Senior Data Engineer
Summary
Senior Data Engineer at the UK Department for Business and Trade (Civil Service): leads the design and delivery of scalable, secure data pipelines and products on AWS using Python, SQL, Airflow, Terraform and Docker, while mentoring junior engineers. Hybrid role across seven UK offices; SC clearance and UK residency required.
- Job grade: Grade 7
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: DBT - CS - Digital, Data and Technology
- Type of role: Administration / Corporate Support, Architecture and Data, Digital, Information Technology, Project Delivery
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
- Number of jobs available: 1
Location
About the job
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
Selection process details
How to apply
As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a two-page CV and complete a 750-word personal statement outlining how you meet the essential skills and experience listed above. You can use bullet points and subheadings if you prefer.
Sift will be from week commencing 30th November 2026
Interviews will be from week commencing 14th December 2026
Please note these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
If there is a high volume of applications, we will sift looking at the lead criteria 'Expert Python and SQL skills: design and build reusable software, performance optimisation, automated testing, and troubleshooting complex production systems' only. You may then be progressed to full sift or straight to interview.
How we interview
At the interview stage for this role, you will be asked to demonstrate relevant Technical Skills and Behaviours from the Success Profiles framework. These are role specific and in line with the DDaT Capability Framework
You will also be asked to undergo an assessment and will be informed on the topic on the day.
How we offer
Offers will be made in merit order based on location preferences. If you pass the bar at interview but are not the highest scoring you will be held on a 12-month reserve list in case a role becomes available. If you are judged a near miss at interview, you may be offered a post at the grade below the one you applied for.
This role requires SC clearance. BIST's requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your application being rejected and your offer will be withdrawn.
Checks will also be made against:
- departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- security services record
- location details
More about us
This role can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas. If you are based in London, you will receive London weighting. BIST employees work in a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office on average. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by BIST, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
You can find out more about our office locations, how we calculate salaries, our diversity statement and reasonable adjustments, the Recruitment Principles, the Civil Service code and our complaints procedure in the candidate pack attached to this advert.
Find out more about life at BIST, our benefits and meet the team by watching our video or reading our blog!
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : DDaT Recruitment
- Email : Ddat.recruitment@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : Ddat.recruitment@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| DDaT Candidate Pack (BIST) Opens in new window (pdf, 569kB) |
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