Lead Data Engineer

Searchability; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A national security solutions provider is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to develop mission-critical data solutions in Gloucester. This role requires expertise in data pipelines and ETL processing, with a focus on security. Candidates must have active DV clearance and be willing to work on-site. Competitive salary and benefits are offered, including a bonus and generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

6% bonus

25 days holiday

Qualifications

• Must hold active Enhanced DV Clearance (West).
• Willingness to work full-time on-site in Gloucester when required.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain data pipelines for National Security clients.
• Develop data-streaming and ETL solutions.
• Ensure data quality, consistency, and security.

Skills

Data pipelines

ETL processing

Data integration

Team leadership

Apache Kafka

Apache NiFi

SQL

NoSQL

Python

Groovy

Job description

• Gloucester location – hybrid working when possible
• Must hold active Enhanced DV Clearance (West)
• Competitive Salary DOE - 6% bonus, 25 days holiday, clearance bonus
• Experience in Data Pipelines, ETL processing, Data Integration, Apache, SQL/NoSQL, Team Leadership

Who Are We?

Our client is a trusted and growing supplier to the National Security sector, delivering mission-critical solutions that help keep the nation safe, secure, and prosperous. You’ll work with cutting-edge technologies, including AI/Data Science, Cyber, Cloud, DevOps/SRE, and Platform Engineering. They have long-term contracts secured across the latest customer framework and are set for significant growth.

What will the Lead Data Engineer be Doing?

You will develop mission-critical data solutions for National Security clients, working with cutting-edge technologies such as AI/DS, Cyber, Cloud, DevOps/SRE, and Platform Engineering. You'll collaborate directly with customers across National Security, Defence, and Intelligence to solve complex, high-stakes challenges. The role involves designing and implementing sophisticated data pipelines to connect operational systems with analytics and business intelligence platforms.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, build, and maintain data pipelines, including ingestion, orchestration, and enrichment
• Develop data-streaming and ETL solutions (e.g. NiFi)
• Model databases and integrate data from diverse sources
• Ensure data quality, consistency, and security
• Monitor and optimise system performance
• Write clean, secure, reusable, test-driven code
• Apply systems integration expertise within agile teams
• Decompose user needs into epics and stories
• Promote reuse of data flows and best practices across teams
• Champion data engineering standards across government

The Lead Data Engineer Should Have:

• Active eDV clearance (West)
• Willingness to work full-time on-site in Gloucester when required.

Required experience in the following:

• Apache Kafka
• Apache NiFI
• SQL and NoSQL databases (e.g. MongoDB)
• ETL processing languages such as Groovy, Python or Java
• Understand and interpret technical and business stakeholder needs
• Manage expectations through clear, proactive communication
• Lead and support challenging conversations with teams and senior stakeholders

To be Considered:

Please either apply by clicking online or emailing me directly to [e-mail]. For further information please call me on 0161 416 6800 / 07719065951 - I can make myself available outside of normal working hours to suit from 7am until 10pm. If unavailable, please leave a message and either myself or one of my colleagues will respond. By applying for this role, you give express consent for us to process & submit (subject to required skills) your application to our client in conjunction with this vacancy only. Also feel free to follow me on Twitter @SearchableHenry or connect with me on LinkedIn, just search Henry Clay-Davies (searchability). I look forward to hearing from you.

KEY SKILLS:

DATA ENGINEER / DATA ENGINEERING / DEFENCE / NATIONAL SECURITY / DATA STRATEGY / DATA PIPELINES / DATA GOVERNANCE / SQL / NOSQL / APACHE / NIFI / KAFKA / ETL / GLOUCESTER / DV / SECURITY CLEARED / DV CLEARANCE