Data Engineer

Nationalarchives; Greater London; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Archives in the United Kingdom is seeking a Data Engineer to join the small, dynamic Digital Archiving team. You will help transform how archival data is managed, structured, and enriched, unlocking its value for public use and discovery.

The role focuses on building scalable data pipelines using Python, SQL, and a range of data formats. It is a permanent, full-time position offering a salary of approximately £45,000 per year with opportunities to grow as digital archiving advances.

Qualifications

• Design and implement scalable data pipelines and ETL/ELT workflows.
• Experience with modern data architectures and databases.
• Interest in digital archiving and public data access.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable, repeatable data pipelines (ETL/ELT) to transform archival data.
• Collaborate with the Digital Archiving team to enrich and integrate archival data for public use.

Tools

Python

SQL

Shell scripting

Talend

XSLT

XML

CSV

JSON

RDF

RDBMS

NoSQL

Graph databases

Job description

As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is a special place to work. We’re an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history.

We’ve set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won’t become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.

That’s where you come in. Because we can’t do this without you.

Job Overview

Salary: £45,000 per annum (£43,367 salary + £1633 market supplement)

Contract type: Permanent

Band: E / Higher Executive Officer

Closing date: Wednesday 14th October 2026 at midnight

Shape the Future of the Nation’s Memory

At The National Archives, we are more than custodians of the past – we are pioneers in digital archiving, ensuring the UK’s public records are robust, connected, and accessible for generations to come. As a Data Engineer in our small, dynamic Digital Archiving team, you’ll help transform how archival data is managed, structured, and enriched, unlocking its value for public use and discovery

Why Join Us?

• Your work will directly support the preservation and accessibility of the UK’s documentary heritage, including a new Parliamentary Archives project.
• We nurture talent, value every voice, and support personal and professional development. You’ll join a collaborative, forward-looking team where your ideas are heard and your growth is championed.
• Work with a modern tech stack including Python, SQL, Shell scripting, Talend, XSLT, XML, CSV, JSON, RDF, RDBMS, NoSQL, and graph databases. You’ll help design and build scalable data pipelines, automate data processing, and develop tools for data enrichment and integration
• We invest in your learning, offering opportunities to develop your skills in emerging technologies and data practices that enhance public access to archives.

This Job Would Suit…

If you’ve been working in an entry-level data role and are ready to take the next step, this is an ideal opportunity to grow your skills and responsibilities. We welcome those who are passionate about data, eager to learn, and keen to make a real impact. Data skills are highly valued at The National Archives, and you’ll be part of an active internal data community where specialists from across the organisation share knowledge, collaborate, and solve problems together.

What You’ll Do

• Design and develop scalable, repeatable data pipelines (ETL/ELT) to