At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build AI-ready data infrastructure for critical government programmes.
- Company: Fast-growing data consultancy focused on national security and innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private medical insurance, remote-first culture, and annual training allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive environment welcoming diverse backgrounds; excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a team of top engineers and work on mission-critical projects that matter.
- Qualifications: 5-6+ years in data engineering or architecture with strong AWS experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 140000 £ per year.
About the Opportunity
Sanderson G&D are partnering exclusively with a fast-growing data consultancy specialising in designing, building, and operating AI-ready data infrastructure for some of the UK's most complex and sensitive programmes. They work across government and national security, delivering secure, scalable, cloud-native solutions that handle data at scale - in real time and in batch. They are growing and looking for senior data professionals across three disciplines.
Roles We're Hiring For
- Data/AI Architect - Shape data strategy and architecture across high-profile, secure programmes. You'll design and implement scalable, cloud-native solutions on AWS and other platforms, provide technical leadership across cross-functional teams, and engage directly with senior stakeholders to translate requirements into actionable technical plans.
- AI Platform Engineers - Lead the development of backend services for a government client, with a focus on high availability, low latency, and scalability. You'll design, build, and deploy backend features, own continuous deployment pipelines, and operate within agile, cross-functional delivery teams.
- Data & AI Engineers - Build and maintain secure batch and real-time data pipelines for government clients. You'll work across data ingestion, modelling, and pipeline development, ensuring data is available, reliable, and aligned to target architectures.
What We're Looking For
Across all three roles, the following experience is relevant:
- 5-6+ years in a senior data engineering, architecture, or platform role
- Strong hands-on experience with AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, Redshift, Glue, Athena)
- Experience with real-time and batch data processing - Apache Flink, Kafka, Spark, or similar
- Proficiency in one or more of: Python, Java, Scala
- Experience with data modelling, ETL processes, and distributed systems
- Comfortable working in agile and DevOps environments
- Experience in sensitive or regulated data environments is highly desirable
- eDV eligibility is an essential requirement - candidates must be a sole UK national
Why This Opportunity?
This is not a typical consultancy. The bar to get in is high - deliberately so. You will be working alongside some of the best data engineers in the country, on platforms that genuinely matter. These are not internal IT projects. This is mission-critical infrastructure that underpins national security. Beyond the work itself, this is a business that is growing quickly, investing heavily in its technology, and giving its people real ownership of that journey. If you want to be at the leading edge of secure data infrastructure - surrounded by engineers who take their craft seriously - it is worth a conversation.
Benefits include:
- Pension
- Private Medical Insurance (company provided, with buy-up for family)
- Annual wellbeing allowance
- Virtual GP
- Employee Assistance Programme (mental health, legal support, and more)
- Annual training allowance (post-probation)
- Tech scheme and voluntary benefits including dental, critical illness, and travel insurance
- Remote-first working culture
Further Details
Location: Cheltenham
Salary: £80,000 - £140,000 depending on role and experience
Clearance: eDV eligibility essential - sole UK nationals only
Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
AI and Data Engineers/Architects (Security Cleared) employer: Sanderson Government and Defence
Join a fast-growing data consultancy in Cheltenham that is at the forefront of designing and operating AI-ready data infrastructure for critical government and national security programmes. With a strong focus on employee growth, a remote-first working culture, and comprehensive benefits including private medical insurance and annual training allowances, this company offers a unique opportunity to work alongside top-tier data professionals on mission-critical projects that truly matter.
Contact Details:
Sanderson Government and Defence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI and Data Engineers/Architects (Security Cleared)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially their work in AI and data infrastructure. Be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs and showcase your experience with AWS and real-time data processing.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Whether it's a GitHub repo or a portfolio, having tangible examples of your work can set you apart. Highlight any relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise in data engineering and architecture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and get noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to mission-critical projects.
We think you need these skills to ace AI and Data Engineers/Architects (Security Cleared)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role you're applying for. Highlight your experience with AWS and any relevant data processing tools like Apache Flink or Kafka. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
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 your background makes you a great fit for our team. Let us know what excites you about working on mission-critical infrastructure.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any interesting projects, especially in sensitive or regulated environments, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so don't hold back!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government and Defence
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially AWS services like EC2, S3, and Lambda. Brush up on your experience with real-time and batch data processing tools like Apache Flink or Kafka, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. This is particularly important for roles that involve sensitive data environments, so think of examples that highlight your ability to work under pressure and deliver secure solutions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since the role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that non-technical people can understand. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams, which is crucial for success in this position.
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork and Agile Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience working in agile and DevOps environments. Highlight any cross-functional team projects you've been part of, as collaboration is key in this consultancy. Show that you can adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting.
