At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable data pipelines using Databricks and Azure Synapse.
- Company: Join a leading company in the data and analytics space.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact by working with cutting-edge technology in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: 6-10 years of experience in data engineering and strong Python/PySpark skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Data / Platform Engineer to join our Data & Analytics team. This hybrid role combines hands-on data engineering on Databricks and Azure Synapse with platform administration responsibilities across our cloud data estate. The role holder will design, build, and operate scalable data pipelines while also maintaining the underlying Azure platform — including infrastructure-as-code (Pulumi), CI/CD automation, monitoring, security, and Databricks workspace administration. The ideal candidate combines strong Python/PySpark engineering skills with deep Azure platform knowledge and a service-excellence mindset, ensuring the Allianz Data Technology platform remains secure, reliable, and aligned to Allianz standards.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead solution design activities, collaborating with peers and mentoring junior colleagues to define and execute the team backlog.
- Develop, test, and document scalable ETL/ELT data pipelines and workflows using Databricks and Azure Synapse to ingest and transform data from a variety of sources.
- Administer and maintain Azure data platform components including Synapse, Databricks, ADLS Gen2, Key Vault, networking (VNets, NSGs, Managed Private Endpoints) and access control (RBAC, ACLs).
- Manage infrastructure-as-code across Dev, Staging, and Production environments using Pulumi (and equivalents such as Terraform / Bicep).
- Design and operate CI/CD pipelines using GitHub Actions (with OIDC federation) and/or Azure DevOps, supporting trunk-based development practices.
- Administer Databricks workspaces — cluster policies, Secret Scopes, Repos/Git integration, Workflow job health, and Unity Catalog governance.
- Monitor platform and pipeline health using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, KQL, and Azure Dashboards; triage and resolve incidents.
- Implement robust data security and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations; manage service principals, Managed Identities, and least-privilege access.
- Carry out routine platform operations: patching, backups, storage lifecycle, tagging, access reviews, DR readiness, and runbook execution.
- Identify and address performance bottlenecks and data quality issues to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
- Work with testers to ensure automated test plans are in place and agree test packs for UAT; review peers' work and take accountability for the quality of squad deliverables.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and analysts to understand data requirements and deliver clean, reliable, accessible data.
- Ensure solution designs align with the Allianz Data Technology Strategy, maintaining and enhancing Allianz standards and Service Excellence.
- Maintain technical documentation to Allianz standards (e.g., Grimlock) and stay current with industry trends, driving continuous improvement and innovation.
Qualification, Experience, Technical and Functional Skills
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, with 6–10 years of relevant experience in data engineering and Azure platform administration.
Must Have
- Databricks: hands-on experience building and optimizing pipelines, managing Delta Lake, and administering workspaces (cluster policies, Unity Catalog, Secret Scopes, Workflows).
- Python / PySpark: strong programming skills for data processing, automation, and scripting.
- Azure data stack: Synapse, Databricks, ADLS Gen2, Key Vault — including Linked Services, Managed Identity, and Spark Pool configuration.
- Azure platform fundamentals: compute, storage, networking (VNets, NSGs, Private Endpoints), identity and RBAC.
- CI/CD: GitHub Actions (with OIDC federation) and/or Azure DevOps for data and platform deployments.
- Infrastructure-as-Code: Pulumi (or Terraform / Bicep) across multiple environments.
- Scripting: PowerShell and Bash for platform automation.
- Monitoring & observability: Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, KQL.
- Big data file formats: Parquet and Delta Lake.
- Cloud-native data modelling and ETL/ELT frameworks on Azure.
Good to Have
- Azure certifications: AZ-104, AZ-400, DP-203.
- Azure Data Factory (ADF), Microsoft Purview, Microsoft Fabric.
- Data governance: lineage, cataloguing, sensitivity labels.
- Event-driven architectures: Kafka / Azure Event Hubs.
- Delta Live Tables, MLflow.
- IDMC Secure Agent, Power Automate flows.
- Security baselines: CIS / NIST.
- Observability tooling: OpenTelemetry, Datadog.
- AI tools and their application in data engineering.
- Knowledge of the UK Insurance Market.
- Agile / Scrum delivery experience.
Senior Data Platform Engineer in Woking employer: Ampstek
At Allianz, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while ensuring that our employees have access to continuous growth opportunities through mentorship and professional development. Located in Guilford, UK, we provide a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact our data technology platform, all while enjoying the benefits of a strong community and commitment to service excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Platform Engineer in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Databricks and Azure. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to data engineering and Azure platform administration. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Platform Engineer in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Data Platform Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Databricks, Azure Synapse, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in Python/PySpark. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data engineering and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your service-excellence mindset and how you ensure data security and compliance.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any cool projects involving data pipelines or Azure platform administration, make sure to include them! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so share what you've built and the impact it had.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ampstek
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Databricks and Azure Synapse skills. Be ready to discuss how you've built and optimised data pipelines in the past, and have examples of your work with infrastructure-as-code tools like Pulumi or Terraform. This role is all about hands-on experience, so show them you know your stuff!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in data engineering and how you tackled them. Whether it’s addressing performance bottlenecks or ensuring data quality, having a few solid examples will demonstrate your analytical thinking and service-excellence mindset.
✨Collaboration is Key
This role involves mentoring junior colleagues and collaborating with various stakeholders. Think of instances where you've successfully worked in a team or led a project. Highlight your communication skills and how you ensure everyone is aligned on data requirements and deliverables.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in data engineering and Azure technologies. Being able to discuss recent developments or innovations in the field will show your passion for continuous improvement and innovation, which is crucial for this position.
