Data Engineer

Originally named, Great British Nuclear, Great British Energy Nuclear is an arm’s length body of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, dedicated to supporting the development and deployment of new nuclear technologies in Great Britain. We play a crucial role in advancing nuclear new build, ensuring the UK’s energy security and achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Great British Energy – Nuclear focuses on fostering innovation, facilitating investment, and coordinating efforts across the nuclear industry to build a resilient and sustainable energy future. Great British Energy – Nuclear’s first step was to start the technology selection process for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in 2023. SMRs can potentially be quicker to deploy and less expensive to build than traditional nuclear power plants because they are smaller, have factory-based modular manufacturing and more flexible deployment options. In June 2025, Great British Energy – Nuclear announced that Rolls-Royce SMR had been selected as the preferred bidder to build the UK’s first SMRs, following a technology selection process that began in 2023. Great British Energy – Nuclear is aiming to deliver fast, based on a supportive and collaborative culture which values equality and diversity and creates an inclusive workplace. We draw on deep nuclear expertise – our Executive Committee has over 100 years of nuclear experience at home and abroad. GBE-N will unlock billions of pounds of private and public investment from design to operation, helping to get sites ready for development, and working to grow manufacturing capacity and skills capability. Our activities will be driven by our values, which are: Trust – We prioritise safety, we act responsibly and with integrity. Collaboration – We work as a team; we value diversity and expertise. Challenge – We are curious and courageous in the way we think and act. Care – We are thoughtful, inclusive and respectful of others. Drive – We get things done and we make a difference. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at recruitment@greatbritishnuclear.uk and we will talk to you about how we can assist.

Role Description

The Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in designing, building, and maintaining scalable data infrastructure and systems that support the collection, storage, processing, and analysis of structured and unstructured data. This role enables data-driven decision-making across the organisation and supports strategic initiatives such as implementation of the digital & data strategy, business intelligence strategy, predictive analytics and application of AI. At GBN, the Data Engineer contributes to the delivery of complex nuclear programs, including Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment, by ensuring robust data architecture and integration across platforms and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Pipeline Development: Design and implement ETL/ELT pipelines for ingesting, transforming, and storing data from diverse sources into data lakes, warehouses, and operational systems.
• Data Architecture & Integration: Develop scalable data architectures and integrate systems using tools such as Azure Data Factory, Apache Spark, and SQL-based platforms.
• Cloud Infrastructure Management: Deploy and manage cloud-based data platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS) with a focus on performance, cost-efficiency, and security. Contribute to the automation of data workflows and deployment processes.
• Data Quality & Governance: Implement validation, cleansing, and lineage tracking processes to ensure data integrity and compliance with standards such as GDPR. Enforce data governance, security, and compliance standards across data platforms.
• Collaboration & Support: Work closely with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver technical solutions that meet strategic goals and to ensure seamless data integration and accessibility.
• Apply Expertise: Evaluate and recommend new tools, technologies, and methodologies to improve data engineering capabilities.
• Monitoring & Optimisation: Monitor data systems and pipelines, troubleshoot issues, and optimise performance for scalability and reliability.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• Technical Proficiency: 3-5 years’ of professional experience in data engineering, software development, or related disciplines. Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, SQL, and optionally Java or Scala. Extensive experience with ETL/ELT tools and data orchestration frameworks (e.g., Apache Airflow, Luigi). Deep knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases, data warehousing, and big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark). Proven experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and their data services. Strong understanding of data architecture, modelling, and pipeline best practices. Experience implementing data security, privacy, and governance policies.
• Data Management Expertise: Knowledge of data warehousing, schema design, and real-time data processing. Understanding of metadata management, data lineage, and data governance frameworks.
• Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement. Ability to work in cross-functional teams and adapt to evolving project needs. Experience mentoring or leading Junior Engineers.
• Sector Experience: Experience in energy, infrastructure, or government programs is highly desirable. Familiarity with nuclear program delivery, SMR technology, or regulated environments is a plus.
• Qualifications: Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field preferred. Professional certifications in cloud platforms (e.g., Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate, AWS Certified Data Analytics) are advantageous. Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices is preferred.