At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of scalable data solutions and modernise Aviva's data ecosystem.
- Company: Join Aviva, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, 29 days holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data engineering while shaping the future of analytics and AI.
- Qualifications: Expertise in data engineering, cloud architectures, and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 105000 £ per year.
The Principal Data Engineer - Enterprise Data plays a critical leadership role in shaping Aviva’s enterprise data foundations, ensuring data is engineered to be trusted, scalable and accessible across the organisation. The role is responsible for defining and embedding modern data engineering standards, architectures and reusable patterns that enable consistent delivery of high-quality data services.
By driving alignment across enterprise platforms, data domains and strategic programmes, this role underpins key capabilities such as analytics, AI, regulatory reporting and customer insight. It brings together deep technical expertise and strong stakeholder influence to modernise data ecosystems, improve data quality, and enable efficient, compliant and innovative use of data across Aviva.
Skills & Experience
- Strong expertise in enterprise data engineering, including building scalable data pipelines, cloud-native architectures, and integration patterns (e.g. APIs, event-driven, CDC).
- Proven experience delivering modern data platforms and tooling (AWS, Kafka, Python/Java, MDM/RDM platforms, data orchestration tools) aligned to enterprise architecture standards.
- Deep understanding of data management concepts such as Operational Data Stores, Master Data Management, Reference Data, data quality frameworks and data governance.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence across multiple teams and senior stakeholders, driving standardisation, reusability and best practice adoption.
- Strategic mindset with strong problem-solving, communication and planning skills, alongside experience working in complex, large-scale transformation programmes.
What you’ll get for this role:
- Salary: circa £100,000 based (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
- Bonus opportunity 12% of annual salary - Actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s
- Generous pension scheme - Aviva will contribute up to 14%, depending on what you put in
- 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
- Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
- Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
- Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
- Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
- Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
- We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools
Aviva is for everyone: We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares. We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending around 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.
To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here. We interview every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the job. Once you’ve applied, please send us an email stating that you have a disclosed disability, and we’ll interview you.
We’d love it if you could submit your application online. If you require an alternative method of applying, please give Harjot Kaur a call on 07353138456 or send an email to harjot.kaur@aviva.com.
Principal Data Engineer employer: Aviva
Aviva is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a competitive salary of circa £100,000 along with a generous bonus structure and pension scheme. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and flexible working arrangements, Aviva fosters a supportive work culture where innovation thrives, and employees are encouraged to engage in meaningful community initiatives. The opportunity to lead transformative data engineering projects in vibrant locations like Bristol and Norwich makes Aviva a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field, especially those at Aviva. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with scalable data pipelines and cloud-native architectures. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your strategic mindset! Think of examples where you've led teams or influenced stakeholders. This is key for a Principal Data Engineer role, so have your stories ready.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining Aviva and being part of our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Data Engineer role. Highlight your experience with scalable data pipelines and cloud-native architectures, as these are key for us at Aviva.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples of how you've built modern data platforms or improved data quality in previous roles. We love seeing real-world applications.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re excited about the role and how your strategic mindset aligns with our goals at Aviva. Let your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to review your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aviva
✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your enterprise data engineering skills. Be ready to discuss building scalable data pipelines and cloud-native architectures. Familiarise yourself with the tools mentioned in the job description, like AWS, Kafka, and Python/Java, so you can confidently showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about influencing and leading across teams. Prepare examples of how you've driven standardisation and best practices in previous roles. Think about times when you’ve successfully collaborated with senior stakeholders to modernise data ecosystems.
✨Understand Data Management Concepts
Dive deep into data management concepts such as Operational Data Stores and Master Data Management. Be ready to explain how these frameworks contribute to data quality and governance. This will show that you not only have technical skills but also a strategic mindset.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities, especially in complex transformation programmes. Think of specific challenges you've faced and how you approached them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers effectively.
