At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of high-performance backend services in a secure, cloud-native environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic team supporting major UK Government projects with cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Salary up to £140,000, excellent career progression, and a strong engineering culture.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on critical national programmes while working with innovative data technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong Java development experience and expertise in building distributed backend systems.
The predicted salary is between 140000 - 140000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly capable Lead Data Platform Engineer to support a major UK Government client, leading the design and development of high-performance backend services within a secure, cloud-native environment. You will play a key role in building scalable, resilient, and low-latency data platforms, working with modern open-source and commercial technologies while driving engineering excellence across the team.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, document, and deploy backend services and platform features
- Ensure solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements, including performance, scalability, and availability
- Contribute to story elaboration and estimation within Agile delivery teams
- Deliver frequent, incremental releases to maintain delivery momentum
- Collaborate across cross-functional teams, fostering a shared ownership culture
- Build, optimise, and maintain CI/CD and Continuous Deployment pipelines
- Take operational ownership of services, ensuring reliability and performance in production
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong experience in Java development, including:
- Core Java
- Spring Boot frameworks
- Proven experience building distributed backend systems
- Hands-on experience with Kafka (or similar streaming platforms)
- Experience with Scala and Apache Spark for data processing
- Integration with backend services such as:
- PostgreSQL
- Redis
- S3 (or equivalent object storage)
- Expertise in modern engineering practices, including:
- Continuous delivery
- Clean code principles
- Automated testing & TDD
- Code reviews and documentation
- Experience working in Agile / DevOps environments
- Proficiency with Git-based source control (GitHub / GitLab)
- Experience working with Big Data technologies
- Strong hands-on experience with AWS or other public cloud platforms
Desirable Skills
- Experience designing and operating high-throughput, real-time data platforms
- Familiarity with microservices architectures
- Exposure to infrastructure as code and platform engineering practices
- Experience working in secure or regulated environments
Security Requirements
- Must currently hold SC clearance
- Must be eligible and willing to obtain DV clearance
What's on Offer
- Salary up to £140,000 (depending on experience)
- Opportunity to lead engineering on critical national programmes
- Work with cutting-edge data, streaming, and cloud technologies
- Strong engineering culture focused on quality and continuous improvement
- Excellent career progression and development opportunities
If you are an experienced platform engineer ready to lead the delivery of high-performance systems in a secure environment, we'd love to hear from you.
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.
Lead Data Platform Engineer (DV Clearable) - Up to £140,000 in Slough employer: Sanderson Government and Defence
As a Lead Data Platform Engineer, you will join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and excellence in engineering. With a strong focus on career progression, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in a collaborative and inclusive environment, all while contributing to critical national programmes. The hybrid working model and commitment to employee well-being make this an exceptional place to grow your career.
Contact Details:
Sanderson Government and Defence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Platform Engineer (DV Clearable) - Up to £140,000 in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work in data engineering or with government clients. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Java, Spring Boot, or cloud technologies. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do beyond your CV.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions related to backend systems and Agile methodologies. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Platform Engineer (DV Clearable) - Up to £140,000 in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Platform Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Java, Spring Boot, and any relevant cloud technologies. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, make sure to mention them! Whether it's building distributed systems or using Kafka, we want to know what you've done and how it relates to our needs.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government and Defence
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Java, Spring Boot, and Kafka. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and be ready to discuss how you've used these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly around building scalable data platforms. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your problem-solving abilities.
✨Understand Agile and DevOps Principles
Since the role involves working in Agile delivery teams, be prepared to talk about your experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices. Share examples of how you’ve contributed to CI/CD pipelines and maintained high-quality code through automated testing.
✨Cultural Fit and Collaboration
This position requires collaboration across cross-functional teams, so be ready to discuss how you foster a shared ownership culture. Highlight any experiences where you’ve worked closely with others to achieve common goals, as this will show you’re a team player.
