Lead Data Engineer (National Security)
Salary: £80,000–£120,000
Clearance: Active eDV required
Location: Cheltenham (hybrid working)
There comes a point where another pipeline isn’t enough.
You want to shape the technical direction, influence the customer and have a say in what actually gets built.
I’m supporting a specialist Data & Geospatial SME that has recently secured strategically important National Security work ahead of significantly larger competitors, largely on the strength of its technical capability and credibility in the space.
This is a senior role, operating around SFIA 5–6, with genuine ownership.
You won’t be disappearing into a large delivery team. You’ll be expected to shape solutions, guide technical direction and work directly with senior customer stakeholders, including C-level contacts.
What you’ll be working across
- Python AWS and cloud-native data services
- Modern data platforms ETL / ELT and scalable pipelines
- Data modelling and architecture
- Distributed data processing
- CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code
- Technical design and solution ownership
The role is still hands-on, but the value is in the influence you’ll have around it.
You’ll be close enough to the customer to understand the real problem, senior enough to challenge the approach, and technical enough to help shape the solution properly.
Why it’s worth a look
- Greater technical ownership
- Direct access to senior customer stakeholders
- More influence over architecture and delivery
- A specialist engineering environment rather than a huge prime
- Strong learning and development
- The chance to work on strategically important National Security programmes
The business is in a genuine growth phase, and this role sits close to that expansion rather than being another hire into an established delivery machine.
Clearance
Active eDV clearance is required for this opportunity due to the nature of the live programme.
If you’re already operating at Senior / Lead / Principal level and want a role where your technical judgement actually carries weight, this is well worth a conversation.
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Lead Data Engineer in Cheltenham employer: Forward Role
As a Data Platform Architect with us, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to shaping the future of our data architecture. We offer a collaborative work culture that values your expertise and encourages knowledge-sharing, ensuring you have the opportunity to grow and make a significant impact on a business-critical programme. Located in the South West, our hybrid working model provides flexibility while fostering strong team connections, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
