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- Tasks: Lead and mentor teams in building scalable, cloud-native data solutions.
- Company: Innovative tech firm at the forefront of AI and data platforms.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering and drive impactful innovations.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in cloud data engineering, SQL, and Python.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with a focus on quality and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership across complex, large-scale data platforms and engineering teams. This role sits at the intersection of data engineering, architecture, and strategic technology leadership, driving the design and delivery of scalable, cloud-native, AI-ready solutions.
You will act as a senior technical authority, shaping engineering standards, guiding architecture decisions, and partnering with cross-functional leaders to deliver high-impact data products that support business growth and innovation.
Key Responsibilities- Technical Leadership & Mentorship
- Act as a senior engineering authority across multiple agile squads
- Mentor engineers and uplift technical capability across teams
- Provide deep technical guidance on complex systems, components, and features
- Architecture & Design
- Define and evolve enterprise-scale data architecture and engineering patterns
- Bridge Data Engineering, Architecture, and wider Technology teams
- Design scalable, cloud-native solutions aligned to long-term platform strategy
- Engineering Standards & Excellence
- Establish coding standards, best practices, and reusable frameworks
- Drive CI/CD adoption, automated testing, and robust data validation practices
- Lead initiatives around observability, monitoring, and performance optimisation
- Innovation & Delivery
- Translate complex requirements into scalable technical solutions
- Drive adoption of modern tools, frameworks, and AI-ready engineering practices
- Build frameworks supporting automation, CI/CD, and future platform capabilities
- Strategic Influence
- Partner with senior stakeholders, architects, and product leaders on roadmap direction
- Align engineering execution with business priorities and data strategy
- Collaborate with other Principal Engineers to ensure consistency across domains
- Extensive experience in cloud data engineering and large-scale distributed systems
- Strong expertise in SQL (advanced optimisation and performance tuning, ideally BigQuery)
- Proficiency in Python and/or Node.js within production environments
- Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins or similar tools)
- Deep knowledge of data modelling, data architecture, and semantic layer design
- Strong understanding of data quality, governance, and secure data handling practices
- Experience in observability, monitoring, and production system reliability
- Proven ability to influence senior technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex concepts
- Experience leading through technical direction rather than direct line management
- Strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, architecture, and product
- Scalable, reliable, and well-governed data platforms
- Consistent engineering standards across teams
- Improved system performance, observability, and data quality
- Clear technical alignment across architecture and engineering functions
- Strong engineering culture driven by quality, ownership, and innovation
Principal Data Engineer | Cloud, AI & Data Platforms | GCP, Python, SQL in London employer: SoTalent
Contact Detail:
SoTalent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer | Cloud, AI & Data Platforms | GCP, Python, SQL in London
✨Tip Number 1
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. It’s all about making those connections that could lead to your next opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving cloud data engineering, SQL, and Python. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 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 seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company. Let’s get you that Principal Data Engineer role!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer | Cloud, AI & Data Platforms | GCP, Python, SQL in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with cloud data engineering, SQL, and Python. We want to see how you've tackled complex systems and what tools you've used to deliver scalable solutions.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences that match our job description. We love seeing how you align with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your achievements and technical expertise. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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!
How to prepare for a job interview at SoTalent
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially GCP, SQL, and Python. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud-native solutions and be ready to discuss how you've applied these skills in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've influenced technical decisions or uplifted team capabilities in previous roles. Highlight your experience in guiding architecture decisions and establishing engineering standards.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and technical judgement. Think about complex systems you've worked on and be ready to explain your thought process in designing scalable solutions. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Align with Business Goals
Understand the company's data strategy and how your role fits into it. Be prepared to discuss how you can partner with stakeholders to align engineering execution with business priorities. Show that you can translate technical requirements into impactful business outcomes.