Principal Data Engineer

Overview

We are recruiting a Principal Data Engineer to set the technical direction for our enterprise data platform and raise the bar for modern, trusted, high‑quality data across Skipton.

Key Responsibilities

• Define enterprise‑wide data engineering standards, principles, and Golden Path patterns.
• Lead greenfield data platform implementations where no existing pattern exists, establishing reference architectures and engineering standards through delivery.
• Set the technical direction for cloud native, secure‑by‑design data platforms.
• Improve data quality, freshness, lineage, observability, and operational resilience.
• Shape and deliver multi‑year data platform and modernisation roadmaps.
• Line‑manage, coach, and develop Data Engineers and future technical leaders.
• Evaluate data initiatives across data science, analytics, and reporting to determine the most appropriate platform strategy.

Qualifications

• Deep, hands‑on expertise in modern data engineering, such as lakehouse platforms, cloud data architectures, ingestion frameworks, and data modelling with clear understanding of architectural trade‑offs.
• Proven experience establishing reusable data standards, patterns, and frameworks through greenfield implementations, with adoption driven through delivery rather than documentation alone.
• Strong knowledge of data governance, security, lineage, metadata, and observability, including how to embed these concerns into platform design rather than layering them on afterwards.
• Experience improving data quality, reliability, or delivery speed at enterprise scale.
• Demonstrated people‑leadership experience, including coaching and developing engineers into senior‑level technical leaders.
• The confidence to provide technical direction, challenge ambiguous problems, and make high‑impact decisions.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus scheme.
• 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days.
• Holiday trading scheme allowing ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days.
• Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum).
• Colleague mortgage (conditions apply).
• Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car.
• Commitment to training and development.
• Private medical insurance for all colleagues.
• 3 paid volunteering days per annum.
• Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including Carers and Pride Alliance groups.
• Cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership.

Hours & Location

35 hours per week, Hybrid (3 days in office).

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