Senior Data Engineer
About The Role
Hippo is a rapidly growing digital consultancy passionate about building and delivering transformative digital solutions for a diverse range of Public and Private sector clients. We are recruiting for a Senior Data Engineer to join our Hippo Herd. We work at the intersection of strategy, design, and technology to solve complex problems and create lasting value.
As a Senior Data Engineer, you will play an important role in making Hippo the best consultancy out there. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team combining data, design, product, delivery, analysis and engineering to deliver bespoke digital services that make a positive and meaningful impact on organisations and society.
Your Role in a Nutshell
- Lead the production of user‑centred data software based on business requirements and best practice.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to explore, design and deliver innovative solutions to complex client problems.
- Maintain and grow client relationships, troubleshooting complex issues through collaboration.
- Design and manage software development and deployment pipelines, resolving potential bottlenecks before they occur.
- Communicate and present prototypes, solutions, and progress to internal and external stakeholders in a clear, concise manner.
- Build great relationships with your team and stakeholders, ensuring that systemic challenges are overcome.
- Mentor and coach other engineers to support their professional development.
- Promote Hippo’s Data Herd internally and externally through blogs, case studies, and workshops.
About the Candidate
We are looking for a highly experienced practitioner who can lead the delivery of complex data systems, ensure technical excellence and mentor others to maintain high standards.
Essential Experience
- Excellent experience delivering in Python and experience with at least one other core language.
- Strong expertise in SQL and relational databases.
- Solid experience with Cloud providers such as AWS, Azure or GCP.
- Solid experience working with Snowflake and dbt.
- Strong experience working with different data formats, e.g., CSV, JSON, and XML.
- Expert knowledge in building reliable and scalable data pipelines.
- Deep experience working in an Agile environment.
- Proficiency in test‑driven development or behaviour‑driven development.
- Strong experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment.
- Experience mentoring and coaching others on technical best practices.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience of working on GOV/NHS projects or in a consultancy environment.
- Experience in data modelling.
- Broader knowledge of IT – e.g., security and networking.
About The Company
Alongside working with some of the most talented people out there and a competitive salary, you can also expect a range of benefits.
- Contributory pension scheme (Hippo 6% & employee 2%)
- 25 days holiday plus UK public holidays
- Perkbox access for a wide range of discounts
- Critical illness cover
- Life assurance and death in service cover
- Volunteer days
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme for avid cyclists
- Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme
- Season ticket loans
- Financial and general wellbeing sessions
- Flexible benefits scheme with options of private health cover, private dental cover, additional company pension contributions, additional holidays (up to an extra 2 days), wellbeing contribution, charity contributions, and tree planting.
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Hippo
We’re dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that works for everyone. We actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups including women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and people with disabilities. We are a registered Disability Confident Employer, Mindful Employer, Endometriosis Friendly Employer and a member of the Armed Forces Covenant. Hippo continually strives to remove barriers and provide reasonable adjustments to ensure equity throughout our practices.
Hi, we’re Hippo
At Hippo, we design with empathy and build for impact, combining data‑informed evidence, human‑centred design and software engineering. We are a digital services partner who is genuinely invested in helping our clients thrive as modern organisations. Our delivery methodology is truly agile, from concept to reality, supporting innovation and continuous improvement to achieve desired outcomes.
Hippo Locations
We are headquartered in Leeds and have offices across the UK in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Bristol. Candidates should be located within reasonable travelling distance from one of our offices. Given the dynamic nature of our consulting work, you may be required to work on‑site at a Hippo office or at a client location for a number of days per week (client dependent), and be open to travelling at least two days per week. We offer a generous relocation support package of up to £8,000 to help make your move smooth.