Senior Data Engineer

AQA; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension contributions

Healthcare support

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead the DAIR data platform, shaping analytics, reporting and AI-driven insights. This newly created role offers influence over data architecture and strategic decisions within a collaborative tech team.

You will design scalable cloud-based solutions, build data pipelines, mentor colleagues, and drive best practices to unlock advanced analytics across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Experience in a senior or lead data engineering role.
• Experience designing cloud-based data platforms using Azure, Databricks and/or Snowflake.
• Strong coding skills (SQL or Python).
• Experience with data modelling and data integration across systems.
• Knowledge of data governance, security and access controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead DAIR's data platform design and development to support analytics, insight and reporting.
• Build and maintain scalable, secure data pipelines across multiple systems.
• Lead data modelling to support analytics and reporting.
• Promote best practices and documentation in data engineering.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data modelling

Azure

Databricks

Snowflake

Data governance

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Analytical/technical/mathematical degree

Tools

Azure

Databricks

Snowflake

Alteryx

Job description

At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.

Senior Data Engineer
Permanent
Manchester: £56,500 - £63,000
Guildford: £59,000 - £66,000
Hybrid Working

Shape the future of data analytics at AQA

Data has the power to answer some of the most important questions in education. At AQA, we're developing the platforms, tools and capabilities that help us use data most effectively across our organisation. We're looking for a Senior Data Engineer to play a leading role in that journey. This is a newly created role where you'll have the opportunity to shape how our data platform evolves, influence strategic decisions and help unlock the potential of advanced analytics and AI. You'll be helping define what great looks like and building the foundations for the future.

Why join AQA?

At AQA, we're more than an exam board. We're an educational charity committed to helping learners realise their potential and supporting better outcomes through research, insight and innovation. Our Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting (DAIR) team plays a critical role in helping the organisation make informed decisions through trusted data and meaningful insights. As our Senior Data Engineer, you'll join a highly skilled and supportive team with a clear vision for the future. You'll have the freedom to influence major decisions, collaborate with experts across technology and data and help transform how data is used throughout the organisation.

What makes this role particularly exciting?

• You'll lead the data engineering direction within the DAIR team.
• You'll help migrate and develop our data platform, shaping its future capabilities.
• You'll influence how analytics, reporting and AI for analytics are enabled across AQA.
• You'll work closely with data architects, technology specialists and business stakeholders.
• You'll have the opportunity to mentor and develop others.
• You’ll join at a stage where your ideas and expertise can genuinely shape the future direction of the data analytics function.

What's in it for me?

AQA are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package including: a 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working; 25 days' annual leave rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days; up to 11.5 percent combined pension contribution, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities and an inclusive, values-led culture with employee networks including LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, empowering women, wellbeing, ethnic diversity and Interfaith.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

• Leading data engineering activities within the DAIR team.
• Designing and developing scalable, secure and high-performing cloud-based data analytics solutions.
• Building, maintaining and optimising data pipelines and integrations across multiple systems.
• Leading data modelling activities to support analytics and reporting.
• Using technologies such as SQL and Python to deliver robust data solutions.
• Working with technology colleagues to ensure alignment with architecture, governance and security standards.
• Helping create the foundations needed to support advanced analytics and AI.
• Establishing and promoting data engineering best practice, standards and documentation.
• Managing and developing an Analytics Engineer within the team.
• Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation to solve complex data challenges.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience in a senior or lead data engineering role.
• A strong background in designing and implementing cloud-based data platforms using technologies such as Azure, Databricks, Snowflake or similar.
• Strong coding skills, such as SQL or Python.
• Experience designing data models and database structures.
• A track record of integrating data across multiple systems and platforms.
• Knowledge of data governance, security and access controls.
• The ability to influence, engage and build strong relationships with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for continuous improvement.
• Experience with Alteryx and AI-enabled analytics would be advantageous but isn't essential.

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with curiosity, collaboration and influence. You'll be comfortable navigating complexity, bringing people together around a common vision and communicating technical concepts in a way that others can understand and act upon. You'll be working in an evolving environment where you can challenge thinking, introduce new ideas and help drive meaningful change.

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Full Job Description

Summary

This role will act as the lead for data engineering within the Data Analytics, Insight & Reporting (DAIR) team, with accountability for shaping, delivering and evolving the organisation's data platform from an analytics and insight perspective. The postholder will help to translate AQA's data strategy into practical, scalable data platform capabilities that enable high-quality analytics, reporting and the use of AI. They will work collaboratively with technology colleagues to ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture, governance and security standards. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the role will drive best practice in data engineering across DAIR and influence how the data platform supports organisational data analysis priorities. Landscape: AQA is a leading exam board and educational charity. As well as delivering high quality assessment, we believe it is vital we use our research, insight and expertise to support strategic decision making and business improvement. The DAIR team plays a key role in enabling this by providing trusted data, insight and reporting across the organisation. This role will be critical for shaping AQA's ability to deliver its data strategy.

Activities

• Lead DAIR's input into the design and development of the data platform, ensuring it supports analytics, insight and reporting, and work collaboratively with technology colleagues to align approach
• Help design scalable, secure and high-performing data solutions that meet business needs
• Design, build and maintain robust data pipelines and integrations across systems
• Lead data modelling to support analytics and reporting
• Use coding skills such as SQL or Python to deliver efficient, scalable solutions
• Help enable AI and advanced analytics through effective data engineering
• Work with colleagues to implement and maintain defined data access controls and standards
• Support compliance with organisational and regulatory governance requirements
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to define data engineering solutions and resolve complex issues
• Ensure solutions are well documented and maintainable
• Promote best practice in documentation, coding standards and data engineering processes
• Represent DAIR in relevant meetings and data governance forums
• Line manage an analytics engineer development post
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve and staying up-to-date with emerging technologies and best practice
• Provide flexible support across the team and undertake other tasks commensurate with the role.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Knowledge & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a senior or lead data engineering role and/or a degree in an analytical, technical or mathematical discipline
• Experience designing and implementing cloud-based data platforms using Azure, Databricks or similar
• Understanding of data architecture principles (desirable, working closely with formal Data Architecture roles)
• Significant experience in data modelling and database design
• Strong coding skills such as SQL or Python
• Experience of data integration across multiple systems and platforms
• Understanding of data governance, security and access control principles
• Experience working with tools such as Alteryx (desirable)
• Awareness or experience of large-scale data platforms supporting AI or advanced analytics (desirable)

Skills & Capabilities

• Strong leadership and influencing skills
• Ability to engage and negotiate with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify pragmatic solutions
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly
• A strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term direction and immediate delivery
• Self-starter with an inquisitive and proactive approach
• Strong continuous improvement mindset
• Highly collaborative with the ability to build strong working relationships
• Organised and detail-oriented with a focus on quality and delivery