Principal Data Engineer (SC)

Synergize Consulting; Reading; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Synergize Consulting is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to join a leading defence client on a contract basis. The role focuses on designing scalable, secure data platforms in cloud environments and mentoring engineering teams.

You will lead enterprise data pipelines, establish standards and governance, and drive DataOps/DevOps practices across the data engineering function. A strong background in Azure/AWS/GCP and modern data tools is required.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing enterprise-scale data architectures.
• Strong cloud data platform expertise (Azure, AWS or GCP).
• Proficient in SQL, Python, and modern data processing tech.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable, secure, cloud-native data platforms and architectures.
• Lead development of enterprise data pipelines and reusable data products.
• Establish engineering standards, governance, and best practices.
• Drive DataOps/DevOps, CI/CD, IaC, automation and monitoring.
• Champion data quality, security, and compliance across assets.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, analysts and stakeholders.

Skills

Data engineering

Cloud platforms

Azure/AWS/GCP

SQL

Python

Spark

DataOps/DevOps

CI/CD

Infrastructure as Code

Databricks/Airflow

Education

Degree in Computer Science or related

Tools

Azure Data Factory

Databricks

Snowflake

Microsoft Fabric

Airflow

Job description

Synergize Consulting are now hiring for a Principal Data Engineer to work at a leading defence client on a contract basis.

The successful candidate will be working at the forefront of cloud technologies, and will be required to design scalable, secure, and resilient data platforms while mentoring engineering teams and influencing technology strategy.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and implement scalable, secure, cloud-native data platforms and architectures.
• Lead the development of enterprise data pipelines, integration frameworks, and reusable data products.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, and technical governance across the data engineering function.
• Drive adoption of DataOps and DevOps practices, including CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, automation, and platform monitoring.
• Champion data quality, governance, security, lineage, and compliance across enterprise data assets.
• Partner with architects, software engineers, analysts, and business stakeholders to deliver high-value data solutions.
• Support cloud migration and modernisation initiatives, helping transform Legacy data platforms.
• Optimise performance, scalability, reliability, and cost across the data ecosystem.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to data engineers.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and influence the future direction of the organisation's data capabilities.

Experience required:

• Significant experience in data engineering, software engineering, and/or enterprise data platform development.
• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale data architectures.
• Strong expertise with cloud data platforms including Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Excellent knowledge of SQL, Python, Spark, and modern data processing technologies.
• Experience building robust ETL/ELT pipelines and streaming data solutions.
• Strong understanding of data modelling, data warehousing, and master data management.
• Hands‑on experience with DataOps, DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code.
• Experience with technologies such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, Airflow, or equivalent platforms.
• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, security, and data quality principles.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments
• Cloud certifications (Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud) would be highly desirable
• Experience in aerospace, defence, manufacturing, or other highly regulated industries would be desirable.
• Due to the nature of the client, it would be an advantage for candidates to hold, or be eligible and willing to undergo, a certain level of security clearance (SC).