At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering teams and shape the future of AI in defence.
- Company: Fast-growing AI and defence tech business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £140,000 salary, excellent benefits, and career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and significant influence in the industry.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while influencing technical direction and mentoring talent.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in data engineering, expertise in Python, SQL, and cloud technologies.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 140000 £ per year.
This is an opportunity to join one of the most exciting and fastest-growing AI and defence technology businesses in the UK, helping shape the future of data, analytics and AI across some of the nation's most critical programmes.
We're looking for an exceptional Principal Data Engineer with the technical credibility, leadership capability and strategic vision to help build a market-leading data engineering practice. This role is aimed at individuals who want more than technical delivery. We're looking for a recognised leader within the defence data community—someone capable of influencing customers, leading teams, defining technical strategy and helping scale a high-performing capability from the ground up.
The Opportunity
As Principal Data Engineer, you will operate as a technical authority across major defence and national security programmes, helping clients unlock the value of their data while enabling advanced analytics, machine learning and AI-driven solutions. You will play a key role in shaping both technical delivery and the future direction of the organisation's data capability.
Responsibilities will include:
- Acting as a senior technical leader across complex defence programmes
- Defining engineering standards, best practices and technical strategy
- Leading and mentoring high-performing engineering teams
- Engaging directly with senior customer stakeholders
- Designing and delivering modern cloud-native data platforms
- Supporting capability growth and practice development
- Driving innovation across data, analytics and AI initiatives
What We're Looking For
We're interested in proven leaders from the defence, national security or secure government technology sectors. You'll bring:
- Significant experience leading Data Engineering teams and large-scale programmes
- Strong expertise in Python and SQL
- Deep experience with Spark and/or Databricks
- Strong cloud expertise across AWS, Azure and/or GCP
- Experience with orchestration technologies such as Airflow
- A track record of delivering scalable, resilient and high-quality data products
- The ability to influence customers and senior stakeholders
- Experience developing engineering capabilities, teams and technical standards
- A passion for innovation and emerging technologies, particularly AI
Why Join?
This is a rare opportunity to join a business where you can genuinely shape the future. You'll have the autonomy to influence technical direction, build capability, mentor outstanding engineers and work on programmes that have real-world impact. For ambitious technical leaders who want to combine hands-on expertise with strategic influence, opportunities like this do not come around often.
Package
- Up to £140,000 base salary
- Excellent benefits package
- Significant opportunities for progression and influence
- Newcastle HQ
- Regular travel to client sites across the UK
- Work at the forefront of Defence, Data and AI
If you're a recognised leader within the defence data community and are looking for your next challenge, we'd love to have a confidential conversation.
Principle Data Engineer in Sunderland employer: ANSON MCCADE
Join a pioneering AI and defence technology firm that offers an exceptional work environment in Newcastle, where you can truly make a difference. With a strong focus on innovation, employee growth, and the opportunity to lead high-performing teams, this company provides a unique platform for ambitious professionals to shape the future of data engineering while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principle Data Engineer in Sunderland
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the defence and AI sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience with Python, SQL, and cloud technologies. We want to see how you can bring your technical expertise to the table, so don’t hold back on showcasing your projects and achievements.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss your approach to data engineering challenges. We recommend practising common interview questions related to Spark, Databricks, and orchestration technologies like Airflow. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team in shaping the future of data and AI.
We think you need these skills to ace Principle Data Engineer in Sunderland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Data Engineer role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise in Python, SQL, and cloud technologies, and any relevant projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how your background fits with our mission. Share specific examples of how you've influenced teams or driven innovation in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't just list your skills—demonstrate them! Mention specific projects where you've used Spark, Databricks, or orchestration technologies like Airflow. We want to see how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people quickly and allows us to keep track of all candidates efficiently. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ANSON MCCADE
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in Python, SQL, and cloud technologies like AWS or Azure. Be ready to discuss your experience with Spark or Databricks, as well as any orchestration tools like Airflow. The interviewers will want to see that you can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. Think about specific projects where you defined technical strategies or mentored others. Highlighting these experiences will show that you're not just a techie but a strategic thinker too.
✨Engage with the Mission
Since this position is within defence and national security, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the sector's challenges and opportunities. Research the company’s current projects and think about how your skills can help them achieve their goals. Showing genuine interest in their mission will set you apart.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
The company is looking for someone who is passionate about innovation, especially in AI and data analytics. Prepare to discuss your thoughts on emerging technologies and how they can be applied in the defence sector. Bring ideas to the table that could drive their data engineering practice forward.
