Lead Data Platform Engineer

The Guardian; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Lead Data Platform Engineer to spearhead data engineering initiatives. This role involves leading the development of a robust data ecosystem, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like Google Cloud Platform and BigQuery. You'll mentor a talented team while collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance data-driven decision-making across the organization. The company fosters a diverse and inclusive environment, offering excellent career development opportunities and a commitment to employee wellbeing. If you're passionate about leveraging data to drive performance and enjoy a collaborative atmosphere, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Private healthcare

Life cover

Income protection

Dental insurance

Volunteering days

Corporate gym membership

Cycle to work scheme

Free yoga and pilates classes

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior/lead role as a Data Platform Engineer.
• Deep knowledge of cloud infrastructure and analytics platforms.
• Ability to mentor and coach engineers within the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the data engineering and GCP cloud engineering practice.
• Build and maintain the data ecosystem on Google Cloud Platform.
• Champion best practices for cloud and data engineering.

Skills

Data Engineering

Cloud Infrastructure

GCP (Google Cloud Platform)

BigQuery

Python

Airflow

DBT

CI/CD

Terraform

Site Reliability

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Google Cloud Platform

Airflow

BigQuery

Kubernetes

Terraform

Fivertan

Tableau

Alation

Job description

Join our team at the Guardian and be a part of a diverse and inclusive global organisation that delivers fearless, investigative journalism, and holds power to account. Our team of award-winning journalists, cutting-edge commercial professionals, and industry-leading digital experts are committed to making a difference and represent a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. We offer a challenging and exciting environment for career development, with a focus on training, growth and fostering an inclusive culture.

We’re now looking for a Lead Data Platform Engineer. The Data Platform team designs, implements and maintains the core data technology infrastructure driving the ecosystem that enables the business to make smarter decisions with data. Our primary technology is Google Cloud Platform supported by Airflow and dbt.

As technical lead on the team you’ll be working closely with architects, product managers and stakeholders, helping to provide technical knowledge to support the team and guide the work. At GNM we see data as an asset that is critical for informing our business and driving performance. Data supports all areas of operations: informing our editors choices; supporting advertising revenue; and supporting our reader revenue teams to acquire more supporters and increase revenue per supporter.

About the Role

• Lead the data engineering and GCP cloud engineering practice across the organisation
• Coaching and mentoring a team of engineers
• Build and maintain our data ecosystem, including maintaining a lakehouse on Google Cloud Platform with BigQuery at its core
• Deliver operations and orchestration for all things data, specifically on Airflow, Cloud Composer
• Support integrations with key platforms such as Fivertan, Tableau, and Alation
• Enhance our architecture, align it with our infosec, multi-cloud, and architecture practices
• Champion and embed best practices for cloud and data engineering

About You

• Previous experience in a senior/lead role as a Data Platform Engineer
• Operates with deep knowledge of cloud infrastructure and large scale analytics platforms, including experience with GCP and BigQuery preferred.
• Design and deliver solutions on the technologies that drive data at the Guardian. This looks like:
• Google Cloud Platform: BigQuery, Kubernetes
• Python, Airflow, & DBT
• CI/CD & Terraform
• Nice-to-have: Spark & Scala on DataProc
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of key operational concerns, including:
• Security & Networks
• Site Reliability
• Developer Experience
• Costs & Budgets
• Enjoys working in a collaborative environment, communicates effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues across the Guardian
• Able to mentor and coach engineers within the data platform team, balancing personal and team delivery

We value and respect all differences (seen and unseen) in all people. We aspire to have inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard and can contribute to our future. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Many of our staff work flexibly and we will consider all requests for flexible working arrangements.

How to Apply

To apply, please upload your latest CV and a cover letter which outlines why you’d love to take on this role, and why you’re a great match for what we’re looking for.

We appreciate the time taken to prepare each application we receive. We do not use AI-assisted technology to review applications; every application is reviewed by a member of our recruitment team.

The closing date for applications is Tuesday 6th May 2025.

All roles at the Guardian are open for everybody to apply. It is important to us that you feel supported and comfortable throughout your recruitment process, in order to perform your best. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to help your application, this includes providing documents in accessible formats or personalising the process to better support your needs. Please contact Anna Vipers on [e-mail] to discuss further so we can work with you to support you through your application.

Benefits and Policies at the Guardian

You’ll have 30 days of annual leave per year (plus bank holidays) with the option to purchase an additional 5 days. Our pension scheme is generous; if you contribute 5% then we will contribute 8-12% (depending on your age). We believe in giving back, which is why employees are given 2 volunteering days annually and the option of payroll giving. Season ticket loans are also available.

You are entitled to private healthcare, life cover, income protection, and eye tests. You can also opt in to dental insurance.

We have enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave policies in place. We also support our employees by offering an IVF, menopause, baby loss, and trans equality policy.

Culture and Wellbeing

We want everyone to feel like they belong at the Guardian and we champion diversity of thought. Our various employee forums provide a platform to use their voice to foster an inclusive workplace. We became the first major media organisation to achieve B Corp status.

We offer tools to help you prioritise your wellbeing including access to our employee benefits platform which provides tailored support for health and wellbeing. In addition, we also offer free yoga and pilates classes. These run alongside our corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.

Our canteen has views overlooking the Regents Canal and caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Learning and Development

We encourage personal and professional growth. Employees have access to a broad range of tools and solutions, and we are happy to support the pursuit of professional qualifications through vocational courses and apprenticeships.