SC Cleared Data Engineer - Contract in London

SC Cleared Data Engineer - Contract in London

London Freelance Home office (partial)
Sanderson Government & Defence

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build and optimise secure cloud-based data pipelines for government analytics.
  • Company: Join a leading tech firm supporting central government projects.
  • Benefits: Earn up to £650 per day with flexible hybrid working.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on large-scale data programmes in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Active SC clearance and experience with AWS and Azure data platforms.

We're hiring an experienced SC‑cleared Data Engineer to support a large‑scale central government data programme. This role focuses on building, optimising, and maintaining secure, cloud‑based data pipelines to enable analytics, reporting, and insight across complex government environments.

You'll work as part of a multidisciplinary data team alongside architects, analysts, and platform engineers, contributing to modern data platforms spanning AWS and Microsoft ecosystems, with a strong emphasis on scalable, well‑governed data ingestion and transformation.

Key Requirements
  • Active Security Clearance (SC) - must be current and transferable
  • Proven experience as a Data Engineer within central government or regulated environments
  • Strong experience with AWS data services, including: Athena, Glue, and S3
  • Building and managing ETL/ELT pipelines
  • Experience working with Azure data platforms (e.g. Azure Data Lake, Synapse, Data Factory)
  • Strong SQL skills and experience working with large, complex datasets
  • Understanding of data security, access controls, and governance in secure environments
  • Comfortable collaborating with analysts, architects, and DevOps teams
Responsibilities
  • Build and maintain scalable, secure data pipelines across cloud platforms
  • Develop ETL/ELT solutions using AWS Glue, storing and querying data in S3 and Athena
  • Support downstream analytics and reporting, including Power BI consumption layers
  • Ensure data quality, reliability, and performance across ingestion and transformation processes
  • Implement data standards, governance controls, and best practices
  • Troubleshoot and optimise data workflows in live environments
  • Work closely with stakeholders to understand and refine data requirements
Working Pattern

1-2 days per week on‑site in London or Manchester. Remaining days remote, offering a flexible hybrid working model.

If you're an SC‑cleared Data Engineer with strong AWS (Athena, Glue, S3) and cloud data platform experience, and are looking for a central government contract paying up to £650/day, we'd be keen 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.

SC Cleared Data Engineer - Contract in London employer: Sanderson Government & Defence

As an employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diversity and innovation. With flexible hybrid working arrangements in London or Manchester, we offer competitive rates and the opportunity to work on impactful government data projects alongside a talented multidisciplinary team, ensuring ample growth and development opportunities for our employees.

Sanderson Government & Defence

Contact Detail:

Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land SC Cleared Data Engineer - Contract in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field, especially those with SC clearance. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those involving AWS and Azure. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice common interview questions related to data engineering and be ready to discuss your experience with ETL/ELT pipelines and cloud platforms.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are passionate about joining our team. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application.

We think you need these skills to ace SC Cleared Data Engineer - Contract in London

Active Security Clearance (SC)
Data Engineering
AWS Data Services
ETL/ELT Pipeline Management
Azure Data Platforms
Strong SQL Skills
Data Security and Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of SC Cleared Data Engineer. Highlight your experience with AWS services like Athena, Glue, and S3, as well as your work in regulated environments. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Showcase Your Projects:Include specific projects where you've built or optimised data pipelines. Talk about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This gives us a clear picture of your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and responsibilities. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.

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 makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your AWS and Azure data services knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Athena, Glue, and S3, as well as how you've built and managed ETL/ELT pipelines. The more specific examples you can provide, the better!

Understand Data Governance

Since this role involves working in secure environments, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of data security, access controls, and governance. Prepare to talk about how you've implemented data standards and best practices in your previous roles.

Collaborate Like a Pro

This position requires working closely with multidisciplinary teams. Think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with analysts, architects, or DevOps teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve contributed to team success.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Practice articulating how you would troubleshoot and optimise data workflows in live environments. Use real-life examples to showcase your analytical thinking and technical expertise.