Lead Data Engineer — National Security (Hybrid, eDV)

Forward Role; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Role is seeking a Lead Data Engineer for National Security programmes based in Cheltenham with hybrid working and an active eDV clearance. The role combines hands-on delivery with shaping technical direction and direct engagement with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts.

You will own data platforms, design scalable pipelines, and drive modern data architectures using Python and AWS, with CI/CD and IaC underpinning delivery.

Qualifications

• Senior level (SFIA 5–6) with genuine ownership
• Active eDV clearance required
• Direct interaction with senior customer stakeholders/C-levels

Responsibilities

• Shape solutions and guide technical direction
• Work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts
• Own data platform design, architecture and pipelines
• Champion modern data practices (ETL/ELT, cloud-native services) and CI/CD
• Collaborate across teams to deliver secure, scalable data solutions

Skills

Python

AWS

Data modelling

ETL/ELT

Data architecture

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Technical design

Job description

Forward Role is seeking a Lead Data Engineer for National Security programmes based in Cheltenham with hybrid working and an active eDV clearance. The role combines hands-on delivery with shaping technical direction and direct engagement with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts.

You will own data platforms, design scalable pipelines, and drive modern data architectures using Python and AWS, with CI/CD and IaC underpinning delivery.