Senior Data Engineer

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks; Perth; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading renewable energy company in Scotland seeks a Senior Data Engineer to design and optimize data pipelines for informed decision-making. This role involves technical leadership, hands-on development using Microsoft Fabric and Synapse, and mentoring junior engineers. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in data management and communication, enabling effective collaboration with diverse teams. Flexible work options and unique benefits are offered, supporting a dynamic career in the energy sector.

Benefits

Private healthcare discounts

Gym membership discounts

Online GP services

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and building data pipelines.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration.
• Expertise in data engineering using modern tools.
• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Databricks.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize data ingestion and transformation layers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality data solutions.
• Lead governance and compliance practices within the data platform.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their development.

Skills

Data engineering

Data management

Communication

Cloud ecosystems

Education

Relevant degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Synapse

Power BI

PySpark

Job description

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Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations Reading, Aberdeen, Perth or Glasgow

Salary: £42,600 - £64,000+ Performance-related bonus and a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and driven individual to make a meaningful impact within SSE Renewables. The successful candidate will bring a strong commitment to continuous improvement, adaptability, and a hands‑on approach to problem‑solving. A genuine enthusiasm for delivering high‑quality outcomes, combined with deep expertise in data management, is essential. If you thrive in a collaborative, forward‑thinking environment and are motivated by making a difference, we encourage you to apply.

The Renewables Digital IM and Data Team is scaling up the development of a governed, cost‑efficient data platform designed to deliver robust, actionable insights that support strategic decision‑making and drive measurable business value across the organisation.

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will design, build, and optimise data ingestion, transformation, and serving layers across OneLake, Lakehouse, Warehouse, and Synapse SQL/Spark‑enabling reliable analytics, BI, and data science use cases across the Renewables business. You will collaborate with data architects, analysts, and product teams to deliver high‑quality ELT/ETL pipelines, model data for performance and usability, and apply best practices in security, data quality, and observability.

In this role, you will act as a technical lead within the Data & AI team, contributing to project scoping, providing expert guidance, and ensuring solutions are well‑architected and aligned with business needs. You will also mentor and support junior team members, helping them develop their skills and deliver strong engineering outcomes.

You Will

• Provide technical leadership, acting as an advisor during project scoping and offering internal consultancy to ensure solutions are well‑designed and aligned to business goals.
• Deliver Data Platform Engineering by building and maintaining metadata‑driven data pipelines using Fabric and Synapse, and developing Lakehouse/Warehouse layers using bronze/silver/gold patterns.
• Perform large‑scale transformations using Fabric Notebooks (PySpark/SQL) and Synapse Spark, and design performant data models integrated with Power BI and Direct Lake.
• Lead Governance, Security & Compliance practices, including implementing Purview lineage and cataloguing, enforcing RBAC and data masking, managing SLAs/SLOs, and supporting data standards across the platform.
• Drive DevOps, automation, and collaboration, working closely with analysts, BI developers, and product teams to refine requirements, deliver scalable solutions, and guide junior engineers.
• Shape the future direction of the data platform by contributing to technology evaluations and architectural decisions, including assessing emerging tools, cloud capabilities, and opportunities to evolve beyond the current Fabric/Synapse landscape where beneficial.

You Have

• A strong track record of delivering high‑quality data solutions in a complex, fast‑growing organisation, with the ability to balance priorities and collaborate effectively across technical and business teams.
• Excellent communication skills, enabling you to explain technical concepts clearly and work confidently with colleagues across the IM Apps & Data team and wider Renewables business.
• Deep expertise in modern Data Platform Engineering, with hands‑on experience building metadata‑driven pipelines using Microsoft Fabric and Synapse, developing Lakehouse/Warehouse architectures, and applying PySpark/SQL for large‑scale data processing and data quality management.
• Proven ability to design performant, user‑focused data models that integrate seamlessly with Power BI (including Direct Lake), along with a positive, solution‑driven approach to resolving challenges.
• Experience working with modern cloud and analytics ecosystems such as AWS or Databricks, bringing additional perspective and flexibility that complements our current Microsoft‑centric platform and supports future evolution of the data landscape.

About SSE

SSE's purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plansees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day‑to‑day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact [e-mail] / 01738 275 846 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

Ready to apply?

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.

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