Senior Data Engineer

Thorn SDS Ltd; Hereford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor in the UK is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to drive major data migrations into secure cloud platforms. This role involves leading the design and delivery of data pipelines, ensuring data integrity, and mentoring junior engineers. Candidates should have strong experience in SQL and ETL processes, as well as knowledge of big data technologies. Excellent communication skills and an understanding of data governance are essential. Competitive benefits include holidays, pension contributions, and well-being support.

Benefits

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Employer pension contributions

Group Life Insurance

Dental & Health cashback plans

Well‑being support

Cycle to Work scheme

Training & development opportunities

Thorn Well‑being Support Contribution

Qualifications

• Experience as a Senior Data Engineer on major data/application migration programmes.
• Strong SQL skills along with proficiency in Python, Scala, or Java.
• Deep experience in ETL/ELT processes and data warehousing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of data migration pipelines.
• Map, validate, reconcile, and transform complex datasets.
• Automate migration processes using scripting tools.

Skills

SQL

Python

Scala

Java

ETL/ELT

Big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop)

Cloud data tools (AWS Glue, ADF, Dataflow)

Data governance and security

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Job description

Why Join Thorn SDS?

Thorn SDS supports leading organisations across the Space, Defence, and Security sectors.

We’re looking for a Senior Data Engineer (SFIA L5) with strong data migration expertise to help drive a major transformation—moving critical applications and datasets from legacy systems into a secure new private cloud platform.

Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of data in one of the UK’s most secure environments.

What You’ll Do

You’ll lead the design and delivery of large-scale data migration pipelines, ensuring data is clean, validated, transformed, and seamlessly moved from legacy platforms to cloud-based solutions.

You will:

• Deliver end-to-end data migration pipelines into a new private cloud.
• Map, validate, reconcile, and transform complex datasets.
• Build and optimise ETL/ELT workflows for bulk and incremental migrations.
• Analyse legacy sources to understand structures, gaps, and dependencies.
• Work closely with application, platform, and infrastructure teams.
• Drive data quality and enforce strong governance and security.
• Automate migration processes with scripting/orchestration tools.
• Mentor junior engineers and support best practice adoption.

What We’re Looking For

A Data Engineer who thrives on complexity and knows what it takes to move and modernise mission-critical data.

You’ll bring:

• Experience as a Senior Data Engineer on major data/app migration programmes, preferably within a defence environment
• Strong SQL plus Python/Scala/Java.
• Deep ETL/ELT, data warehousing, modelling, and lineage experience.
• Knowledge of legacy databases and monolithic systems.
• Big data tech (Spark, Hadoop).
• Cloud data tools (AWS Glue, ADF, Dataflow or similar).
• Strong understanding of data governance and security.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Cloud certifications are a bonus.

What’s in It for You?

• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
• Employer pension contributions
• Group Life Insurance
• Dental & Health cashback plans
• Well‑being support (GP, Physio, savings benefits & more)
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Training & development opportunities
• Thorn Well‑being Support Contribution

Ready to Make an Impact?

This is your chance to elevate your career and use your skills in a role where data engineering meets national security.

Apply now to join Thorn SDS and play a key role in shaping the future of secure data solutions.

All applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK.

Due to the nature of this role, you must hold, or be eligible to obtain, a high level of UK National Security clearance – for more information see GOV.UK

Occasional travel to UK sites, with overnight stays, may also be required.