At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain automated data pipelines using SQL and Python in a healthcare setting.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking healthcare consultancy focused on data innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Collaborate in a dynamic team and grow your technical expertise.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming raw data into valuable insights for clients.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years of data engineering experience with SQL and Python skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the role
The Data Engineer sits within the Data Innovation team and works day‑to‑day on the CFlakehouse, our Databricks platform that holds the routine healthcare data behind our analytical and product work. The role is hands‑on and delivery‑focused: writing SQL and Python, building and maintaining automated pipelines, and turning raw data into structured, production‑ready material that consultants and clients can rely on. CF runs an apprentice model of development. You will learn actively from senior engineers, contribute to the team’s collective knowledge, and take on greater scope as you grow. The work spans data cleansing and validation for client engagements, building and maintaining pipelines, and contributing to CF’s technical products, including through hackathons. This is a good fit for an engineer with a couple of years of experience who wants to build a broad technical foundation in a data‑rich healthcare consultancy, work close to real client problems, and see how technical work turns into client value.
Responsibilities
- Build and maintain automated data pipelines using PySpark and Spark, with appropriate monitoring.
- Build data models and pipelines under the guidance of senior colleagues, producing production‑ready code or client‑ready material.
- Develop data quality, validation and consistency checks, and carry out data cleansing.
- Develop unit, functional and integration tests, and follow the team’s Git and GitHub workflow.
- Participate in agile ways of working: keep user stories and tasks up to date, and contribute to stand‑ups, retros and show‑and‑tells.
- Flag early when work is deviating from plan, and help identify and deliver mitigations.
- Build an understanding of healthcare data and the CFlakehouse: what is collected, how it is structured, and how new sources are brought in.
- Work with teams to bring analytical insights to client problems.
- Communicate technical solutions to non‑technical colleagues, and give and receive feedback well.
- Learn best‑practice development processes from senior colleagues, and seek out new tools and techniques to apply.
- Use AI tools to improve code quality and efficiency.
- Support business development and bid writing on technical detail, and contribute to product development through hackathons and thought leadership.
Qualifications
- Around 2 to 3 years of experience in a data engineering or comparable technical data role.
- Working SQL, used day‑to‑day on the lakehouse.
- Intermediate Python for data transformation and automation.
- Experience building automated data pipelines using PySpark or Spark, with appropriate monitoring.
- Ability to write unit, functional and integration tests.
- Comfort working to a Git and GitHub workflow.
- Curiosity about healthcare data and how it relates to care delivery and policy.
- A clear communicator who knows when to ask for support and works well in a team.
Desirable Skills
- Databricks lakehouse experience: notebooks, Workflows and Jobs, Delta Lake.
- Unity Catalog basics (will be trained).
- Awareness of cloud basics such as storage and access control, and of medallion structure, bronze to silver to gold.
- Exposure to dbt and basic dimensional modelling.
Flexible Working
We follow a hybrid working model that balances in‑person connections and remote work to drive exceptional client impact. Team members can work from home one day per week as standard. Additionally, we offer 44 remote working days per year which can be used to top up your working‑from‑home days and enable you to work from home up to two days per week, subject to client needs. Core in‑person working hours are from 10am until 4pm.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to building an inclusive and supportive culture where diversity thrives. We only recruit, promote and reward our people based on their skills and contribution, without regard to gender, race, disability, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or other characteristics. We are Disability Confident Accredited.
Benefits
- Holiday entitlement: 25 days/year for staff and 30 days/year for leadership; increases by 1 day for every year of service up to a maximum of 35 days.
- Pension: we contribute 7% of your salary, you contribute 3% (or more if you like).
- Flexible benefits programme: increase pension contributions, access a cash plan, or benefit from a ClassPass subscription.
- Annual leave purchase: employees with less than 35 days entitlement can purchase additional leave days.
- Income protection: 75% of salary in event of long‑term incapacity with a qualifying claim.
- Enhanced sick pay beyond Statutory Sick Pay (up to 12 weeks in any 12‑month period).
- Life insurance: four times basic salary in a tax‑free lump sum payable to beneficiaries in case of death in service.
- Enhanced family leave: additional pay for parents who have a baby or adopt.
- Interest‑free loan up to £10,000.
- Interest‑free season ticket loan repayable in 12 monthly instalments.
- Workplace nursery scheme: tax and NI savings.
- Employee assistance and wellness programme: telephone counselling, life coaching, interactive tools, digital content.
- Seasonal flu jabs.
- Eye care tests and vouchers at Vision Express.
- Ride to work scheme: savings on bikes and cycling accessories.
- Membership to the Health Service Journal (HSJ).
Data Engineer employer: CF
At CF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, particularly within our Data Innovation team. With a strong focus on employee growth through our apprentice model, you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced engineers while contributing to impactful healthcare solutions. Our flexible working arrangements, generous benefits package, and commitment to diversity make CF a rewarding place to build your career in data engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineer
✨Get in on the Data Science Meetups
Data science is all about community! Join local meetups or workshops related to data science and analytics. It's a fab way to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and maybe even snag a lead on an upcoming opportunity at companies like CF.
✨Show Off Your Projects
As a trainee, showcasing your skills is key. Start a GitHub repository with your projects or analytics problems you've solved. Share them on platforms like Kaggle, and make sure to link them on your LinkedIn. Potential employers, including CF, love seeing hands-on experience!
✨Connect with Alumni
Tap into your university's alumni network! Reach out to past graduates who are working in data science roles and see if they'd be willing to chat. They often have great insights into internship openings and can even refer you internally, increasing your chances with companies like CF.
✨Find Internships through Portals and Workshops
Keep an eye out for career fairs and workshops specifically targeting data science roles. Many companies, including CF, often scout for trainee talent at these events. Plus, applying directly through job portals and company websites can give you an edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Data Skills:Make sure to highlight your data-related skills clearly in your CV. If you've worked on any projects using Python or R, be sure to mention them. Also, if you've dabbled in machine learning, include that too—employers love a hands-on learner!
Include Relevant Projects:Since this is a trainee position, listing your university projects or any personal data science projects can really impress. Attach a GitHub link if possible, so CF can see your code and your thought process. Practical experience, even if it's academic, can set you apart!
Personalise Your Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to show how passionate you are about data science. Describe why you're excited about the opportunity at CF and how the role aligns with your career goals in this dynamic field. We want to see your enthusiasm and potential to grow.
Tailor Your CV for Trainees:Since you’re applying for a trainee position, focus on academic achievements and any relevant coursework in your CV. Don’t sweat the lack of professional experience—your ability to learn and adapt is what counts. Also, make sure to align your CV format with data science norms; keep it clear and concise!
How to prepare for a job interview at CF
✨Show Off Your Data Skills
Make sure you're ready to chat about the tools we use in data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Brush up on key concepts like data cleaning, analysis, and visualisation — interviewers often delve into these areas to see how you think and approach problems.
✨Prepare for Practical Assessments
Don't be surprised if you're given a case study or data set to analyse during the interview. We should be prepared to demonstrate how we interpret and present data findings — it's a chance to show off our analytical thinking in real time!
✨Highlight Your Passion for Learning
As a trainee, it’s all about showing your enthusiasm for data science! Share any personal projects, online courses, or relevant experiences. This tells CF that we’re eager to grow and develop our skills in this exciting field.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Use this opportunity to find out more about the team’s projects and tools. Questions like ‘What data challenges are you currently facing?’ can demonstrate our interest while also helping us understand how we might fit into CF’s culture and workflow.
