experience with AI/ML platforms or MLOps
- Exposure to Data Mesh or Data Fabric architectures
- Enterprise Architecture experience
- Experience within Aerospace, Defence, Manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries
THE OFFER:
- Competitive salary
- Hybrid and flexible working options
- Opportunity to shape enterprise-wide data strategy and architecture
- Work with cutting-edge cloud technologies including Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, and Snowflake
- Technical leadership role with significant influence across the organisation
- Ongoing professional development and certification opportunities
- Collaborative engineering culture with genuine career progression
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
- Multi-stage interview process
- Technical and competency-based assessments
- Fast-moving recruitment process