Senior Data Engineer

AQA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35-hour work week

25 days leave rising to 30

Christmas closure days

Pension up to 11.5%

BUPA healthcare

Wellbeing programmes

Volunteer opportunities

Inclusive, values-led culture

Job summary

AQA in Manchester is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to shape the future of our data platform. You will lead the DAIR team's data engineering direction, migrate and evolve cloud analytics capabilities and enable advanced analytics and AI across the organisation.

Working with data architects and business stakeholders, you’ll design scalable data solutions, build pipelines and promote best practices while mentoring others to grow capabilities.

Qualifications

• Experience in senior or lead data engineering roles.
• Cloud-based data platforms using Azure, Databricks, Snowflake or similar.
• Strong coding skills in SQL and Python.
• Experience designing data models and database structures.
• Track record of data integration across systems and platforms.
• Knowledge of data governance and security controls.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive results.
• Experience with AI-enabled analytics is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead data engineering activities within the DAIR team.
• Design and develop scalable, secure cloud analytics solutions.
• Build, maintain and optimise data pipelines across systems.
• Lead data modelling to support analytics and reporting.
• Use SQL and Python to deliver robust data solutions.
• Collaborate with architecture, governance and security teams.
• Help create foundations for advanced analytics and AI.
• Establish data engineering best practices and documentation.
• Mentor Analytics Engineer and develop team capabilities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organisation to solve data challenges.

Skills

SQL

Python

Azure

Databricks

Snowflake

Data modelling

Data governance

Leadership

Tools

Alteryx

Job description

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?

• 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
• 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.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Tuesday 8 September

Interviews will be held in either the Manchester or Guildford office, whichever is nearest to you, in the week beginning 21 September.

You will be asked to present on a topic followed by values and behaviours based questions.

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.#MCRE