At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering on Azure, mentor teams, and innovate with cutting-edge tools.
- Company: Join Scottish Water, a trusted organisation dedicated to serving Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, flexible working, and community volunteering time.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on data solutions that enhance asset management and water quality.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in Azure data platforms and strong programming skills in Python and SQL.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Overview: Together we are Trusted to Serve Scotland. The Business Analytics team is building a cloud‑based data platform on Azure lakehouse architecture, using Fabric and Azure Databricks, to turn data into actionable insights that support decision‑making across the organisation. This role is a key part of delivering digital solutions that improve asset management and water quality.
Role: As Principal Data Engineer you will be the senior technical authority for data engineering across the organisation, setting standards and technical direction without direct line management. You will mentor, code‑review and drive innovation in tools and techniques, ensuring our data ecosystem is reliable, scalable and governed.
Responsibilities:
- Own and evolve data engineering standards and guiding principles across the Azure data analytics estate.
- Gatekeep pull requests in Azure DevOps for changes to production data pipelines.
- Lead research and development of new tools, patterns and platform capabilities within the analytics environment.
- Design and assure technical designs for all projects on the Analytics platform and undertake hands‑on development for proof‑of‑concept work and complex technical initiatives.
- Collaborate closely with analytics, data science, architecture and platform teams, as well as the Platform Product Owner and Technical Support Team Lead, to transition established solutions into support.
- Act as the key technical liaison with external Digital partners, ensuring alignment with internal standards and providing technical assurance on joint initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Significant hands‑on experience as a senior or principal Data Engineer on Microsoft Azure.
- Strong experience of modern Azure data platforms such as Azure Data Lake, Microsoft Fabric and Databricks.
- Proven ability to design and build scalable, secure data pipelines and lakehouse architectures.
- Strong programming skills in Python and SQL; Spark experience desirable.
- Experience with DevOps CI/CD using Azure DevOps.
- Understanding of data quality, security and governance in regulated environments.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to influence through technical expertise.
- Desirable experience with streaming or IoT data, Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or Bicep) and Azure certifications.
Benefits:
- Full‑time (35 hours per week) role.
- 38 days holiday per year, with the option to purchase additional days.
- Paid time off to volunteer in the community.
- Family‑friendly policies including adoption, maternity and parental leave.
- Flexible working: balanced hybrid model with the option to work from a Scottish Water location half the time.
- Pension and life assurance.
- Annual company bonus.
- Access to SW Splash rewards.
EEO Statement: Scottish Water is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
Principal Digital Specialist - Principal Data Engineer (Azure) in Dartford employer: Scottish Water
Scottish Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets community service. As a Principal Data Engineer, you will not only lead the charge in developing cutting-edge data solutions but also enjoy a supportive culture that prioritises employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and generous benefits including 38 days of holiday and paid volunteer time. Join us in making a meaningful impact on Scotland's water quality while advancing your career in a collaborative and forward-thinking team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Digital Specialist - Principal Data Engineer (Azure) in Dartford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those already working at Scottish Water. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to Azure, data engineering, or anything relevant, make sure to highlight that during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python, SQL, and Azure knowledge. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the format.
✨Tip Number 4
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 team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Digital Specialist - Principal Data Engineer (Azure) in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Principal Data Engineer. Highlight your hands-on experience with Azure and any relevant projects you've worked on. 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 you can contribute to our cloud-based data platform. Let us know what excites you about working with us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your programming skills in Python and SQL. If you have experience with Azure DevOps or building scalable data pipelines, make sure to include that! We love seeing concrete examples of your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Water
✨Know Your Azure Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Azure Data Lake, Microsoft Fabric, and Databricks. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Show Off Your Coding Skills
Since strong programming skills in Python and SQL are crucial for this role, prepare to demonstrate your coding abilities. You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot, so practice coding challenges beforehand to boost your confidence.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Principal Data Engineer, you'll need to influence others with your technical expertise. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, and be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about data quality, security, and governance, especially in regulated environments. Think of examples from your experience that highlight your understanding of these topics and how you've implemented best practices in your work.
