At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to design and build innovative data solutions for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join South West Water, a leader in the UK water sector committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, flexible working, and healthcare benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse culture that values inclusion and celebrates uniqueness.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming data into actionable insights for essential services.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading data engineering teams and delivering cloud-based data platforms.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
At South West Water, we're transforming how we use data to deliver essential services, improve customer outcomes, and support a sustainable future. We're looking for a Data Engineering Manager to lead our data engineering capability, someone who can combine technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking to unlock the full value of our data.
The Role
- Lead and develop a high-performing team of Data Engineers, driving the design, build, and operation of reliable, scalable data platforms and products.
- Play a key role in shaping how we deliver modern, cloud-based data engineering while ensuring the stability and evolution of legacy systems.
- Work closely with stakeholders across the organisation to help turn complex data into actionable insights that support business decisions and long-term strategy.
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead & Develop Talent: Build, coach, and mentor a motivated data engineering team, fostering growth and high performance.
- Drive Delivery: Plan and prioritise work aligned with business objectives and platform roadmap.
- Design & Build Modern Data Solutions: Deliver high-quality pipelines, data models, and products using tools such as Databricks and Microsoft Fabric.
- Manage Legacy Systems: Oversee maintenance and modernisation of SQL Server and SSIS environments.
- Champion Best Practice: Embed strong engineering standards including CI/CD, testing, security, and documentation.
- Improve Data Reliability: Continuously enhance data quality, stability, and performance.
- Collaborate Widely: Work across architecture, analytics, governance, and business teams to deliver impactful solutions.
- Ensure Operational Excellence: Balance innovation with platform reliability, cost efficiency, and performance.
- Influence Strategy: Contribute to future platform decisions, tooling, and ways of working.
- Measure Success: Define and track KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading and developing data engineering or technical teams.
- Strong background in delivering production-ready data platforms and pipelines.
- Experience with cloud data platforms (ideally Azure Databricks).
- Knowledge of legacy environments (SQL Server, SSIS) and migration approaches.
- Track record of delivering complex, outcome-focused data initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder engagement across technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience with DevOps / CI-CD practices for data platforms.
- Understanding of governance, security, and data quality in enterprise environments.
Qualifications Required:
- Degree in Computer Science, IT, or equivalent experience.
- Hands-on expertise in modern data engineering (ELT, lakehouse, medallion architecture, orchestration).
Desirable:
- Microsoft Fabric or Azure Databricks certification.
- ITIL Foundation or Managing Professional.
- Agile / Scrum certification.
What you'll get
Join us and help deliver a reliable, high-quality service for our customers across the South West. We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our Data Engineering Manager, you'll enjoy:
- Competitive Salary - Based on experience and skills.
- Annual Bonus Scheme - Recognising company performance.
- Pension Scheme - Helping you plan for your future.
- Flexible Working Options - We value work-life balance and offer flexible hours and hybrid working where possible.
- Healthcare Benefits - Access to employee assistance programs.
- Employee Discounts - On various products and services.
- Annual Leave - Take time to recharge with our holiday entitlement.
Closing Date: 23rd June 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness. Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid: Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You: We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future: Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Data Engineering Manager in Plymouth employer: South West Water
At South West Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and innovation. As a Data Engineering Manager, you'll lead a talented team in a role that not only drives impactful data solutions but also contributes to our mission of sustainability in one of the UK's most beautiful regions. With competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a commitment to employee well-being, we empower you to shape your career while making a meaningful difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineering Manager in Plymouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at South West Water on LinkedIn. 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 brushing up on your technical skills and leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled data challenges in the past and how you can lead a team to success.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for sustainability! Since South West Water is all about a greener future, make sure to highlight any relevant projects or initiatives you've been involved in that align with their mission.
✨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 Data Engineering Manager in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Data Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in data platforms, as this will catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our mission at South West Water. Share specific examples of your past achievements that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with tools like Azure Databricks and SQL Server. We want to see how you've used these technologies to deliver impactful data solutions in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Water
✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around cloud data platforms like Azure Databricks and legacy systems like SQL Server. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with modern data engineering practices, as well as any relevant certifications you might have.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Data Engineering Manager, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've built, coached, and mentored teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster growth and high performance, and be ready to discuss your approach to talent development.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll be collaborating with various teams, so it's crucial to demonstrate your stakeholder engagement skills. Think of instances where you've successfully communicated complex data insights to both technical and non-technical audiences, and be prepared to share those stories.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The role involves driving operational excellence and improving data reliability. Be ready to talk about how you've defined and tracked KPIs in previous roles, and share examples of how you've contributed to continuous improvement initiatives in data engineering.
