Principal Data Engineer

Salary: £38,000 - 78,000 per year

• We have proven experience designing large-scale data platforms and Databricks infrastructure.
• We have a strong understanding of Databricks internals, including cost and performance optimisation.
• We have advanced Python skills and software development best practices, including testing, abstraction, and modularity.
• We are familiar with modern data architecture, such as Lakehouse, domain-driven design, and data contracts.
• We have experience owning and driving platform-level technical roadmaps.
• We actively engage with new technologies and the wider data engineering community.
• We have excellent collaboration and communication skills.
• We have strong organisational and time management skills.
• We bring a proactive, self-starting mindset with a focus on delivery and ownership.

• We design and implement secure, high-performance Databricks environments, including cluster setup, governance, and tuning.
• We define and own the technical roadmap for our data platform.
• We ensure systems meet standards for performance, security, maintainability, and reliability.
• We drive progress toward Service Level Objectives (SLOs).
• We collaborate with technical leads and architects to shape data solutions that meet product and business needs.
• We support cross-functional teams in removing technical blockers and enabling delivery.
• We maintain clear, high-quality technical documentation for data and BI systems.
• We act as a visible, collaborative technical voice within the business.
• We contribute to estimation and technical planning.
• We align all solutions with the wider technical strategy.
• We work with Solution Architects and Analysts to design scalable, forward-thinking solutions.
• We apply architectural principles such as domain modelling and modular design.
• We collaborate with team leads to guide delivery and implementation.
• We provide hands-on support through code reviews, prototyping, and pair programming.
• We support incident response efforts and assist with resolving critical technical issues.
• We rapidly gain deep knowledge of internal BI tools and systems.
• We create and maintain technical documentation, including integration guides and data contracts.
• We support onboarding and knowledge transfer across teams.
• We stay current with modern best practices in data engineering and architecture.

• Databricks
• Support
• Python
• Security

More:

We are a forward-thinking tech organisation seeking a Principal Data Engineer to lead the evolution of our next-generation data platform. This is a senior technical leadership role at the intersection of architecture, platform design, and long-term data strategy. You will report to the Head of Data and act as a key technical authority, owning architectural decisions, defining roadmaps, and ensuring our data platform is secure, scalable, and aligned with broader business goals. We offer a hands-on role working closely with engineers, architects, and stakeholders. The position is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, with a salary of 70,000 to 90,000. This is a permanent role in the Data sector.

last updated 36 week of 2026