Senior Data Engineer (Data and AI Operations)

Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Alderley Park (Wilmslow)
Working Style: Hybrid - 50% from home / 50% office based

We’re looking for a Senior Data Engineer to join our evolving Data & AI Operations team within our Group Data & AI Office. This is an opportunity to combine hands-on engineering expertise with operational leadership, helping us strengthen the platforms and practices that support data, AI and automation across Royal London.

You’ll play an important role in shaping standards, improving services and supporting emerging capabilities across Data-Ops, AI-Ops and MLOps. Alongside solving complex technical challenges, you’ll help colleagues grow through coaching, mentoring and clear technical direction.

What you’ll do

• Set standards and promote best practice across Data & AI Operations.
• Lead continuous improvement, including optimising long-running data pipelines and operational processes.
• Support DataOps, AIOps and MLOps activities across the team.
• Oversee the operational monitoring and governance of AI solutions, including emerging agentic AI capabilities.
• Support the implementation and ongoing optimisation of Databricks Genie and wider AI tooling.
• Lead service and incident management activities and contribute to change impact forums.
• Support sprint planning and workload management in an Agile environment.
• Coach and mentor junior colleagues and associate-level engineers.

About you

You’ll be an established Senior Data Engineer who is comfortable providing technical leadership, influencing standards and helping to shape a developing operational capability. You’ll also bring:

• Strong experience with SQL, Python and PySpark.
• Experience across on-premises and cloud-based data environments.
• Knowledge of SQL Server technologies and CI/CD best practice.
• Experience of service management and incident management.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments.
• A collaborative approach to coaching, mentoring and supporting others.
• An inquisitive mindset and enthusiasm for emerging AI technologies.

It would be great if you also had

• Experience with Databricks.
• Experience with Azure or AWS.
• Exposure to MLOps or AI Operations.
• Experience with Power Apps or the wider Power Platform.
• Experience in financial services.

At Royal London, you’ll be part of a mutual organisation with a strong, people-focused culture. You’ll have the opportunity to influence the direction of a growing Data & AI Operations capability while working with a modern Microsoft and Databricks technology stack. We’re committed to helping you develop, with opportunities including Databricks certifications, Data Academy learning and protected time for growth. You’ll also gain valuable exposure to AI, AIOps, MLOps and emerging agentic AI capabilities.

If you’re excited by the opportunity but don’t meet every requirement, we’d still encourage you to apply. We value different perspectives and experiences, and we’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute and thrive.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.