At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering projects and ensure high-performance data platforms.
- Company: Join British Airways, a leader in the aviation industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, unlimited flight perks, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in data engineering while travelling the world.
- Qualifications: Strong SQL skills and experience with cloud data management tools.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
You’ll be part of the Operations Delivery Intelligence (ODI) directorate, acting as a technical leader for data engineering across the organisation. This area plays a critical role in enabling secure, scalable and high‑performing data platforms that underpin data products and decision‑making across British Airways.
What you’ll do
- Act as a technical leader for data engineering best practice across delivery teams
- Lead the design, build, test and deployment of secure and scalable data pipelines
- Maintain and operate data products, ensuring availability, performance and resilience through monitoring and incident management
- Provide assurance on code quality and automation used to manage data flows
- Lead service reviews, health checks and root cause analysis to improve reliability and reduce operational overhead
- Set and embed standards for data processing documentation and version control
- Support and coach engineers on engineering patterns, coding standards and automated testing
- Lead agile ceremonies, delivery planning and retrospectives to support continuous improvement
- Define and improve developer experience by working with data product teams to resolve data processing issues
- Line manage Senior Data Engineers and support their development
- Participate in an on‑call rota to support live data products
What you’ll bring to British Airways
- Strong hands‑on technical leadership in data engineering
- Deep understanding of cloud‑based data ingestion, processing and storage techniques
- Expert knowledge of data processing, testing and monitoring practices
- Strong understanding of enterprise data management, optimisation and security at scale
- Confidence influencing technical direction and engineering standards
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills across business and technical teams
- Ability to break down complex problems and work effectively in ambiguous environments
- Delivery‑focused, accountable and pragmatic mindset
- Collaborative approach with a focus on capability building and knowledge sharing
Your experience
- Excellent SQL development experience
- Highly experienced in data ingestion, processing and storage techniques on cloud native tooling
- Experience cloud data management i.e. Snowflake, AWS, DBT, or similar Paas and SaaS offerings
- Experience of enterprise data management and security at scale
- Knowledge of data modelling and optimisation
- Expert in data processing, testing, and monitoring practices and frameworks
- Experience supporting production data systems and resolving operational issues in CI/CD processes and agile development workflows
- Expert in information security principles and access control within data environments
- Degree or equivalent training in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline is desirable
What we offer
Benefits include competitive salary, staff travel benefits with unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights, and up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family. You’ll also enjoy opportunities for development and career progression across the business.
Inclusion & Diversity
British Airways is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We value diverse representation and are welcoming to all backgrounds and cultures as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
Principal Data Engineer - Operations & Engineering employer: 慨正橡扯
British Airways is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Principal Data Engineer, you'll benefit from competitive salaries, extensive staff travel perks, and robust opportunities for professional development within a diverse and inclusive culture that values every individual's contribution. Join us in shaping the future of air travel while enjoying a fulfilling career in a globally recognised organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer - Operations & Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at British Airways on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a project that highlights your data engineering expertise. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, having something tangible to discuss can really set you apart.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for technical interviews! Brush up on your SQL and cloud data management knowledge. Practising common data engineering problems will help you feel confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at British Airways.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer - Operations & Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Principal Data Engineer. Highlight your hands-on technical leadership and experience with cloud-based data tools like Snowflake or AWS. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our Operations Delivery Intelligence team. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any impressive data projects, don’t hold back! Include links or descriptions that demonstrate your expertise in building secure and scalable data pipelines. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at 慨正橡扯
✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your data engineering knowledge, especially around cloud-based tools like Snowflake and AWS. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with data ingestion, processing, and storage techniques, as well as how you've tackled complex problems in the past.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Data Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've influenced technical direction and improved engineering standards in previous roles. Think about times when you've successfully coached team members or led agile ceremonies.
✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges
Expect some technical questions or challenges during the interview. Brush up on your SQL skills and be prepared to discuss your approach to code quality, testing, and monitoring practices. They might even ask you to solve a problem on the spot, so practice thinking aloud while you work through solutions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder engagement is key for this role. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated with both technical and non-technical teams. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships and resolved issues collaboratively, as this will show your ability to bridge gaps between different groups.
