Data Platform Engineer

Salary: £52,000 - £58,000 per annum Employment type: Permanent Hours per week: 37 Reporting into: Lead Data Platform Engineer Department: Analysis, Insight and Performance Click here to read the full job description and view our excellent benefits here Unfortunately we cannot sponsor skilled worker visas for this role. This role operates primarily on a remote working arrangement that only requires a site visit roughly once every 2 months for team meetings. Our working model arrangements are a non-contractual benefit so please note that an Arden work location is added to our employment contracts. About Arden University : We are an aspirational and multi-award-winning university, delivering rapid growth with ambitious plans to disrupt the HE sector through our passion for innovation and digital education. Our vision is to become the first-choice university for career-focused lifelong learners worldwide, ensuring that everyone, everywhere can access higher education. There has never been a more exciting time to join Arden University, as we expand into new disciplines, forge worldwide partnerships, and expand our locations. About our Department : The Data Platform Engineer sits within our Analysis, Insights & Performance department at Arden University which plays a vital role in driving data-driven decisions. By providing valuable insights, monitoring performance, and promoting innovation, the team supports the university's mission to enhance student outcomes and drive continuous improvement. About the Opportunity: As a Data Platform Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping and evolving Arden University’s data platform, using your expertise to drive improvements in student experience, student outcomes, and operational efficiency. Working within the Data Platform squad, you will contribute to the development and optimisation of the University’s core data infrastructure, including the data lake and medallion architecture. You will ensure the platform is robust, scalable and reliable, meeting the needs and expectations of stakeholders across the organisation. You will provide guidance on the effective use of modern cloud data technologies, including platforms such as Power BI and Microsoft Fabric, helping to maximise the value of data across Arden. Alongside this, you will support the development of a forward-looking data platform strategy, leveraging modern engineering patterns and technologies to enable analysts, data scientists and engineers to work efficiently and effectively. Using your business insight, you will identify opportunities where enhancements to the data platform can deliver meaningful impact. You will also play an important role in supporting and coaching the wider data team, promoting best practice and ensuring the platform continues to evolve in line with the University’s ambitions. This is a hands-on role with a strong focus on platform engineering, architecture and continuous improvement, rather than traditional SQL development alone. About You: We are looking for a skilled and forward-thinking Data Platform Engineer with a strong foundation in modern data engineering and a passion for building scalable, high-performing data platforms. You will bring a blend of technical expertise and business understanding, with the ability to translate data requirements into effective platform solutions and support the wider organisation in unlocking the value of data. Essential Skills / Experience: Familiarity with big data technologies and ecosystems such as Microsoft Synapse/Fabric/Databricks, Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, and others. Experience with programming languages such as Python, R or SQL Solid understanding of database design and theory, including SQL and NoSQL technologies Knowledge of data engineering principles, including ETL design and data lifecycle management Familiarity with data pipeline and integration tools such as Data Factory, Airflow or similar Understanding of CI/CD, DevOps practices and version control (e.g. Git) Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders Demonstrable experience delivering business value through data and analytics Desirable Skills / Experience: Formal Data & Analytics certifications (e.g. Certified Analytics Professional, Azure Data Engineer or Data Scientist Associate) Experience with big data technologies such as Spark, Kafka, or Hadoop ecosystems Familiarity with agile delivery methodologies such as Scrum Experience across multiple data disciplines such as data warehousing, BI, data governance, data architecture or data strategy Knowledge of lakehouse architecture and modern data platform patterns Experience working within the Higher Education sector Understanding of data science tools and techniques within Azure Awareness of data governance, security and regulatory requirements (e.g. GDPR) Why Arden: At Arden, you will become a part of a passionate and dedicated team who are committed to removing…