At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Data Platform strategy and set engineering standards for scalability and efficiency.
- Company: Join Compare the Market, a tech-driven company making financial decisions easier for millions.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, opportunities for growth, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on performance and diverse teams.
- Why this job: Be part of a fast-paced team that values innovation and accountability.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in Data Engineering and cloud-based platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
Curious about what’s next? So are we. Join Compare the Market and help to make financial decision making a breeze for millions.
At Compare the Market, we’re a purpose-driven business powered by tech and AI. We’re building high-performing, results-driven teams with the skills, mindset, and ambition to deliver outcomes at pace. Every role here plays a part in driving our mission forward, and we create an environment where you can bring your authentic self, grow a truly characterful career, and see the direct impact of your work on the lives of our customers. We’ve carved a meerkat-shaped niche and we’re looking for ambitious, curious thinkers who thrive in a fast-moving, high-impact environment. If you love accountability, embrace challenge, and want to make a real difference, you’ll fit right in.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Own the Data Platform architecture and strategy, defining the long-term target state and setting clear standards and guardrails to ensure scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency.
- Set the engineering bar by establishing best practices across data ingestion, streaming, transformation, modelling, CI/CD, orchestration, testing, observability, and governance.
- Act as the senior technical authority across data engineering, influencing architecture decisions and leading the Data Engineering Community of Practice to raise capability across the organisation.
- Champion “data as a product”, ensuring datasets and platform services are reliable, discoverable, reusable, and governed with clear ownership and service expectations.
- Drive strategic technical direction while remaining hands‑on where it matters—reviewing designs, validating patterns, and guiding complex problem‑solving without becoming a delivery bottleneck.
What We’re Looking For
- Extensive experience in Data Engineering within modern, cloud-based data platforms.
- Deep expertise in streaming‑first architectures, with strong knowledge of batch processing approaches.
- Strong experience across AWS data ecosystems, Databricks, dbt, CI/CD practices, and orchestration frameworks.
- Proven track record of defining and implementing large-scale platform architecture and engineering standards.
- Strong understanding of data modelling, ingestion patterns, performance optimisation, observability, governance, and security.
- Experience influencing senior engineers and stakeholders across multiple teams without formal authority.
- Experience leading engineering communities of practice and raising technical standards at organisational scale.
- Ability to operate independently in complex, high‑impact environments.
Why Compare the Market?
We’re a business built for pace and performance. Here, you’ll be encouraged to think differently, act boldly, and deliver brilliantly in a culture that values results and rewards progress. We believe diverse teams make better decisions, and we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive. If you’re ready to stretch yourself, raise the bar, and grow with a team that’s serious about performance, innovation, and purpose, we’d love to hear from you.
Principal Data Engineer employer: Compare the Market
At Compare the Market, we pride ourselves on being a purpose-driven employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in London and Peterborough. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on innovation and performance, providing opportunities for you to make a tangible impact while working alongside ambitious and curious thinkers. Join us to thrive in a fast-paced environment where your contributions are valued, and you can truly shape 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 current employees at Compare the Market on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Make sure you can talk confidently about data engineering concepts, especially those mentioned in the job description. We want to see your passion shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Bring examples of your previous work that align with the role. Whether it’s a cool data platform you built or a problem you solved, we love seeing how you’ve made an impact.
✨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 serious about joining our team at Compare the Market.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Curiosity:When writing your application, let your curiosity shine through! Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in the past and what you’re eager to learn next. We love ambitious thinkers who are always looking for the next big thing.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your true self in your application. We want to know who you are beyond your skills. Share your passions and what drives you—this helps us see how you’ll fit into our vibrant culture.
Highlight Your Impact:Make sure to include specific examples of how your work has made a difference in previous roles. We’re all about results here at Compare the Market, so showing us your impact will definitely catch our eye!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compare the Market
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into your data engineering experience. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve implemented cloud-based data platforms or streaming architectures. Highlight your hands-on experience with AWS ecosystems and how you've tackled complex problems in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves influencing others without formal authority, prepare examples of how you've led engineering communities or raised technical standards. Think about times when you’ve championed best practices or mentored junior engineers, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Emphasise Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Prepare to discuss how you approach complex challenges in data engineering. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your ability to think critically and act decisively.
✨Align with Their Purpose-Driven Culture
Compare the Market values authenticity and purpose. Research their mission and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be prepared to discuss why you want to work there and how you can contribute to making financial decision-making easier for customers.
