Data Engineer

Halfords Careers; Redditch; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual discretionary bonus

Pension

Life assurance

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced family leave

Employee discounts

Wellbeing and inclusion programs

Job summary

Halfords is seeking a Data Engineer to join our Data & Analytics team. You will design, build and improve data pipelines and integrations powering reporting and decision-making across the business.

You will work with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, SQL, Python and Spark on scalable cloud-based platforms, delivering robust data solutions and supporting data modelling and data quality initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience building and maintaining data pipelines, integrations, and data products.
• Hands-on experience with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, SQL, Python and Spark.
• Experience developing and supporting ETL processes with focus on performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Good understanding of data modelling, data integration patterns, and data architecture principles.
• Experience analysing source systems, profiling data, and troubleshooting data quality or performance issues.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a desire to continuously improve processes, tools, and ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines and integrations that connect operational systems to analytics and reporting platforms
• Develop, test, and optimise ETL processes using modern cloud‑based technologies and engineering best practices
• Transform manual and time‑consuming reporting processes into scalable, automated data solutions
• Produce and maintain clear documentation, including source‑to‑target mappings, data lineage, and technical specifications
• Support the development of reusable datasets and BI‑ready data products that enable trusted and consistent reporting
• Investigate data issues, performance bottlenecks, and data quality concerns, implementing improvements and preventative measures
• Work collaboratively with architects, analysts, and business stakeholders to ensure solutions meet both technical and business requirements

Skills

Azure Data Factory

Databricks

SQL

Python

Spark

Job description

Halfords is on a journey - building the future of motoring and cycling and looking for people who want to help shape what comes next. We’re a place for cocreators: people who want to make a real impact, take ownership and be part of something that’s still evolving.

Technology at Halfords is at a turning point. We’re modernising our foundations, sharpening our delivery, and ensuring every technology decision is connected to real commercial and customer outcomes.

We're looking for people who act as trusted advisors to the business, take end-to-end accountability for outcomes, and can balance pace with long‑term architectural integrity. Innovation here means practical, scalable solutions, not ideas that stay on whiteboards.

Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.

About the role

As a Data Engineer within our Data & Analytics team, you'll play a key role in building and improving the data products, pipelines, and integrations that power reporting, analytics, and decision‑making across Halfords. Working with modern cloud‑based technologies, you'll help ensure trusted, high‑quality data is readily available to stakeholders across the business.

You'll be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining scalable data pipelines that connect operational systems to our analytics platforms. From automating manual processes and improving data quality to supporting data modelling, transformation, and reporting requirements, you'll work closely with the team to deliver robust and reusable data solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing data function as we continue to invest heavily in our data platform and capabilities. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of technologies, while contributing to large‑scale transformation programmes that are helping shape the future of data at Halfords. If you enjoy solving complex data challenges and seeing your work directly enable better business decisions, this role offers plenty of scope to learn, grow, and make an impact.

Key responsibilities

• Build and maintain data pipelines and integrations that connect operational systems to analytics and reporting platforms
• Develop, test, and optimise ETL processes using modern cloud‑based technologies and engineering best practices
• Transform manual and time‑consuming reporting processes into scalable, automated data solutions
• Produce and maintain clear documentation, including source‑to‑target mappings, data lineage, and technical specifications
• Support the development of reusable datasets and BI‑ready data products that enable trusted and consistent reporting
• Investigate data issues, performance bottlenecks, and data quality concerns, implementing improvements and preventative measures
• Work collaboratively with architects, analysts, and business stakeholders to ensure solutions meet both technical and business requirements

About you

• Proven experience building and maintaining data pipelines, integrations, and data products within a modern data environment
• Strong hands‑on experience with Azure Data Factory, Databricks, SQL, Python, and Spark
• Experience developing and supporting ETL processes, with a focus on performance, reliability, and scalability
• Good understanding of data modelling, data integration patterns, and data architecture principles
• Experience analysing source systems, profiling data, and troubleshooting data quality or performance issues
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical stakeholders
• A proactive and collaborative approach, with a desire to continuously improve processes, tools, and ways of working

Reward & benefits

• A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, car allowance, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and enhanced family leave.
• Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations.
• We offer hybrid working with a blend of working in our Support Centre and from home.
• You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services.
• Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.

At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues.

We're an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family.

Note: Halfords operates a hybrid working policy – this position will be based 3 days per week at our support centre in Redditch, West Midlands.