Principal Data Engineer - Aws in Bristol

At Leonardo, our Principal Data Engineers lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable data solutions that underpin critical defence, government, and commercial operations. As a technical authority and people manager, you’ll guide engineering teams through the full data lifecycle—transforming raw data into actionable insight across hybrid and cloud environments. This role blends technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and team development, offering the opportunity to shape data strategy and capability across multiple programmes.

Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team-centric manner. The role may involve a blended hybrid working model, with a mixture of working from home and working on site at one of our Leonardo offices to ensure close collaboration with the wider team and with our customers.

What you will do as a Principal Data Engineer:

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for data engineering delivery within your team.
• Lead the design, implementation and maintenance of end-to-end data solutions: acquisition, integration, storage, processing, and analysis.
• Implement scalable data solutions using big data architectures and workflow management systems.
• Guide the development of tools for data-driven insights and task automation.
• Continuously test and monitor systems to improve performance and reliability.
• Support development and deployment of machine learning models.
• Collaborate with DevOps Engineers, Data Scientists, Analysts and Cyber Consultants.
• Mentor and coach junior data engineers to build team capability, while managing project tasks across your own and their workloads.
• Manage a small team of direct reports, providing guidance, mentorship and support for their career development.
• Demonstrated leadership in data engineering, with experience managing and mentoring others.
• Ability to take ownership of engineering delivery and drive team performance.
• A proactive mindset with a commitment to continuous learning and capability development.
• Strong Python and SQL skills.
• Experience with ETL flows, data pipelines, and orchestration tools.
• Understanding of database architecture (SQL and NoSQL).
• Experience with big data tools.
• Experience supporting ML model deployment and DevOps collaboration.
• Degree in STEM, Data, AI, or Programming-related field.
• Awareness of data security best practices.
• Experience with designing data architecture.
• Understanding of ML algorithms and deployment.
• Security Clearance.

We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity.
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid