At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering projects, mentor teams, and drive innovative cloud solutions.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking financial services company embracing data modernisation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share scheme, and remote work flexibility.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data in finance and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Expertise in GCP, data engineering, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 84000 - 84000 £ per year.
Financial Services
Permanent - Remote (UK) - Applicants must have the right to work in the UK
Salary: £84,000 + Share scheme incentive
We're looking for a Staff Data Engineer to provide technical leadership across our Data organisation, driving strategy, influencing architectural direction, and enabling engineering excellence at scale.
As a Staff Data Engineer, you’ll be the most senior technical authority within your area, setting direction, defining best practice, and guiding cross‑functional teams through complex data modernisation. You’ll work closely with Principal Engineers, Architects, Product Leads and engineering squads to build scalable, cloud‑native data solutions that support our long‑term technology strategy. This role blends hands‑on technical expertise, strategic thinking, and influential leadership. You’ll mentor engineers, shape the technical roadmap, drive continuous improvement, and ensure engineering quality across large‑scale programmes including platform modernisation, migration of major data estates, and delivery of new data capabilities.
What You’ll Do
- Provide technical leadership across squads, guiding engineers and influencing architectural decisions.
- Design and oversee high‑quality, scalable data solutions aligned to cloud‑native best practice.
- Drive improvements across CI/CD, automation, testing, resilience, and secure engineering.
- Identify opportunities across the data estate to modernise platforms and improve performance.
- Collaborate with Architecture, InfoSec, Data Governance and cross‑functional teams (AI, SRE, Engineering, Test, Platform).
- Mentor and develop engineers, helping build a high‑performing Data capability.
- Support planning cycles and contribute to shaping the technical roadmap.
Tech You’ll Work With
We’re looking for deep expertise across modern data engineering, including:
- Cloud: GCP (preferred) or Azure
- Data & Analytics: BigQuery, SQL/NoSQL, Kimball modelling, DBT, Looker
- Pipelines: ETL/ELT, orchestration (Airflow), real‑time streaming (DataStream, Pub/Sub)
- Architecture: Medallion / Lakehouse
- Engineering: Python or Java (expert level), CI/CD, automated testing
- Infrastructure: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform
What We’re Looking For
- Strong strategic thinking and the ability to influence engineering direction at scale.
- A passion for improving ways of working, uplifting engineering capability, and solving complex technical challenges.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership through influence.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to join a growing Data organisation during a major modernisation journey. You'll have the autonomy to shape engineering practices, drive large-scale change, and make a real impact across a key area of the business. If you're excited by the chance to lead, innovate, and build the future of data in financial services—we’d love to hear from you.
Staff Data Engineer (GCP) employer: Sanderson
Join a forward-thinking financial services company that prioritises innovation and employee growth. As a Staff Data Engineer, you'll enjoy a remote working environment in the UK, competitive salary, and share scheme incentives, all while being part of a collaborative culture that values technical leadership and continuous improvement. With opportunities to mentor fellow engineers and influence architectural direction, this role offers a meaningful chance to shape the future of data solutions in a dynamic industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Data Engineer (GCP)
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience—show it! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving GCP, data pipelines, or any relevant tech. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data engineering. Think about how you’d tackle real-world problems and be ready to discuss your thought process. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you on our website. Don’t miss out—apply directly through us to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table!
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Data Engineer (GCP)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Staff Data Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in GCP, data engineering, and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can drive strategy and influence architectural decisions!
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 experience makes you the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your enthusiasm for mentoring and improving engineering practices.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical prowess, especially in areas like Python, CI/CD, and cloud-native solutions. We’re looking for someone who can design scalable data solutions, so give us examples of your past work that demonstrate this!
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 at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Staff Data Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in GCP and related technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of BigQuery, SQL/NoSQL, and data pipelines. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects and how they can be applied to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership and mentoring abilities. Prepare examples of how you've influenced architectural decisions or guided teams through complex projects. Highlight your experience in driving improvements and fostering collaboration across cross-functional teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about challenges you've faced in data engineering and how you approached them. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you modernised platforms or improved performance.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Excellent communication is key for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing technical concepts. Remember, it's not just about what you know, but how you convey that knowledge to others, including non-technical stakeholders.
