At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build automated testing frameworks to ensure data quality across platforms.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Unlimited free travel, generous pension scheme, and tailored training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone feels they belong.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data integrity and enhance customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in data testing, strong SQL skills, and familiarity with cloud platforms.
The predicted salary is between 43850 - 43850 € per year.
Data can tell powerful stories – but only when it’s trusted. As part of our team at Northern, you’d be the person ensuring that trust is well placed. Working at the heart of our Data and Analytics function, you’ll help shape how data is tested, validated, and relied upon across the business. From customer journeys to operational performance, our decisions depend on data being accurate, complete, and ready when it’s needed. That’s where you come in. You’ll bring an engineering‑led approach to testing, blending hands‑on manual testing with smart automation to ensure our data platform and data lake deliver quality at scale.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Designing and building automated testing frameworks to validate data across pipelines, transformations, and datasets
- Carrying out manual testing where it adds the most value, especially for complex scenarios
- Embedding testing into the data lifecycle – from ingestion through to transformation and delivery
- Working closely with data engineers, analysts and platform teams to define test approaches and quality standards
- Integrating automated tests into CI/CD pipelines so quality is built in, not bolted on
- Spotting data issues early, investigating root causes and working with teams to resolve them
- Creating clear documentation and reporting on data quality, risks and testing outcomes
- Contributing to better ways of working by improving frameworks, standards and reusable tools
- Supporting audit and compliance needs by ensuring testing is traceable and well documented
About You
Data testing isn’t just something you do – it’s something you think about. You understand how data moves, where it can go wrong, and how to catch issues before they cause problems.
What You’ll Bring With You
- Experience testing data platforms, data lakes or ETL processes
- Strong SQL skills and experience with at least one programming language such as Python, Java or Scala
- Confidence working with data testing or validation tools – for example Great Expectations, dbt or similar
- An understanding of automated testing approaches, including TDD and BDD
- Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud and modern data technologies
- A collaborative approach – comfortable working with both technical teams and business stakeholders
- A problem‑solving mindset, with the curiosity to dig into data and the drive to improve how things work
If you’ve helped teams move from manual testing to smarter, automated approaches – even better.
What’s in it for you?
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Electric Car Scheme: Lease a brand new electric or plug‑in hybrid car.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle and more.
- Training and Career Development: Tailored training to colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications plus enhanced career pathways.
- Recognition: Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
A place for everyone: At Northern we build a team where everyone feels they belong. We can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re a Level 2 Disability Confident employer and we always offer an interview to anyone who meets the criteria for the role. We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and ensure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
Data Test Engineer in Leeds employer: Northern
At Northern, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values collaboration and innovation. As a Data Test Engineer in Leeds, you'll enjoy generous benefits such as unlimited free travel for you and your family, a robust pension scheme, and tailored training opportunities to foster your career growth. Join us in shaping the future of rail travel while being part of a team that celebrates diversity and supports your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Test Engineer in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current employees at Northern. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your SQL and programming skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with data testing tools and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past. We want to see your problem-solving mindset in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your collaborative spirit! During interviews, highlight times when you’ve worked closely with technical teams or business stakeholders. It’s all about demonstrating that you can bridge the gap between tech and business.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Northern team. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Test Engineer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Data Test Engineer role. Highlight your experience with data platforms, SQL skills, and any relevant tools you've used. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, share examples of how you've tackled data issues in the past. We love a good story about spotting problems early and working collaboratively to resolve them. It shows us you're the right fit for our team!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point – it makes our job easier when reviewing!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application in our system. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northern
✨Know Your Data Testing Tools
Familiarise yourself with data testing and validation tools like Great Expectations or dbt. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects, as this will show your hands-on experience and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your SQL Skills
Brush up on your SQL skills before the interview. Prepare to answer questions that test your ability to write complex queries and manipulate data, as strong SQL knowledge is crucial for a Data Test Engineer.
✨Understand Automated Testing Approaches
Be prepared to discuss automated testing methodologies such as TDD and BDD. Share examples of how you've implemented these approaches in previous roles, highlighting your engineering-led mindset towards testing.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Demonstrate your collaborative approach by discussing how you've worked with data engineers and analysts in the past. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and business stakeholders, as this is key to success in the role.
