Senior Data Engineer in Essex

Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £50,296 – £53,460

Location: Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, CM8 3HB

Closing Date: 16th August 2026

We are open to discuss working arrangements including flexibility over hours and location, however the expectation is that, as a hybrid role your work will be balanced between home and Services facilities, and you will be expected to attend the Service premises for at least 3 days of a 5-day working week.

The Role

Do you have a passion for data and a desire to use it to make a meaningful impact? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Data Engineer to lead our Data Engineering function within the Performance and Analytics Team at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Working across our Microsoft Fabric data platform and on-premises databases, you will lead a small team responsible for delivering data models, pipelines and data science products that enable evidence-based decision making across the Service. Your work will help colleagues target resources and activities towards the areas of our communities most at risk of harm.

What You Will Be Working On

• Lead and develop a small, talented team of data professionals.
• Design, build and maintain robust data engineering solutions using Microsoft Fabric and related technologies.
• Support the delivery of data science and analytics products that drive operational and strategic decision making.
• Promote best practice in data management, coding standards and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the Service to understand business needs and translate them into effective data solutions.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to team members.

What Are We Looking For?

We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring leader with strong technical expertise and a genuine enthusiasm for using data to improve outcomes. You will have:

• Significant experience in data engineering, ideally within a Microsoft Fabric environment.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing technical teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to a range of audiences.
• The ability to produce clear, maintainable and reusable code and documentation.
• Experience working with multiple technologies, tools and programming languages.
• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Importantly, you will be comfortable working as part of a wider Performance and Analytics function, collaborating closely with analysts, data scientists and business stakeholders to deliver solutions that support organisational priorities. You will be a confident decision-maker, capable of balancing technical best practice with operational needs. You will understand that while engineering quality, resilience and sustainability are important, there will be times when the organisation needs pragmatic solutions delivered at pace. You will able to assess competing priorities, make sound judgements and maintain a focus on achieving outcomes that provide value to the Service.

We are looking for someone who can think strategically, understand the bigger organisational picture and ensure that data engineering decisions contribute to wider business objectives rather than solely technical considerations.

If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees. You can find out more about our benefits at https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/recruitment/benefits

Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners

If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced. For further guidance, please contact our Pensions team on 01376 576799 or email mailbox.pensions@essex-fire.gov.uk

Safeguarding

Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service. You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults. The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying. This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit. Should you wish to discuss support, or access further information, from one of these groups, please contact Equality.Diversity@essex-fire.gov.uk. You are also able to raise any queries or requests for support, including any adjustments you may require, at any stage of the process by email to recruitment@essex-fire.gov.uk. You can find out more about Essex County Fire & Rescue Service via www.essex-fire.gov.uk and about our vacancies and application processes via www.essex-fire.gov.uk/join-essex-fire.