Data Engineer

GradBay; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

We aim to help students realise their potential in the world of work through technology, content and tools. That’s not an easy thing.

We believe in understanding students and partnering with employers, universities, schools and other technology providers.

It’s about students finding the right role and employers finding the most suitable candidates. But its more than that – it’s about helping young people discover options, develop and build confidence.

Mission:

As a key member of the Data Team, you will drive the evolution of our data infrastructure, ensuring that teams across the business have access to accurate, actionable insights. You will work cross-functionally to shape data strategy, optimise pipelines, and enable predictive analytics. A particular focus will be on strengthening the data foundations of our product suite and customer-facing analytics, helping move from descriptive to proactive and prescriptive insights.

Role Outcomes:

We have a coherent data strategy and are delivering against it:

1. Define and implement a clear data strategy that aligns with business priorities and product development.
2. Ensure data governance principles are in place, maintaining accuracy, security, and compliance.
3. Establish scalable data models that support both operational and strategic decision-making, with awareness of emerging AI/ML opportunities.

We have efficient, scalable data infrastructure that supports analytics and automation:

1. Design and optimize data pipelines, ensuring high availability and performance.
2. Eliminate data silos by integrating sources across our platforms for a unified view.
3. Drive automation in data workflows to reduce manual effort and improve reliability.

Stakeholders across the business have access to the insights they need to make informed decisions:

1. Develop self-serve analytics capabilities through dashboards and reporting tools.
2. Proactively identify and surface insights that improve business performance, including AI-enhanced analytics where beneficial.
3. Enable leadership and operational teams to leverage data effectively in decision-making.

Our cross-platform tracking is robust and enables accurate measurement of user behaviour:

1. Implement best practices for attribution, funnel analysis, and performance monitoring.
2. Maintain alignment with industry standards for behavioural tracking and analytics.

We foster strong collaboration between Data, Tech, Product, and Commercial teams:

1. Act as a trusted advisor, translating business needs into technical solutions.
2. Communicate complex data concepts in a clear and actionable way.
3. Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive data-driven decision-making.

Person Specification:

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who enjoys solving complex problems and enabling data-driven decision-making. You will be working with a wide range of stakeholders, from technical teams to senior leadership, requiring strong communication and problem-solving skills.

1. Strong analytical mindset with the ability to design and implement scalable data solutions
2. Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to translate technical concepts into business value
3. Proactive and adaptable, with a strong ability to work independently and drive initiatives forward
4. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and balancing strategic goals with hands-on execution

Work Experience, Knowledge & Skills:

This role sits at the intersection of data strategy, analytics, and infrastructure. While deep technical expertise is not a prerequisite, a solid foundation in data technologies is required.

1. SQL & Data Modelling: Strong experience with relational databases (e.g., MySQL, Redshift, PostgreSQL)
2. Python for Data Processing: Experience in Python for automation, ETL, and analytics
3. AWS & Cloud Data Technologies: Familiarity with AWS services such as S3, Redshift, Athena, and Lambda is highly beneficial
4. BI & Reporting Tools: Understanding of BI/MI platforms (e.g., Looker, Power BI, Tableau)
5. Version Control & Engineering Best Practices: Experience with Git and collaborative coding workflows is beneficial
6. Web & Behavioural Analytics: Familiarity with tracking tools like Google Analytics, Matomo, or server-side event tracking

Other Information:

1. Permanent role – 37.5 hours per week between Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.30pm
2. 3-month probationary period
3. Benefits package: 5% Contributory Pension, initial 25 day’s holiday, enhanced maternity/paternity policies, life assurance scheme, Cycle to Work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, virtual GP and healthcare service