Data Engineer

Data Engineer

Full-Time 53459 - 55103 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Metropolitan Police

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and maintain data pipelines, optimise databases, and support junior engineers.
  • Company: Join the Metropolitan Police, a diverse and innovative organisation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and extensive health and wellbeing perks.
  • Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in policing with cutting-edge data solutions.
  • Qualifications: Proficient in SQL, ETL tools, and cloud platforms like Azure.

The predicted salary is between 53459 - 55103 £ per year.

Salary: The starting salary is £53,459, which includes allowances totalling £2,928. The basic salary is £50,531, with annual increases up to £55,103, plus a location allowance of £1,928 and a non‑pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: The role can be based in Sidcup, Hendon, Bow or Lambeth with travel across the Met estate as required. It is offered as a hybrid work pattern, with 3 days expected in the office.

Security Clearance: This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced) (SC(e)) level before taking up the post.

Benefits:

  • Hybrid working arrangements for a healthy work‑life balance.
  • 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays), rising to 33 days after 5 years continuous service.
  • Personal and professional development opportunities.
  • Enrolment with the Met’s employee incentive partner, Edenred, giving access to a range of rewards and incentives.
  • Access to a range of financial products via the Metropolitan Police Trading Service, including preferred credit facilities.
  • Generous family leave for pregnancy, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave.
  • Childcare support including nursery and play scheme discounts.
  • Excellent contributory pension scheme.
  • Access to the Bluelight Emergency Services discount card with a range of official discounts from large national retailers to local businesses including holidays, cars, days out, fashion, gifts, insurance, phones and much more.
  • A substantial range of health and wellbeing benefits including physiotherapy, 24/7 rehabilitation services and free eye tests.
  • Subsidised sports centre membership to over 3,000 UK gyms and 80 London Fitness Centres, plus a range of sporting activities through the Met Police Sports and Social Clubs.

Responsibilities:

  • Design, build, and maintain robust data pipelines for analytics and operational use.
  • Optimize databases and implement data validation and cleansing processes.
  • Collaborate with analysts, scientists, and stakeholders to deliver data‑driven solutions.
  • Support junior engineers and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
  • Help transition our data infrastructure to Microsoft Azure.
  • Occasionally support operational policing through overtime.

Qualifications:

  • You’re confident with SQL – writing queries, building stored procedures, and designing databases is second nature.
  • You’ve worked with ETL tools like Alteryx, SSIS, FME or Python, and you know how to move and transform data efficiently.
  • You have experience building solutions in cloud platforms like Azure Data Factory or Data Bricks, or you’re keen to get stuck in.
  • You understand how relational databases and data warehouses work, and you’ve had a hand in designing them.
  • You’re comfortable solving problems independently whether it’s debugging a script or figuring out why a pipeline isn’t behaving.
  • You’ve written batch or PowerShell scripts before and know how to automate tasks when needed.
  • You can explain technical ideas clearly, whether you’re talking to a fellow engineer or someone who’s never seen a line of code.
  • You’re self‑motivated, detail‑focused, and always looking for ways to improve how things are done.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • You’ve used version control tools like GIT and understand the value of keeping things organised and collaborative.
  • You’ve worked with automated testing and know how to build reliable, repeatable processes.
  • You’re familiar with Agile ways of working and enjoy being part of a fast‑moving, iterative team.
  • You’ve handled geospatial data or dabbled in machine learning, or maybe even both.
  • You’ve built dashboards or reports using tools like Power BI, Power Query or Tableau.
  • You’ve worked in a SharePoint environment and know how to make the most of it.
  • You’ve written code in Java, Scala or other programming languages and enjoy exploring new tech.

We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we welcome applications from all of our London communities.

Data Engineer employer: Metropolitan Police

As a Data Engineer with the Metropolitan Police, you will join an organisation that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a hybrid work model for a balanced lifestyle. With generous annual leave, extensive health benefits, and opportunities for personal development, you will be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. The role also provides access to a range of financial incentives and discounts, ensuring a rewarding employment experience in a supportive environment.
Metropolitan Police

Contact Detail:

Metropolitan Police Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Data Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your SQL and data pipeline skills. We recommend doing some mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable explaining your technical expertise.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your projects! If you've built any cool data solutions or dashboards, bring them along to the interview. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills and passion for data engineering.

✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineer

SQL
ETL Tools (Alteryx, SSIS, FME, Python)
Microsoft Azure
Azure Data Factory
Data Bricks
Relational Databases
Data Warehousing
Batch Scripting
PowerShell Scripting
Version Control (GIT)
Automated Testing
Agile Methodologies
Geospatial Data Handling
Machine Learning
Data Visualisation (Power BI, Power Query, Tableau)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data Engineer role. Highlight your SQL skills, experience with ETL tools, and any cloud platform work you've done. We want to see how your background fits with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to mention any relevant projects or experiences that showcase your skills.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Whether it's debugging a script or optimising a database, we love to see how you approach problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at Metropolitan Police

✨Know Your Data Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in SQL and the ETL tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of Azure Data Factory or Data Bricks, as these are key to the role. Being able to discuss your past experiences with data pipelines and how you've optimised databases will really impress.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially when debugging scripts or resolving pipeline issues. The interviewers will want to see that you can think critically and independently, so have a few scenarios ready to share.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to explain your work to someone without a technical background, so being able to break down complex ideas is crucial. This shows not only your expertise but also your ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders.

✨Embrace Continuous Improvement

Demonstrate your self-motivation and detail-oriented mindset by discussing how you’ve contributed to process improvements in your past roles. Whether it’s through automation or using version control tools like GIT, showing that you’re always looking for ways to enhance efficiency will resonate well with the interviewers.

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