Senior Data Engineer

Job summary

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) helps businesses invest, innovate, export and grow across the UK. The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate helps to deliver this by designing, building and running the services, platforms and technology that businesses and colleagues rely on every day.

Our teams work on a wide range of services and technologies, including:

• digital services that help businesses access government support, guidance and opportunities
• data and AI products that support decision making and enable innovation
• internal tools and services that help colleagues work more effectively
• secure technology and platforms that support critical government services
• cyber security services that protect systems, data and users

By joining DDaT, you'll work on services used by businesses, colleagues and citizens across the UK. You'll be part of multidisciplinary teams focused on improving services, solving complex problems and delivering better outcomes for users.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. In recognition of this, we were named Best Public Sector Employer at the Women in Tech Employer Awards 2025!

Job description

Data engineers at BIST are pivotal to our mission of driving economic growth by placing data at the heart of decision-making. We leverage leading cloud and open-source technology to build scalable, business-critical data pipelines, products and services, ensuring our users—whether within BIST, across government, or the public— have access to the right data in the optimal format.

This could include:

Using Apache Airflow and various AWS tools to build robust, scalable pipelines

Using Terraform to deploy and maintain our Postgres-backed data platform

Our cross-functional, agile teams work collaboratively on a range of projects from implementing AI tools, to our data science and analytics platform, to our system for managing the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICs), and beyond. Data Engineers also belong to a vibrant community (both within DBT and across government) who share and promote best practice.

We are seeking a collaborative and innovative problem-solver to help us deliver better outcomes for our users. You will use your expertise in SQL, Python and AWS to build robust data products, develop scalable data products. You will also have experience in supporting and developing more junior members of the team.

Main responsibilities

You will:

• Lead the design, build, and testing of data products: Develop robust data products by integrating feeds from multiple systems, utilising a variety of storage technologies and access methods
• Ensure the delivery of resilient and scalable solutions: Select and deploy the most suitable technologies to create data solutions that are resilient, scalable, and future proof
• Have problem-solving expertise: Understanding of common issues in databases, data processes, products, and services, and apply standard solutions effectively
• Collaborate with stakeholders: Work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders to understand their requirements, establish project goals, and define deliverables.
• Support users and solve issues: Assist users in utilising data tools, resolve issues promptly, and escalate when necessary
• Promote best practices: Develop and advocate for best practices within the team.
• Encourage team building and development: Organise initiatives to foster team building and professional development
• Provide line management and support to junior team members, guiding their growth and development
• Drive continuous improvement: Stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in data engineering to drive continuous improvement

Person specification

It is essential that you have:

• Expert Python and SQL skills: design and build reusable software, performance optimisation, automated testing, and troubleshooting complex production systems (Lead Criteria)
• Experience leading teams to develop resilient Python data pipelines, including testing, automation, performance tuning and troubleshooting
• Proven ability to lead the design and delivery of secure, resilient AWS infrastructure, applying effective networking, access control, monitoring and secrets management through Infrastructure as Code using Terraform
• Experience building Docker and container-based workflows
• Broad experience developing and maintaining enterprise-level data solutions
• Experience defining and implementing data quality and automated testing strategies, including validation, monitoring and controls across complex data pipelines

It is desirable that you have:

• Experience of line management including setting objectives, managing performance and coaching and developing others
• Experience using agile methodologies on data projects

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Data development process
• Data innovation
• Data modelling
• Problem management
• Programming and build (data and analytics engineering)

Benefits

If you join us, you will get:

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A flexible, hybrid working environment with options like condensed hours
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual leave starting at 25 days rising to 30 days with service
• Three paid volunteering days a year
• An employee benefits programme including cycle to work

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply

As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a two-page CV and complete a 750-word pers