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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of scalable data systems while mentoring fellow engineers.
- Company: Join a renowned insurance company with a strong customer-first ethos and a growing UK presence.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and significant investment in technology and data.
- Why this job: This role offers a blend of hands-on work and strategic influence in a collaborative tech environment.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in data engineering, with strong experience in Azure, Snowflake, and programming languages like Python.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape data infrastructure in a pivotal leadership role.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 76000 £ per year.
Type: Permanent
Location: Hampshire, London (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £80,000 - £90,000 + Benefits
Are you an experienced Data Engineer ready to take the next step into a strategic, hands-on leadership role? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-established organisation with a long-standing heritage and a strong customer-first ethos, operating at scale within the insurance sector. They are a household name in general insurance and part of a larger European group, with a UK presence that continues to grow. With significant investment in their data and technology function, they are now looking to bring on a Principal Data Engineer to help shape and evolve their data infrastructure and engineering capability.
The Opportunity:
This is a pivotal role where you will lead on the design, delivery, and optimisation of scalable, secure data systems that support the wider business strategy. You will be part of a collaborative tech environment, working closely with cross-functional teams and mentoring fellow engineers. It’s a great blend of hands-on technical work and strategic influence.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Designing and delivering robust data pipelines and high-performing architectures
- Defining and implementing best practice in data modelling, storage and retrieval
- Collaborating with stakeholders to ensure alignment between technical solutions and business objectives
- Leading on the integration of cloud platforms and modern tooling (Azure, Snowflake, Matillion etc.)
- Coaching and mentoring engineers to elevate capability across the team
- Ensuring data governance, privacy and security standards are embedded into all solutions
- Troubleshooting and optimising data infrastructure performance
What We’re Looking For:
- 8+ years experience in data engineering, with at least 3 years in a senior or leadership role
- Proven experience designing and delivering end-to-end data pipelines
- Strong experience with Azure cloud services and security concepts (Key Vault, ACLs, RBACs)
- Hands-on with Snowflake, Matillion, and a range of modern data tools
- Programming expertise in Python, Java or SQL
- Solid knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases
- Excellent communication skills - able to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences
- A degree in Computer Science, Data/Analytics, or related experience
Principal Data Engineer employer: IPS Group
Contact Detail:
IPS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the data engineering field, especially those who have experience in the insurance sector. Attend industry meetups or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, such as Azure, Snowflake, and Matillion. Consider working on personal projects or contributing to open-source projects that utilise these technologies to showcase your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in mentoring others during the interview. Think of specific examples where you successfully led a team or improved processes, as this will demonstrate your capability for the strategic aspects of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company's values and recent developments in their data strategy. Being able to articulate how your skills align with their goals will show your genuine interest in the position and help you stand out as a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in data engineering, especially your leadership roles and specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Azure, Snowflake, and Matillion.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Principal Data Engineer role. Discuss your experience with designing data pipelines and your ability to mentor others, as well as your understanding of the insurance sector.
Showcase Technical Skills: In your application, emphasise your programming expertise in Python, Java, or SQL. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles to solve complex data challenges.
Highlight Communication Abilities: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, include examples of how you've successfully translated technical concepts for non-technical audiences in your past experiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at IPS Group
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data pipelines and cloud services, particularly Azure. Highlight specific projects where you've designed and delivered robust data solutions, as this will demonstrate your hands-on capabilities.
✨Emphasise Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and leading a team, share examples of how you've coached fellow engineers or led cross-functional projects. This will show that you can not only handle technical tasks but also inspire and elevate your team.
✨Align with Business Objectives
Understand the company's business strategy and be ready to discuss how your technical solutions can support their goals. This shows that you think beyond just the technical aspects and are invested in the overall success of the organisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially regarding data governance and security. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully navigated challenges in these areas, as it will highlight your strategic thinking and expertise.
