Senior Data Engineer (Python/SQL) – Visa Sponsorship Available

About the Company

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the UK’s largest public service department, administering state pensions and a range of working age, disability and ill-health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. We are transforming how we deliver public services through data and technology, creating platforms and services that touch the lives of millions. Join us to make a tangible difference using cutting-edge data solutions to inform critical decisions and improve public services across the nation.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Data Engineer with expertise in Python and SQL to join our dynamic data team in Blackpool. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact projects that directly affect the lives of millions across the UK. You will be instrumental in designing, building, and maintaining robust and scalable data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and supporting analytical insights. We offer visa sponsorship for exceptional international candidates eager to contribute their talent to meaningful public service.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize robust ETL/ELT data pipelines using Python and SQL to integrate data from diverse sources.
• Build and maintain data warehousing solutions, ensuring scalability, performance, and data integrity.
• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and other engineering teams to understand data requirements and deliver appropriate data solutions.
• Implement data quality checks, monitoring, and alerting systems to ensure the reliability and accuracy of our data assets.
• Mentor junior data engineers, providing technical guidance and fostering best practices in data engineering.
• Participate in code reviews, contribute to architectural discussions, and drive continuous improvement of our data platform.
• Ensure compliance with data governance, security, and privacy standards.

Required Skills

• Expertise in Python for data manipulation, scripting, and automation.
• Strong proficiency in SQL for complex query writing, database design, and optimization.
• Extensive experience with data warehousing concepts and technologies (e.g., Snowflake, Google BigQuery, AWS Redshift).
• Proven track record of designing, building, and maintaining scalable ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their data services.
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Experience with Apache Spark or other big data processing frameworks.
• Knowledge of data orchestration tools (e.g., Apache Airflow, dbt).
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines for data engineering workflows.
• Experience working in a government or public sector environment.
• Relevant cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics, Azure Data Engineer Associate).

Perks & Benefits

• Generous civil service pension scheme.
• Flexible working options and work-life balance support.
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus public holidays.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• Access to a range of employee benefits, including discounts and wellbeing initiatives.
• Comprehensive visa sponsorship and relocation support for eligible candidates.
• Opportunities for career progression in a large and impactful organisation.

Apply Now