Lead Data Engineer (National Security)

Forwardrole; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Forwardrole is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to shape the technical direction on a high‑visibility National Security programme. You will own complex data platforms, influence architecture and work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C‑level contacts.

The role is hands‑on but focused on delivering strategic outcomes, with ownership around data modelling, pipelines and cloud architectures. You’ll operate in hybrid/secure-site settings with active eDV clearance.

Qualifications

• Senior/Lead/Principal level with genuine ownership and influence.
• Active eDV clearance required.
• Experience shaping solutions and guiding technical direction with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Shape solutions and guide technical direction.
• Work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts.
• Remain hands-on while maintaining influence over architecture and delivery.
• Collaborate across data platforms, pipelines and cloud services.

Skills

Python

AWS

Cloud-native data services

ETL/ELT

Data modelling

Distributed data processing

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Technical design

Solution ownership

Job description

Lead Data Engineer (National Security)

Salary: £80,000-£120,000
Clearance: Active eDV required
Location: Key National Security hubs | Hybrid / secure-site working depending on programme

There comes a point where another pipeline isn’t enough.

You want to shape the technical direction, influence the customer and have a say in what actually gets built.

I’m supporting a specialist Data & Geospatial SME that has recently secured strategically important National Security work ahead of significantly larger competitors - largely on the strength of its technical capability and credibility in the space.

This is a senior role, operating around SFIA 5-6, with genuine ownership.

You won’t be disappearing into a large delivery team. You’ll be expected to shape solutions, guide technical direction and work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts.

What you’ll be working across

• Python
• AWS and cloud-native data services
• Modern data platforms
• ETL / ELT and scalable pipelines
• Data modelling and architecture
• Distributed data processing
• CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code
• Technical design and solution ownership

The role is still hands-on, but the value is in the influence you’ll have around it.

You’ll be close enough to the customer to understand the real problem, senior enough to challenge the approach, and technical enough to help shape the solution properly.

Why it’s worth a look

This should appeal if you want:

• Greater technical ownership
• Direct access to senior customer stakeholders
• More influence over architecture and delivery
• A specialist engineering environment rather than a huge prime
• Strong learning and development
• The chance to work on strategically important National Security programmes

The business is in a genuine growth phase, and this role sits close to that expansion rather than being another hire into an established delivery machine.

Clearance

Active eDV clearance is required for this opportunity due to the nature of the live programme.

If you’re already operating at Senior / Lead / Principal level and want a role where your technical judgement actually carries weight, this is well worth a conversation.