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- Tasks: Lead and mentor teams in building scalable, cloud-native data solutions.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on AI and data innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering and drive impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in cloud data engineering and strong SQL skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and quality.
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 Slough 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 Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Data Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving cloud-native solutions and AI-ready engineering practices. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with SQL, Python, and CI/CD pipelines, as well as how you've influenced teams and driven innovation in past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer | Cloud, AI & Data Platforms | GCP, Python, SQL in Slough
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 expertise in cloud data engineering, SQL, and Python, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about data engineering and how your experience can drive innovation at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention any leadership roles or mentoring experiences you've had!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t just list your technical skills; provide examples of how you’ve applied them in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s optimising SQL queries or designing scalable solutions, we want to see your impact!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
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
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in technical leadership and mentorship. Think about times when you’ve guided teams or influenced stakeholders, as this role requires strong collaboration and communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios or case studies during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process for designing scalable data architectures or optimising performance, as this will showcase your strategic thinking.
✨Align with Business Goals
Understand the company’s vision and how the data engineering role fits into their broader strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to business growth and innovation through your technical expertise and leadership.