Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds
Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES

Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
Bank of England

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative data engineering projects and design scalable data solutions.
  • Company: Join the Bank of England, a leader in financial stability and innovation.
  • Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on data-driven decisions that shape the future.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Azure data platforms and strong leadership skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 ÂŁ per year.

Leeds, United Kingdom; London, United Kingdom

Permanent Full Time

Flexible Working Options

  • This role is open to flexible working patterns, these may include:
  • Job share
  • Flexible start and end time to each day
  • Ability to adapt calendar as needed
  • A 50% in-office attendance requirement
  • Compressed hours (subject to approval)
  • Working from abroad policy (subject to approval)

A Day in the Role:

Your day starts with aligning across programmes and teams, ensuring the Bank's data initiatives are moving in the right strategic direction. You will focus on individual tasks while also concentrating on the bigger picture – identifying risks, guiding priorities, and shaping how teams work together.

You will act as a technical leader and strategic advisor, helping define how the organisation designs, governs, and uses data. You will work with senior stakeholders across technology, governance, and business areas to ensure the platform remains trusted, scalable, efficient, and compliant.

A key part of your role is setting standards and enabling others: guiding engineering approaches, mentoring senior colleagues, and helping teams adopt consistent patterns that raise quality and accelerate delivery across the organisation.

You will contribute to cross‐Bank initiatives — from modernisation programmes to long‐term platform strategy — influencing decisions that shape how the Bank manages and uses data in the future.

Opportunities in Leeds

We are excited to be growing our presence in Leeds, a city we have been connected to for nearly 200 years! Our modern, accessible office in the City Centre offers a supportive, flexible working environment. The majority of roles, including this one, are now available in Leeds, giving you the chance to build a meaningful career outside of London while contributing to our mission from a dynamic and growing location.

About Us

We are Data Services, our mission is to unlock the value of data by delivering high-quality, reliable, and secure data services that are accessible, understandable, and actionable! We continuously evolve our offerings, using modern cloud-based technologies, and foster strong partnerships to help our colleagues in the Bank navigate the complexities of a data-driven world and achieve their strategic objectives.

The use of data within Central Banking is evolving. The combination of data being collected at scale and significant advances in data technology has created the need to expand our Data Engineering team in Data Services. We are building the Bank's strategic cloud data platform to host products that solve real‐world problems while putting customers at the centre.

The Principal Data Engineer will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and supporting data pipelines on the Bank's data platform. You will lead innovative, data‐centric products and predictive analysis work while developing automated solutions that continuously improve data engineering across the Bank.

Your technical leadership will establish a centre of excellence, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver smart, customer‐focused designs.

Role Requirements

  • Design, develop, test, and deploy scalable, cost‐effective, and secure distributed architectures using Azure services such as Azure Data Factory and Azure Databricks.
  • Collaborate with cross‐functional teams to translate business and technical requirements into innovative, automated solutions.
  • Continuously innovate and evolve data ingestion and transformation framework design and implementation to meet modern data platform needs.
  • Manage the technical relationship with one or more Azure Data product groups.
  • Lead the identification of dependencies and produce detailed design documents for data pipeline solutions.
  • Leverage subject‐matter expertise to drive project and release plans with key stakeholders.
  • Participate in organisation‐wide projects and steering committees.
  • Design robust data replication architectures and implement methods to integrate AI and ML into platform and backend solutions.
  • Collaborate with the data governance team to enforce a comprehensive data catalogue.
  • Work with Cloud teams and key stakeholders to optimise cloud costs using FinOps principles.
  • Provide mentorship and coaching to data engineers on modern tools and technologies in Azure.

Extensive experience in data engineering on an Azure data platform, with a strong background in modernisation and large‐scale migration projects. Proven ability to coach and mentor others effectively in a senior capacity.

Demonstrable experience designing and managing metadata‐driven frameworks using Azure Data Factory and Azure Databricks.

Competence in and hands‐on experience managing Databricks environments and developing lakehouse architectures.

Proven proficiency in programming languages such as Python, T‐SQL, and PySpark.

Demonstrated capability in building secure, scalable data solutions on Azure.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a track record of building and managing teams effectively.

In‐depth knowledge of data engineering practices and tools.

Strong problem‐solving and adaptability to manage complex and dynamic projects.

Experience working with advanced containerisation and orchestration tools.

Prior experience designing and implementing AI/ML driven solutions within data platforms.

Relevant certifications such as Azure Data Engineer Associate, Azure Solutions Architect, or equivalent industry credentials.

Experience in DevOps practices using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions.

Our Approach to Inclusion

The Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve.

We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns.

Salary and Benefits Information

We encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package.

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process.

The Application Process

Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully.

The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages.

This role closes on 24 March 2026.

Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.

Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds employer: Bank of England

The Bank of England is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Leeds, where you can build a meaningful career while enjoying flexible working options. With a strong focus on employee growth, mentorship opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and private medical insurance, the Bank fosters a collaborative culture that values diversity and supports work-life balance. Join us to make a significant impact at the heart of the UK economy, surrounded by a team dedicated to excellence and innovation.
Bank of England

Contact Detail:

Bank of England Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their data initiatives and think about how your skills as a Principal Data Engineer can contribute. Tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your technical skills! Brush up on Azure services and data engineering concepts that are relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've tackled challenges in data management.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at the Bank of England.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds

Data Engineering
Azure Data Factory
Azure Databricks
Data Pipeline Management
Cloud Architecture
AI/ML Integration
Data Governance
Metadata Management
Programming in Python
T-SQL
PySpark
DevOps Practices
CI/CD Pipeline Design
Containerisation and Orchestration
Leadership and Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Principal Data Engineer role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention specific tools and technologies you've worked with, especially those related to Azure services, as this is crucial for us in the data engineering space.

Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforwardness, so avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the role.

Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!

How to prepare for a job interview at Bank of England

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Principal Data Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in Azure services like Data Factory and Databricks. Brush up on your knowledge of these tools and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects. Prepare specific examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and technical leadership.

✨Understand the Bigger Picture

This role isn't just about coding; it's about shaping data strategy across the organisation. Familiarise yourself with the Bank's mission and how data initiatives align with it. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to cross-Bank projects and influence decisions that impact data management.

✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills

You'll be expected to guide and mentor other engineers, so think of examples where you've successfully led teams or improved processes. Highlight your communication skills and how you've fostered collaboration in previous roles. This will show that you're not just a tech whiz but also a great team player.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world challenges. Think about scenarios involving data governance, compliance, or cloud cost optimisation. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies, as this will demonstrate your strategic thinking and adaptability.

Principal Data Engineer in TECHNOLOGY DATA SERVICES in Leeds
Bank of England
Location: Leeds

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>