Junior Data Engineer in Leeds

Join to apply for the Junior Data Engineer role at Oakland. At Oakland, we help businesses unlock the power of their data. Whether it’s data strategy, governance, engineering, analytics or AI, we work with our clients to turn data into real, impactful results. Our team is made up of friendly, hands‑on experts who love solving problems and making a difference. We don’t just advise – we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, working alongside our clients every step of the way. Founded in 1986 out of our Leeds HQ, we work with a diverse range of clients across all sorts of industries including Utilities, Telecommunications, Media, Financial Services, Public Sector and many more! Our projects range from multi‑year data transformations to specific, shorter‑term assignments, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to diversify your skillset. We meet high standards for social and environmental impact, transparency and accountability. We believe businesses should be a force for good, so we make sure our decisions don’t just benefit the bottom line but also our people, communities and the planet.

As a Junior Data Engineer at Oakland you’ll be at the heart of delivering impactful technical solutions for our clients. No two projects are the same – you’ll work across varied industries, technologies and project sizes, constantly learning and sharpening your problem‑solving skills. Our work spans Data Platforms, AI, Analytics, Data Strategy and Management, and you’ll help deliver solutions that drive real business value. We’re tech‑agnostic and client‑first, choosing the right tools for the job – whether that’s leveraging our bespoke platform or partnering with major data platform and engineering providers. You’ll be part of a collaborative team of 15+ Data Engineers, with access to shared resources, support and expertise to help you thrive and grow.

What we are looking for:

• Ideally you’ll be a programmer at heart, excited by the prospect of working across different problems, projects and clients.
• At junior level, which is a step up from entry‑level in our structure, we expect you to have a basic understanding of core concepts of Data Engineering (data structures, databases, data manipulation, ETL, data quality).
• Ideally you can write moderately complex code and pipelines with guidance from more experienced Engineers, and you can spot and fix simple issues in code.
• An appetite to learn is a must.
• Experience working with business stakeholders and understanding commercial objectives is advantageous.

Skillset:

• Experience implementing data solutions in the cloud, e.g. Azure (preferred), AWS or GCP.
• Experience working with and manipulating structured & unstructured data.
• Experience working with modern data platforms, e.g. Fabric, Snowflake, Databricks.
• Web application builds.
• Experience using Data Visualisation tools such as Power BI.
• A basic understanding of the broader data ecosystem, including data modelling, DevOps, platform design and governance, and how these intersect with your work.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellbeing – Private Healthcare from day one for you and your household, including dental cover, physiotherapy, mental health support and access to a range of wellbeing services.
• Discretionary Bonus – Your hard work won’t go unnoticed.
• Generous Pension – 10% employer contribution plus flexible options.
• Electric Vehicle Scheme – Tax‑efficient options to get behind the wheel of an electric car.
• Giving Back – Payroll Giving Scheme and Matched Charitable Giving.
• Bike to Work Scheme – Save money, stay active, enjoy tax savings.
• Family‑Friendly Policies – Enhanced Maternity Pay (16 weeks full, 10 weeks half), Enhanced Paternity Pay (2 weeks full, 2 weeks half), Adoption, Surrogacy & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Treatment Support.
• Time to Recharge – 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, with allowance growing the longer you stay.
• Learning & Development – Personalised development plans, full support for certifications, access to The Oakland Academy, annual Personal Learning Budget.
• Refer & Earn – Referral bonus for bringing great people on board.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging:

At Oakland we believe that diverse perspectives drive better outcomes for our people, our clients and our business. Our commitment to DEIB isn’t just about policies; it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued and empowered to thrive. We are building a truly inclusive Oakland where you can be yourself, no matter your background, gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or any other characteristic that makes you, you.

Fair & Inclusive Hiring:

Every interviewer completes recruitment and unconscious bias training, and our hiring process is skills‑based and structured to ensure fairness and consistency for all candidates.

Support Throughout the Interview Process:

Need reasonable accommodations to make your interview experience more accessible? Our Talent team is here to help. Just let us know.