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- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of impactful data products for millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DVLA, a mission-driven agency transforming digital services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous pension contributions, and 25+ days holiday.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and support for diversity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of national services and influence engineering standards.
- Qualifications: Strong SQL and Python skills, with experience in cloud data platforms.
The predicted salary is between 57515 - 82430 £ per year.
Become part of a mission driven digital team helping to build secure, resilient services used by millions across the UK. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), in partnership with Inspire People, is hiring a Lead Data Engineer with strong SQL and Python expertise, experience across modern cloud data platforms including Databricks, Apache Spark and lakehouse architectures, and a proven ability to design, build and lead delivery of reliable data products. This is a permanent role based in Swansea, working in a hybrid model (minimum 60% office-based in Swansea), with a salary of £57,515 – £82,430 plus 29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits.
Shape the Future of Digital Services at DVLA. DVLA is responsible for delivering secure, reliable national motoring services at scale, supporting millions of citizens, vehicles and transactions across the UK. DVLA Digital is on a long-term transformation journey, modernising platforms and services while maintaining public safety, trust and operational resilience.
As a Lead Data Engineer, you will lead the design and delivery of high-impact data products within DVLA’s data platform team, working closely with product teams, analysts and data scientists to ensure data solutions are scalable, reliable and aligned to user needs.
As a Lead Data Engineer you will:
- Design and implement complex data flows connecting operational systems for analytics, storage and business intelligence
- Build data products using modern data and streaming technologies
- Lead and coordinate engineering teams, setting standards and best practice
- Identify and enable reuse of data flows across services
- Design and assure robust data models and integrations to improve data quality
- Lead performance optimisation across data platforms, balancing cost, scalability and reliability
- Apply systems integration expertise to deliver end-to-end data solutions
Essential skills for the Lead Data Engineer include:
- Extensive experience in data ingestion, cleansing, transformation and modelling
- Strong proficiency in SQL and Python
- Experience with modern cloud data platforms and lakehouse architectures
- Hands-on experience with big data technologies such as Apache Spark or Databricks
- Strong knowledge of data warehousing concepts
- Experience with build, test and deployment automation
- Proven leadership capability leading or mentoring data engineering teams
- Strong problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented approach
Desirable skills for the Lead Data Engineer include:
- Experience working with large-scale data platforms in complex environments
- Understanding of data governance, security and data quality frameworks
- Experience influencing technical standards and engineering direction
- Familiarity with Government Digital & Data capability frameworks
In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:
- Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
- Generous employer contribution of 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- Digital communities with clear career frameworks
- On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff
- Free parking
Why Join the DVLA? You will play a key leadership role in shaping how DVLA designs and delivers data products at scale. This is an opportunity to work on nationally significant services, influence engineering standards, and contribute to long-term digital transformation across government.
Lead Data Engineer in Swansea employer: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Contact Detail:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer in Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current DVLA employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data projects, especially those using SQL, Python, or big data technologies. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise beyond just a CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common data engineering scenarios. Think about how you’d tackle real-world problems, especially around data flows and performance optimisation. Practice makes perfect!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the DVLA team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your SQL and Python skills, and any experience with cloud data platforms like Databricks or Apache Spark. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our mission at DVLA. Be sure to mention any leadership experience and your approach to building reliable data products.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links or descriptions of your work that demonstrate your ability to design and deliver data solutions. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Plus, we’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your SQL and Python skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies, especially in cloud data platforms like Databricks or Apache Spark. The more you can demonstrate your hands-on experience, the better!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll need to lead teams and set standards. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led engineering teams in the past. Think about challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as well as how you mentored others.
✨Understand the DVLA's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the DVLA's role in delivering secure and reliable services. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission of modernising platforms while ensuring public safety and trust. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in the organisation's goals.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to face technical problem-solving scenarios during the interview. Brush up on your data modelling and integration skills, and be ready to walk through your thought process on how you'd tackle real-world data challenges. This will highlight your analytical abilities and attention to detail.