Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Bristol Full-Time 54000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead technical projects, design data solutions, and mentor fellow engineers.
  • Company: Hippo is a digital services partner focused on user-centred design and impactful technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, 25 days holiday, and a range of health and wellbeing perks.
  • Why this job: Join a diverse team that values innovation and personal growth while making a real-world impact.
  • Qualifications: Expertise in Python, SQL, cloud platforms, and data engineering practices required.
  • Other info: Remote work flexibility and relocation support available for candidates across the UK.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.

About The Role

Hippo is recruiting for aPrincipal Data Engineer to join our Hippo Herd.Principal Data Engineers work in multi-disciplinary teams that build, support & maintain User-Centred digital solutions that offer real value and work for everyone.

Hippo’sPrincipal Data Engineers are experts in their field. You will act as a principal consultant providing technical expertise in data engineering practices both internally and to our clients. You will drive the team\’s technical deliverables, maintain client relationships and be passionate about developing and upskilling others.

Please note, we are looking for candidates who are looking for growth at this level (principal), therefore the advertised salary band is the lower end of our full banding for this level of position, allowing for progression in the role.

Your role in nutshell:

  • Act as a technical SME within the Hippo engineering community to produce and ensure user-centred software is developed based on business requirements and following best practice
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues to explore, design and deliver solutions to client problems
  • Maintain client relationships and troubleshoot issues through collaboration
  • Design and manage software development and deployment pipelines resolving issues and potential bottlenecks before they occur
  • Continuously reviews and prioritises the delivery teams workload and can anticipate the need for realignment with evolving operational prioritise and complex work-streams and assignments
  • Be a strong communicator and presenter, presenting prototypes, solutions and progress to internal/external stakeholders in a clear concise manner
  • Build great relationships with your team and stakeholders, identifying and ensuring that challenges are overcome
  • Lead in the recruitment of other engineers, and support other consultants in their professional development
  • Ensure Hippo’s Data and Engineering communities contribute to Hippo’s business at a strategic level
  • Lead on new business opportunities, writing technical bids and proposals
  • Promote Hippo’s Data Herd externally (for example through writing Blogs, Workshops, Seminars or Conferences)

Skills and experience that you need

  • Excellent experience delivering in Python and experience with at least one other core language
  • Excellent experience of SQL and relational databases. NoSQL databases is also desirable.
  • Solid experience of at least one Cloud provider such as AWS, Azure or GCP.
  • Solid experience of working with Snowflake and dbt.
  • Strong experience of working with different data formats, e.g., CSV, JSON and XML
  • Building reliable Data Pipelines
  • Experience in Data Modelling is highly desirable.
  • Broader knowledge of IT — e.g., Security and Networking
  • Working in an Agile Environment
  • Test-Driven Development and/or Behaviour Driven Development
  • Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
  • Experience of operating as a technical leader on complex projects and able to manage stakeholder expectations and influencing decisions
  • Coaching and guiding others on the best way to achieve an optimal solution
  • Excellent verbal/written communication skills, able to articulate in both technical/non-technical terms depending on audience
  • Technical leadership and/or mentoring
  • Define working procedures and methodologies for the team

What makes us great

As well as a competitive salary which we’re transparent about from the outset, you can also expect a range of benefits:

  • Contributory pension scheme (Hippo 6% with employee contributions of 2%)
  • 25 days holiday plus UK public holidays
  • Perkbox access for a wide range of discounts
  • Critical illness cover
  • Life assurance and death in service cover
  • Volunteer days
  • Cycle-to-work scheme for the avid cyclists
  • Salary sacrifice electric vehicles scheme
  • Season ticket loans
  • Financial and general wellbeing sessions
  • Flexible benefits scheme with options of:
    • private health cover
    • private dental cover
    • additional company pension contributions
    • additional holidays (up to an extra 2 days)
    • wellbeing contribution
    • charity contributions
    • tree planting

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Hippo

At Hippo, we’re dedicated to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that works for everyone. We understand that having a diverse team unlocks our capacity for innovation, creativity and problem solving. Only by building a community of diverse perspectives, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds can we create an environment where all can contribute and thrive.

We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups including women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and people with disabilities. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process that reflects our workplace culture. We are a registered Disability Confident Employer, Mindful Employer, Endometriosis Friendly Employer and a member of the Armed Forces Covenant. Hippo continually strives to remove barriers, provide accommodations and offer reasonable adjustments to ensure equity throughout our practices.

Hi, we’re Hippo.

At Hippo, we design with empathy and build for impact. We do this by combining data-informed evidence, human-centred design and software engineering. We\’re a digital services partner who is genuinely invested in helping our clients thrive as modern organisations. Our delivery methodology is truly agile, from concept to reality, supporting innovation and continuous improvement to achieve your desired outcomes.

We firmly believe that technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. We take a human-centred approach to everything we do because we understand that complex problems require a service design approach. This means understanding how users behave and ensuring our solutions work for them in the real world.

Our combination of data, design, and engineering delivers bespoke digital services that make a positive and meaningful impact on organisations and society. We\’re confident in our abilities, authentic in our approach, and passionate about what we do. If you\’re looking for a digital services partner that can deliver real results, let us help you build for the future and make a lasting impact.

Hippo locations

We are headquartered in Leeds and located across the UK in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Bristol. We\’re on the lookout for top talent nationwide, so don\’t let location hold you back from applying. We welcome candidates from all over the UK who possess the flexibility to work from any of our locations. Plus, we offer a generous relocation support package of up to £8k to help make your move a smooth one. It\’s worth noting that, given the dynamic nature of our business, you may be required to work on-site at client locations or from your own home.

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Principal Data Engineer employer: Hippo Digital Limited

Hippo is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where Principal Data Engineers can thrive while contributing to meaningful digital solutions. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, competitive benefits, and a commitment to diversity, Hippo provides a supportive environment for professionals to develop their skills and advance their careers. The company's flexible working arrangements and generous relocation support further enhance its appeal, making it an ideal place for those seeking impactful and rewarding employment.
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Contact Detail:

Hippo Digital Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with Hippo's core values and mission. Understanding their commitment to user-centred design and data-driven solutions will help you align your discussions during interviews, showcasing how your experience fits into their vision.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight your experience in building reliable data pipelines and working with various data formats. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these skills, as this will demonstrate your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.

✨Tip Number 3

Emphasise your leadership and mentoring experience. Since the role involves guiding other engineers, sharing examples of how you've supported team members or led projects will show that you're ready to take on a principal position.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your approach to maintaining client relationships and troubleshooting issues. Being able to articulate your strategies for effective communication and collaboration will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer

Expertise in Python and at least one other programming language
Proficient in SQL and relational databases, with knowledge of NoSQL databases
Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
Familiarity with Snowflake and dbt
Ability to work with various data formats (CSV, JSON, XML)
Experience in building reliable data pipelines
Knowledge of data modelling techniques
Understanding of IT security and networking principles
Experience working in an Agile environment
Familiarity with Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behaviour Driven Development (BDD)
Experience with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)
Technical leadership experience on complex projects
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
Coaching and mentoring abilities
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to define working procedures and methodologies for teams

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Python, SQL, and cloud providers like AWS or Azure. Emphasise your technical leadership skills and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to deliver user-centred solutions.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for data engineering and how your skills align with Hippo's mission. Mention specific experiences where you've successfully collaborated with teams to solve client problems and how you can contribute to their community.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong communication abilities, consider including examples of how you've effectively presented technical information to non-technical stakeholders. This will demonstrate your capability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences.

Highlight Continuous Learning: Mention any ongoing professional development, such as courses or certifications related to data engineering, Agile methodologies, or mentoring. This shows your commitment to growth and aligns with Hippo's focus on upskilling others.

How to prepare for a job interview at Hippo Digital Limited

✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Principal Data Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of data engineering practices. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Python, SQL, and cloud providers like AWS or Azure. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully built data pipelines or managed complex data models.

✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts in both technical and non-technical terms. During the interview, be ready to present your ideas clearly, especially when discussing prototypes or solutions to client problems.

✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentoring Skills

Since the role involves leading teams and mentoring others, share examples of how you've guided colleagues in their professional development. Discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and overcoming challenges within a team setting.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about past experiences where you had to troubleshoot issues or manage stakeholder expectations, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.

Principal Data Engineer
Hippo Digital Limited
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