Data Engineer

Nova Systems; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading systems engineering firm in the UK seeks a Data Engineer to design and implement data-driven solutions for the Ministry of Defence. This role involves developing and maintaining ETL processes, collaborating with software engineers, and ensuring data quality. Candidates should have programming experience in Python, knowledge of data engineering principles, and strong SQL skills. Flexible working arrangements are offered, with a competitive benefits package including a professional development allowance and comprehensive medical benefits.

Benefits

Matched pension

Annual Professional Development Allowance up to £3000

25 days Annual Leave + public holidays

Enhanced Family Friendly Leave

Private Medical Insurance

Life Insurance

Flexible and Hybrid working

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Programming knowledge in Python is essential.
• Understanding of data lifecycle management is required.
• SQL ORM proficiency needed for dataset analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain data pipelines for ETL processes.
• Support automation of data workflows for analysis.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate data flows.

Skills

Programming experience in Python

Knowledge of data engineering principles and data lifecycle management

Proficiency with SQL ORM

Ability to perform data analysis and visualisation

Experience with ETL processes

Familiarity with data orchestration

Ability to develop in offline environments

Job description

Nova Systems plays a vital role in modelling and simulation space by delivering advanced systems engineering and digital technology solutions that help governments and industries make critical decisions. Our work supports mission readiness, system optimisation, and scenario planning across defence, aerospace, and essential services. Future employees can expect to work on cutting‑edge challenges that directly impact national safety and global stability, within a collaborative, values‑driven culture.

Our Vision - Smart people. Solving complex challenges. Making our world safe and secure.

The Role - Data Engineer

As a Data Engineer in the Modelling & Simulation (M&S) domain, you will help design and build data‑driven solutions that underpin experimentation and capability assessment for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). You’ll work closely with software engineers, analysts, and domain experts to collect, transform, and analyse simulation data enabling insight generation and informed decision‑making.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to grow your technical expertise in data engineering, analytics, and defence experimentation while contributing to meaningful projects.

Location - This role will primarily be based on the client site in Farnborough, Hampshire for 2-3 days a week.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and maintain data pipelines to Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) simulation data for analysis and reporting.
• Support the design and automation of data workflows for experimentation and analysis.
• Assist in developing data models and analytical tools to support MOD and related M&S projects.
• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate data flows between simulation and analytical environments.
• Conduct data quality checks, validation, and pre-processing of simulation outputs.
• Contribute to experiment design, execution, and results interpretation.

Essential Experience and Requirements

• Programming experience in Python
• Knowledge of data engineering principles and data lifecycle management.
• Proficiency with SQL ORM for querying, joining, and analysing datasets.
• Ability to perform data analysis, mathematical computation, and visualisation.
• Experience or interest in data pipelines, Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) processes, and automation.
• Familiarity with data orchestration, workflow design, or scripting automation.
• Ability to develop in an offline environment.

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to Defence Experimentation or simulation‑based studies.
• Awareness of Air or Maritime domain systems.

Security Requirements

• UK Citizenship (we can not accept dual citizenship due to the nature of the work)
• Ability to achieve Security Clearance (SC)

Why Join Us

At Nova Systems, you’ll be part of a mission‑driven team that values innovation, trust, and collaboration. We offer a supportive environment for learning and development, backed by our professional development allowance, mentoring, and opportunities to work on impactful UK and global defence projects.

Benefits & Perks

• matched pension
• Up to £1500-3000 Annual Professional Development Allowance
• 5 days Development Leave
• 25 days Annual Leave + UK Public Holidays
• Enhanced Family Friendly Leave
• Reservist Leave
• Loyalty Leave
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Upto 6 Weeks Sick Pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Reward & Recognition Programme
• Discounts and more
• Flexible and Hybrid working
• Free Parking

Location

We support any client / onsite workdays with travel expenses and accommodation when required, this supports you being based anywhere in the UK if you are happy to commute for those days where the team collaborates onsite. This is typically 2-3 days a week with the rest being home or office based. We do try our best to ensure we can be as flexible as possible and offer work from home options to balance the days, however due to the sensitive nature of some of our projects, then onsite is necessary. The client site is located at Hampshire, which is where the work will be based.

Interview Process

• MS Teams Screen call with Talent Partner
• MS Teams Interview with Hiring Manager / Snr Team Member
• Final interview / meet the team - In Person at one of our Offices

May include pre briefed case study / research presentation.

Right to work documents / UK Passport must be provided at this stage if not before.

We are committed to increasing diversity of staff within Nova Systems International and within the aerospace and engineering sector. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the role description, and we are committed to equal opportunity, equal treatment, and respect for every individual.

We recognize the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business.

We offer, and value, flexible working and we are also proud to be committed to mental health awareness and to actively support the wellbeing of our team.