Senior Automation Engineer

Attivo Group; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial planning firm in Cheltenham seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to support core business applications and drive automation initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in Python and Azure services, alongside a commitment to improving operational efficiency. This role also involves mentoring colleagues and contributing to system design for effective data management.

Benefits

Non‑contributory Pension Scheme (8 %)

Private Medical Insurance

Work from home and flexible working available

Generous holiday allowance

Qualifications

• Proven experience supporting and maintaining business applications.
• Experience developing automation solutions using Python.
• Understanding of relational databases with query optimization skills.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain core business applications.
• Drive automation and integration initiatives to improve efficiency.
• Develop Python scripts and Azure-based data solutions.

Skills

Python

Automation and scripting solutions

Relational databases

APIs and system integrations

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Communication and interpersonal skills

Organised and detail-oriented

Tools

Azure DevOps

SQL Server

Power BI

Azure services

Job description

About Attivo

Attivo are Lifestyle Financial Planners. We’re a privately owned company. We prefer it that way. It means we’re free to do what we feel is best for our clients and our people. Our work is all about our clients. We pride ourselves on being completely transparent, open and honest – an approach that builds trust with our clients and inspires their financial confidence.

About the role

The Senior Automation Engineer will be responsible for maintaining and supporting core business applications while driving automation and integration initiatives to improve operational efficiency. This role requires a blend of strong support skills and hands‑on technical ability to design and deliver lightweight automation, scripting, and system integrations, including data pipelines such as ETL. The successful candidate will ensure business systems are reliable, secure, and user‑friendly while identifying opportunities to streamline processes across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

Application Support & Operations

• Resolve day‑to‑day application incidents and service requests within agreed SLAs.
• Configure, maintain, and continuously optimise business systems in line with operational requirements.
• Monitor and ensure accuracy, integrity, and reliability of data flows between systems.

Automation & Development

• Develop and maintain Python scripts, Power Platform solutions, and other automation solutions to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort.
• Implement and manage cloud‑based data solutions using Azure services (e.g., Azure functions, Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse Analytics).
• Design and deploy small‑scale system integrations via APIs and other methods to support business operations.

Design

• Design and optimise data models, schemas, and ETL/ELT transformations for data warehouse environments (including Snowflake).
• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Produce and maintain clear technical and process documentation.
• Mentor and guide colleagues to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to best practices.

Key outputs

• Provide reliable and efficient support for business applications and systems, including configuration, security administration (RBAC), and performance management.
• Monitor and prioritise tickets, ensuring timely resolution and adherence to SLAs.
• Collaborate with suppliers to identify interoperability risks, document upgrade benefits, and implement improvements as appropriate.
• Deliver automation and integration solutions that generate measurable efficiency gains within a Microsoft environment (Azure Cloud and Power Platform).
• Streamline workflows and improve system usability for end users.
• Ensure accurate, secure, and accessible data for use across the organisation.
• Maintain well‑documented processes, scripts, and integrations to support continuity and knowledge sharing.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience supporting and maintaining business applications in a service environment.
• Demonstrable proficiency in developing automation and scripting solutions using Python.
• Solid understanding of relational databases (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL) with the ability to write and optimise queries.
• Demonstrable hands‑on experience with APIs and system integrations.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to manage incidents and service requests effectively while balancing project‑based enhancements.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Desirable Skills

• Demonstrable experience working with cloud platforms and services (e.g., Azure, AWS, serverless computing, Azure data factories).
• Strong understanding of ITIL best practices, with experience applying service management principles to incident, problem, and change management processes.
• Demonstrable experience with data solutions, including PySpark for data processing, data warehouses/lakes (e.g., Snowflake, Delta Lake), and reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Proven experience with developing low‑code / no‑code automation particularly using Microsoft Power Automate.
• Hands‑on experience designing, implementing, and maintaining CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps to automate builds, testing, and deployments.
• Awareness of data governance and compliance principles.
• Experience working in financial services or other regulated environments.
• Working knowledge of Intelliflo Office.

Benefits

• Non‑contributory Pension Scheme (8 %)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cashplan
• Income Protection
• Critical Illness
• Death in Service
• Parking allowance
• Generous holiday allowance, rising with length of service
• Work from home and flexible working available
• Excellent culture, promoting employee well‑being and engagement.

Equal Opportunities

Attivo is committed to being an Equal Opportunities employer. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will endeavour to make the process as accessible and as fair as possible.