Data Engineer

The Data Engineer sits within the Finance Insights team and plays a key role in modernising the Finance function at Shawbrook. The team is rapidly deploying new technology, automation and analytics across Finance, with a focus on people, processes, optimisation and automation. The role holder will work directly with Finance users to understand their day-to-day challenges and design Python-based tools, data pipelines and analytical solutions that streamline workflows, reduce manual effort and surface richer insight from the Bank's financial data. The role combines hands-on development with applied analytics, machine learning and AI, helping Finance move from manual reporting to a scalable, insight-led operating model. All development, deployment and operation takes place within the Bank's Microsoft Azure environment, and the role holder will be expected to design, build and run Python solutions natively on Azure. It directly supports Shawbrook's "best of both" ethos, combining deep human expertise with advanced digital, tech and data capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Finance users to rethink how the function works, identifying opportunities for process optimisation, workflow automation and AI/ML-driven insight that improve efficiency, decision-making and business outcomes.
• Design, build and maintain Python-based tools, scripts and data pipelines that automate recurring finance processes such as month-end reporting, reconciliations, data preparation and control checks.
• Develop analytical models, dashboards and self-service tools that turn finance data into actionable insight for FP&A, Financial Control and the wider Finance function.
• Apply machine learning and AI techniques (e.g. forecasting, anomaly detection, classification, document and text automation) to relevant finance use cases, using established Python libraries and frameworks.
• Work closely with the CTO Data Engineering team on architecture, platform functionality and data availability, ensuring Finance gets the best out of the Bank's data platform and that the right data pipelines are in place; design and build data pipelines directly where needed to support Finance use cases.
• Apply strong software engineering standards, including version control (Git), code review, testing, documentation and CI/CD, to ensure solutions are reliable, scalable and maintainable.
• Ensure all solutions meet the Bank's data governance, security, change management and regulatory control requirements, working closely with Technology, Data and Risk teams.
• Coach and upskill Finance colleagues on Python, data tooling and automation good practice, helping to embed a self-service, insight-led culture across the function.
• Use AI tools (e.g. Claude, LLMs, MCP servers and agentic frameworks) to work smart day-to-day, and integrate AI capabilities into Python solutions and the Bank's Web App / Azure environment to deliver intelligent automation and insight at scale.
• Deploy and operate Python solutions on the Bank's Microsoft Azure platform end-to-end, including CI/CD pipelines, configuration and secrets management, monitoring and logging (e.g. Application Insights), and adherence to Azure security and identity standards

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong commercial Python development experience, including pandas, NumPy and modern tooling
• Practical experience applying machine learning and AI techniques in a business setting, with familiarity across common Python ML/AI libraries and model types
• Hands-on experience using AI tools to accelerate development (e.g. Copilot, LLMs) and integrating AI capabilities into Python applications, including via MCP servers, APIs or agentic frameworks, deployed into the Bank's Web App / Azure environment
• Strong hands-on experience designing, deploying and operating Python solutions on Microsoft Azure, including services such as App Service, Functions, Azure SQL, Data Factory, Key Vault, Entra ID and Azure DevOps (or GitHub Actions) for CI/CD.
• Strong SQL skills with a deep understanding of data, including modelling, structures and quality, and hands-on experience working with relational databases and/or cloud data warehouses (e.g. Snowflake, SQL Server, Postgres, BigQuery).
• Some financial or finance-function experience, with working knowledge of areas such as general ledger, management reporting, reconciliations, budgeting and forecasting, or regulatory reporting.
• Comfortable sitting with business users to elicit requirements, challenge assumptions and shape solutions collaboratively.
• Experience with version control (Git), code review and CI/CD, plus a disciplined approach to testing, documentation, coding standards and governance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to explain technical concepts to non-technical Finance stakeholders and influence at all levels.
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with strong attention to detail, ownership and a continuous-improvement attitude.

Key attributes

• Curious and analytical, naturally questioning how things work today and looking for better ways to do them.
• User-focused, comfortable sitting with Finance colleagues to understand needs and shape solutions together.
• Pragmatic engineer who balances code quality, governance and standards with the need to deliver value quickly in a fast-moving environment.
• Clear communicator, able to present ideas, trade-offs and progress to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ownership mindset, taking end-to-end accountability for solutions from problem definition through to deployment, support and iteration.
• Adaptable and resilient, thriving in an evolving team where priorities, tools and processes are still being shaped.
• Aligned to Shawbrook's values: purpose-led, customer-focused, and committed to combining human expertise with advanced digital, tech and data capabilities.

Desirable

• Statistical analysis skills (e.g. hypothesis testing, regression, time-series analysis) applied to finance or operational data.
• Experience with BI and visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau or similar) and dashboard development.
• Experience with workflow orchestration tools and working with APIs.
• Experience working in Agile delivery teams alongside Technology, Data Engineering or Change functions, including in a regulated financial services environment.

Your Wellbeing - We take your health and well-being very seriously by providing a range of benefits to give you and your family peace of mind. These include:

• Market leading family friendly policies such as access to our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity policies from Day 1 of your employment
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness & meditation digital health app
• Free access to Peppy digital health app that offers personalised support through fertility treatment becoming a parent or menopause
• EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) - Offering you support on a wide range of subjects including financial concerns, mental wellbeing and more general queries around family, work, housing, and health
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme & death in service

Your Lifestyle - It’s important you strike the right balance between your work and personal life. We provide benefits to support you when at work and when you’re enjoying your leisure time.

• Minimum of 27 days holiday per year
• Option to buy or sell holiday days through our flexi-holiday scheme
• Discounts on gym membership nationwide
• Access to discounts on a range of high street and online brands
• Community support and charitable giving

Your Contribution - We’re focused on rewarding those that go the extra mile in helping us achieve our goals.

• Participation in our annual discretionary bonus scheme designed to reward your contribution to our success
• Proudly Shawbrook recognition scheme focused on recognising our role models and thanking our colleagues for a job well done