Principal Data Engineer

We are seeking a dynamic Principal Data Engineer to design, build, and manage our data infrastructure and systems, supporting our organisation's data strategy. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, deep technical expertise, and a collaborative approach to ensure our data solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with business goals.

As a Principal Data Engineer this involves designing scalable solutions, optimising data systems, and collaborating with various teams to support data-driven decision-making. You will also mentor junior engineers, ensuring best practices and innovative techniques are implemented to enhance overall data infrastructure and strategy alignment with business goals.

Main Responsibilities include:

• Develop, design, and test data deliveries throughout the development lifecycle.
• Train and coach developers.
• Manage day-to-day data delivery tasks.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align data solutions with organizational objectives.
• Design and implement scalable, high-performance data architectures.
• Define standards for data modeling, storage, and retrieval.
• Integrate data technologies, tools, and platforms.
• Oversee the development of data pipelines and workflows.
• Ensure data governance practices are followed.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging data technologies.
• Translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Develop monitoring and alerting systems for data infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot and resolve performance issues.
• Ensure compliance with data privacy and security regulations (e.g., GDPR).

Skills and experience required:

• Minimum of 8+ years’ experience in data engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Experience with Snowflake and Matillion preferred.
• Hands-on experience with large-scale real-time and batch data pipelines.
• Experience with Azure cloud platform, and security concepts i.e. Keyvault, ACL’s and RBACs.
• Proficiency in Python, Java, SQL, or similar languages.
• Experience with big data processing frameworks and modern data architectures.
• Strong knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Leadership experience and the ability to align technical solutions with business goals.
• A degree or equivalent experience in analytics, informatics, computer science, programming, or business.

Benefits:

• Flexible Working - Smart Working @ Ageas gives employees flexibility around location and working hours.
• Minimum of 35 days holiday (including bank holidays) with options to buy and sell days.
• Health benefits including Dental Insurance, Health Cash Plan, Health Screening, and Well Being Activities.
• Annual Bonus Schemes, Annual Salary Reviews, Competitive Pension, Employee Savings, Employee Loans.
• Well-being activities, yoga, mindfulness sessions, Sports and Social Club events.
• Maternity and paternity leave entitlements.
• Car Salary Exchange, Cycle Scheme, Vehicle Breakdown Cover.
• Deals on various gadgets including Wearables, Tablets, and Laptops.
• Return to work programme after maternity leave.

We are one of the largest car and home insurers in the UK. Our People help Ageas to be a thriving, creative and innovative place to work. We show this in the service we provide to over four million customers.

As an inclusive employer, we encourage anyone to apply. We’re a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and Women in Finance Charter, member of iCAN and GAIN. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive.

We have a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of harassment during the recruitment process, ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and professionalism.