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- Tasks: Build innovative data pipelines and lead AI projects to enhance higher education.
- Company: Join the Office for Students, a dynamic regulator of higher education in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and a supportive culture focused on development.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative data journey that impacts students' lives.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills and experience with Azure Databricks are essential.
- Other info: Enjoy a collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
Principal Data Engineer role at Office for Students. Base pay range up to £72,000. 12 months fixed term contract. Location: Bristol.
About us: We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. We’re proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination.
The analytics & data engineering team are a newly formed team in the OfS. The team is there to make sure the analyst team and subsequently the business has the right information to carry out the functions of the organisation.
Why work for the OfS: The OfS's Data function is currently undergoing an exciting and major transformation and we’re looking for a talented data engineer to help lead the change. We’re moving away from a legacy on-premises platform to an Azure Databricks platform, unlocking new possibilities for automation and innovation. This is your opportunity to help develop new robust data products from the ground up, set best practice and introduce AI into the organisation to improve how we support the higher education sector and the needs of students.
Key responsibilities:
- Building and developing reusable pipelines for analytics and AI projects.
- Pushing for innovation within the platform to enable great efficiencies and detailed insights and outputs.
- Leading key relationships between IT and Data to grow the platform and release new capabilities.
- Deploying production AI models with automated monitoring from the data pipeline to the model runs and outputs.
- Extracting, Loading & Transforming (ELT) data sets from a variety of data sources across the OfS enterprise technology stack.
- Monitoring the execution of data workflows, including identifying and mitigating risks, setting service level indicators and configuring alerts.
- Adopting data governance best practice when processing raw data to develop, test and maintain datasets.
- Developing coding standards for Python programming to be used across the Data function.
- Supporting continuous data quality improvements across the organisation.
- Applying dimensional data modelling concepts and practices across the OfS data.
- Advocating and supporting an evidence-led culture across the organisation.
Essential experience & skills:
- Strong Python programming knowledge, ideally PySpark.
- Strong knowledge of the Azure Databricks platform and associated functionalities.
- Adaptable, with a willingness to work flexibly as the needs of the organisation evolve.
- Working well within a team, and able to work closely with internal and external stakeholders.
- An ability to take a logical and analytical approach, and to take a pragmatic, collaborative approach to solving problems.
- Adept at communicating technical concepts to a non-technical audience.
- Awareness of the modern data stack and associated methodologies.
Working for us: The OfS regulates the higher education sector on behalf of all students. We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do. We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Flexibility is important to the OfS, as we recognise that it can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation-wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two days in a typical week. To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working apply to this role.
Important dates:
- Closing date for applications: 8th September 2025
- Interviews: From 15 September 2025
Principal Data Engineer employer: Office for Students
Contact Detail:
Office for Students Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at the OfS. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with recruiters or during interviews, make sure to highlight your Python and Azure Databricks skills. Share specific examples of how you've used them to solve problems or drive innovation in past roles.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around data pipelines and AI models. Be ready to discuss your approach to ELT processes and how you ensure data quality. Confidence in your expertise can really set you apart!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the OfS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Data Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Python and Azure Databricks, as these are key skills we're looking for. Show us how your background aligns with our mission to enhance the higher education experience!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t just list your skills—give us examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love candidates who can think critically and work collaboratively to solve problems, so share those stories that demonstrate your analytical approach!
Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. Remember, we want to understand your experience and skills without getting lost in technical terms. Make it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This ensures that your application goes directly to our recruitment team, making it easier for us to review your details. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Python programming skills, especially with PySpark, and get familiar with Azure Databricks. Be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects and how they can be applied to the role at the Office for Students.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex data challenges in the past. Think about specific situations where you took a logical and analytical approach to solve problems, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Communicate Like a Pro
Since you'll need to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, practice simplifying your explanations. Use relatable analogies or examples to demonstrate your understanding without getting too bogged down in jargon.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Flexibility
The OfS values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively within teams. Highlight your adaptability and willingness to evolve with the organisation's needs, showcasing any experiences where you've successfully navigated change.