Principal Data Engineer

Xpertise Recruitment; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy seeks a Principal Data Engineer to spearhead the design and delivery of data solutions across diverse sectors. This role involves direct client engagement, managing teams, and establishing best practices in data engineering. Ideal candidates will possess robust technical skills, exceptional communication capabilities, and the adaptability to thrive in low-data maturity environments.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in data engineering and solution design in complex environments.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading teams and developing others.

Responsibilities

• Act as a lead consultant, engaging directly with clients to deliver data solutions.
• Manage and mentor teams of Data Engineers and Analysts.
• Design modern data platforms and architectures from scratch.

Skills

Data Engineering

Solution Design

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Technical Skills

Mentorship

Tools

Azure

SQL

Python

Data Pipeline Tools

Data Visualization

Job description

Principal Data Engineer – Consultancy

Location: Remote (UK-based with client travel as needed)
Clearance: SC required (Sole UK Nationals only)

Can you help organisations at the very beginning of their data journey?

We’re hiring a Principal Data Engineer to lead the design and delivery of data solutions across a variety of sectors. This role is ideal for someone who can blend technical expertise with a consultative mindset — guiding clients who may not yet have mature data capabilities, warehouses, or clear strategies in place.

What you’ll be doing:

• Act as a lead consultant, engaging directly with clients to shape and deliver data solutions

• Support pre-sales and business development by defining scopes, contributing to proposals, and helping win new work

• Manage and mentor teams of Data Engineers and Analysts across active projects

• Design modern data platforms and architectures from scratch, often where existing infrastructure is minimal or misused

• Establish best practices across data engineering, governance, and delivery

• Build trust with both technical teams and senior non-technical stakeholders

What you’ll bring:

• Significant experience in data engineering and solution design, ideally in complex or regulated environments

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with a consultative approach

• Technical skills across modern cloud platforms (Azure preferred), SQL, Python, data visualisation and data pipeline tools

• Experience leading teams and developing others

• Patience, adaptability, and a willingness to work in organisations with low data maturity

What to expect:

You’ll join a growing consultancy team working on high-impact digital transformation projects. Many of these clients are only just starting their data journeys — so this isn’t a plug-and-play role. It’s about building capability where it’s never existed before.

Additional info:

• SC clearance is required (sole UK nationals only)

• Occasional travel to client sites will be necessary

• The role offers long-term growth, autonomy, and variety across projects

Ready to shape the future of data where it’s needed most?

Get in touch to find out more or apply directly.