Data Engineer

Forward Role; Blandford Forum; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Healthcare

Flexible working

Job summary

Forward Role is recruiting a Data Engineer for Defence and National Security projects in Blandford, Dorset (2-3 days on-site). You will design and deliver secure, scalable data pipelines using Snowflake, Databricks, Python and SQL to support MOD programmes.

You’ll improve data quality and governance, model data for analytics, and work with AWS/Azure cloud platforms. A high-level UK security clearance is required; British citizenship and five years’ residence are essential.

Qualifications

• Must have strong commercial data engineering experience and hands-on Snowflake/Databricks.
• Must have Python and SQL skills with ETL development and data modelling.
• Experience with cloud-based data platforms and data governance.
• Nice to have Airflow, Spark, AWS/Azure and data visualisation in Defence or secure Government environments.

Responsibilities

• Designing and delivering scalable ETL pipelines for complex datasets.
• Building data solutions using Snowflake, Databricks, Python and SQL.
• Developing data models to support analytics and operational decision-making.
• Working with cloud platforms including AWS and Azure.
• Improving data quality, governance, integration and performance.
• Supporting technical decisions and data engineering best practices.

Skills

Snowflake

Databricks

Python

SQL

ETL

Data modelling

Data governance

Cloud platforms

Tools

Airflow

Spark

Job description

Good data engineering isn't just about moving data. It's about making it reliable, accessible and valuable when it matters most.

Data Engineer - Defence & National Security

Location: Blandford, Dorset (2-3 days on-site)
Salary: £50,000-£75,000 per annum
Clearance: Must be eligible for high-level UK Government security clearance
Level: Mid/Senior

A specialist technology consultancy working across Defence and National Security is looking for an experienced Data Engineer to design and deliver secure, scalable data solutions supporting critical MOD programmes.

You'll work closely with technical teams and customers, building robust data pipelines, improving data quality and helping shape how complex data is managed and used.

What you'll be working on

• Designing and developing scalable ETL pipelines for complex datasets

• Building data solutions using Snowflake, Databricks, Python and SQL

• Developing data models to support analytics and operational decision-making

• Working with cloud platforms, including AWS and Azure

• Improving data quality, governance, integration and performance

• Supporting technical decisions and data engineering best practices

Why it's worth a look

• Work on meaningful MOD programmes with genuine technical challenges

• Influence data architecture, tooling and engineering standards

• Flexible working, professional development, pension, healthcare and a collaborative engineering culture

Must have: Strong commercial data engineering experience, hands-on Snowflake and Databricks, Python and SQL, ETL development and data modelling. Experience with cloud-based data platforms and data governance.

Nice to have: Apache Airflow, Spark, AWS/Azure, data visualisation and experience delivering solutions within Defence or secure Government environments.

Clearance: Due to the sensitive nature of the projects, candidates must be British citizens, have lived permanently in the UK for the last five years and be eligible to obtain high-level UK Government security clearance.