Data Engineer

Cognizant; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Data Engineer for a pivotal UK government data transformation programme. You will design, build, and operationalise a cloud-native data lakehouse on Microsoft Azure Fabric, with emphasis on data pipelines, governance and scalable delivery.

You will work in agile squads with architects, analysts and DevOps engineers, delivering across private/public beta stages and full platform operationalisation. SC clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in computer science or data engineering.
• Proven experience with Azure Fabric and Azure Data Factory for data pipelines.
• Strong PySpark, SQL and Python skills for large-scale data transformation.
• Hands-on with Delta Lake and OneLake architecture.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Purview for data governance and lineage.
• Experience with Azure DevOps, Git and CI/CD pipelines.
• Understanding of medallion (Bronze/Silver/Gold) lakehouse architecture.
• Familiarity with ADLS Gen2 / Azure Blob Storage.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise data pipelines and lakehouse infrastructure.
• Develop Bronze/Silver/Gold layers using Fabric, OneLake and Delta Lake.
• Implement data transformation with PySpark, SQL and Fabric Notebooks.
• Ensure data quality, lineage and cataloguing via Purview.
• Collaborate with Architects and DevOps for CI/CD and IaC.
• Contribute to knowledge transfer, workshops and documentation.
• Support governance reviews and security controls.

Skills

Azure Fabric

Azure Data Factory

PySpark

SQL

Python

Delta Lake

OneLake

Purview

CI/CD

Education

Relevant degree in Computer Science or Data Engineering

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) – desirable

Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer (DP-600) – desirable

Tools

Databricks

Job description

• This is a pivotal engineering role at the heart of one of the most significant data transformation programmes in UK government. You will be joining a strategic engagement programme to design, build, and operationalise a cloud-native data lakehouse on Microsoft Azure Fabric.
• This is with the UK's largest public service department, serving over 22 million citizens, and this platform will directly underpin data-driven decision-making at national scale.
• You will take a leading role in the design and delivery of data pipelines, data transformation layers, and lakehouse infrastructure using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, and related Azure-native technologies.
• You will work in agile squads alongside architects, analysts, and DevOps engineers, contributing to private beta builds, public beta expansion, and full platform operationalisation.

Role: Data Engineer

Full-time

Hybrid: Leeds/London/Sheffield

SC clearance is required for this role

Job Summary

• This is a pivotal engineering role at the heart of one of the most significant data transformation programmes in UK government. You will be joining a strategic engagement programme to design, build, and operationalise a cloud-native data lakehouse on Microsoft Azure Fabric.
• This is with the UK's largest public service department, serving over 22 million citizens, and this platform will directly undermine data-driven decision-making at national scale.
• You will take a leading role in the design and delivery of data pipelines, data transformation layers, and lakehouse infrastructure using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, and related Azure-native technologies.
• You will work in agile squads alongside architects, analysts, and DevOps engineers, contributing to private beta builds, public beta expansion, and full platform operationalisation.

Key responsibilities

• Design, build, and optimise data pipelines using Microsoft Fabric (Data Factory, Dataflows Gen2) and Azure Data Factory to ingest data from legacy systems and third-party sources.
• Develop and maintain the Bronze, Silver, and Gold layers of the lakehouse architecture using OneLake, Delta Lake, and Apache Spark within Fabric.
• Implement data transformation logic using PySpark, SQL, and Fabric Notebooks; ensure data quality, lineage, and cataloguing via Microsoft Purview.
• Collaborate with Technical Architects and Infrastructure Engineers to support CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure-as-code, and platform automation
• Contribute to knowledge transfer workshops, running instructions, and documentation to build internal capability.
• Support governance compliance including Digital Design Authority reviews, Red Lines Assessments, and security controls.

Essential Requirements

• Strong experience with Microsoft Azure Fabric (Lakehouses, Data Pipelines, Dataflows Gen2, Fabric Notebooks)
• Strong experience with Azure Data Factory (ADF) for orchestration and data movement
• Strong proficiency in PySpark, SQL, and Python for large-scale data transformation
• Strong experience with Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and OneLake architecture
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Purview for data governance, cataloguing, and lineage
• Good experience with Azure DevOps, Git-based version control, and CI/CD pipelines
• Good understanding of data lakehouse architecture (medallion architecture – Bronze/Silver/Gold)
• Good knowledge of Azure storage services (ADLS Gen2, Azure Blob Storage)

Nice to have skills

• Experience with Azure Synapse Analytics or migration from Synapse to Fabric
• Familiarity with Databricks or equivalent distributed processing platforms
• Experience in UK public sector or government data environments
• Understanding of SC clearance requirements and government security classifications
• Knowledge of DDAT frameworks and GDS delivery standards

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) – desirable
• Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer (DP-600) – desirable