At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a cloud-based data platform and design robust data pipelines.
- Company: Join Scottish Water, a trusted organisation dedicated to serving Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days of holiday, flexible working, and a competitive salary with bonuses.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent opportunities for learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning data into actionable insights for better decision-making.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in Azure data engineering and strong programming skills in Python and SQL.
The predicted salary is between 54776 - 74386 £ per year.
We are seeking a Principal Data Engineer to join our Business Analytics team and lead the development of our cloud‑based data platform. Our team’s mission is to turn data into actionable insights that support better decision‑making and deliver measurable value for the business. To enable this, we have built an Azure data platform based on lakehouse architecture. The platform leverages Fabric and Azure Databricks and provides a secure, governed and trusted foundation for our data. It offers a consistent and safe environment to develop, deploy and scale data products and AI/ML solutions, ensuring insights can be shared efficiently and used with confidence across the organisation.
We are an ambitious team that uses data, advanced analytics and cloud technologies to design and deliver digital solutions that help colleagues drive improvements in key business areas, including asset management and water quality. We work closely with stakeholders through an inclusive and collaborative approach to focus on the right problems and deliver outcomes that are genuinely useful. Our Business Analytics function brings together a strong pool of talent and provides excellent opportunities for learning, development and growth.
The role involves being the senior technical authority for data engineering in our organisation. This is a hands‑on leadership role with no direct line‑management duties, where you will set the standards and technical direction for our data engineering practice. You will guide the design and implementation of robust data pipelines and architectures on Azure, ensure high‑quality engineering outcomes through code reviews and mentoring, and spearhead innovation in tools and techniques. You will work closely with data scientists, solution developers, enterprise architects and platform engineers to ensure our data ecosystem is reliable, scalable and delivers value. You will also act as the key technical liaison with our external Digital partners, ensuring alignment with our standards and providing technical assurance on joint initiatives.
What you will do:
- You will own and evolve data engineering standards and guiding technical principles across the Azure data analytics estate, acting as the technical authority for data engineering and ensuring high‑quality, well‑assured engineering outcomes.
- This includes gatekeeping pull requests in Azure DevOps for changes to production data pipelines and leading the research and development of new tools, patterns and platform capabilities within the analytics environment.
- You will 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.
- Collaboration is central to the role, and you will work closely with analytics, data science, architecture and platform teams, as well as with the Platform Product Owner and Technical Support Team Lead to transition established solutions into support.
What you’ll bring:
Essential skills and experience:
- 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, supported by strong programming skills in Python and SQL, with Spark experience desirable.
- Expertise working within DevOps CI/CD environments using Azure DevOps and a solid 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.
- Familiarity with Infrastructure as Code, for example Terraform or Bicep.
- Azure certifications.
Benefits:
This is a full‑time (35 hours per week) role. You’ll receive 38 days of holiday every year (including public holidays) and can purchase five additional days if needed. Paid time off to volunteer in your community, flexible working and family‑friendly policies around adoption, maternity and parental leave. Pension and life assurance are provided. You can expect an annual company bonus and access to SW Splash rewards.
Salary and progression:
This role will be a Grade 8. If you’re new to Scottish Water, you’ll join us on a starting salary of £54,776. Performance‑driven pay progression would then allow you to move through the range to a maximum of £74,386. Applications will be accepted until midnight on 2nd June 2026. Scottish Water operates a balanced hybrid working model and encourages staff to work half their time in a Scottish Water location.
Principal Azure Data Engineer: Lakehouse & Platforms employer: Scottish Water
Scottish Water is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a collaborative work culture where innovation thrives. With generous benefits including 38 days of holiday, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for community engagement, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while advancing their careers in a supportive environment. Located in the vibrant cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, our team is dedicated to harnessing data to drive improvements in essential services, making this a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Azure Data Engineer: Lakehouse & Platforms
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company’s projects and values. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission of turning data into actionable insights. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills in practical ways! If you’ve worked on relevant projects, be ready to discuss them in detail. Maybe even bring along a portfolio or examples of your work to demonstrate your expertise in Azure and data engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can keep you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for their team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Azure Data Engineer: Lakehouse & Platforms
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Data Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Azure, data pipelines, and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
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 expertise fits with our mission at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention specific technologies like Azure Data Lake and Databricks that you've worked with.
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since collaboration is key in this role, share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Whether it's data scientists or platform engineers, we want to know how you’ve contributed to successful projects through teamwork.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Water
✨Know Your Azure Inside Out
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 technologies in past projects, as well as any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Data Pipeline Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience designing and building scalable data pipelines. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your ability to ensure data quality, security, and governance, especially in regulated environments.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss your collaborative experiences. Highlight instances where you’ve successfully influenced stakeholders or worked with data scientists and platform engineers to deliver outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current projects, the team dynamics, or how they measure success in their data engineering practice.
