Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer – Fixed-Term Contract (3 Years)

Location: Remote (UK only)

Salary: £85,000 + Bonus + Benefits

Shape the future of UK data transformation at scale… An exciting opportunity has emerged for a Principal Data Engineer to join a cutting-edge data-driven organisation on a three-year fixed-term contract , delivering one of the largest public sector digital data transformation programmes in the UK. Working fully remotely (UK only), this role is perfect for a passionate technical leader ready to step into a senior-level, hands-on engineering role with real purpose and national impact.

The Role

As Principal Data Engineer, you’ll sit at the heart of a high-performing Data Engineering function, reporting directly to the Head of Data Engineering. You’ll lead by example—mentoring and empowering a cross-functional team of permanent staff and contractors, shaping engineering best practice, and delivering end-to-end data architecture and solutions at scale. This is more than a people management role—it’s about rolling your sleeves up and driving delivery in a truly hands-on, strategic way. From designing cloud-first, scalable infrastructure to implementing best-in-class pipelines and influencing technical direction, you'll be a visible leader in every sense.

What You’ll Do

• Provide technical leadership and architectural oversight across complex data engineering solutions
• Collaborate with business and delivery teams to align engineering output with strategic outcomes
• Mentor and guide a talented team of engineers, creating a culture of collaboration and innovation
• Drive hands-on delivery across cloud-native data infrastructure (AWS)
• Champion coding best practice, performance optimisation, and automation
• Own the technical roadmap and inspire continuous improvement
• Work directly with stakeholders and customers to deliver impactful solutions
• Oversee the design, build, and management of large, complex data sets with high integrity
• Contribute to the long-term success of a landmark national programme with measurable impact

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience leading data engineering teams and initiatives at scale
• Expert-level programming skills (minimum 2 languages): e.g. Python, Java, Scala, Spark, PySpark
• Strong commercial AWS experience – particularly around configuration, automation, security & monitoring
• In-depth knowledge of geospatial data , tools and frameworks – including FME and QGIS
• Advanced SQL and database optimisation skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience guiding junior engineers and promoting technical excellence
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance short-term delivery and long-term vision
• Familiarity with DevOps culture and agile software delivery methods

Nice to have: AWS and/or FME Certifications

Familiarity with ETL tools such as AWS Glue, Azure Data Factory, or Databricks

Why Join?

This role offers the best of both worlds: the autonomy of a principal technical lead and the purpose of delivering public-good technology . You’ll be joining an award-winning organisation at the forefront of PropTech and national data infrastructure. It’s a team that values innovation, bold thinking and continuous learning—and one that’s unafraid to push technical boundaries. This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference in the UK’s digital infrastructure while working with some of the best technical minds in the business. If you’re a strategic thinker, a delivery-focused technologist, and a passionate advocate for data engineering best practice—this one’s for you. Apply now for an informal chat or reach out to learn more. This is a high-priority hire with interviews happening quickly. Candidates must have the right to work without the need for Visa sponsorship.