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- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of innovative database solutions for a major financial institution.
- Company: Join HSBC, a global leader in banking with a focus on technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on cutting-edge technology and career advancement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of database technology while making a real impact in the finance sector.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering, with strong database expertise and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield, UK
Position Type: Contract Inside IR35
Implementation Partner – HSBC
Remote work option Available: Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite
We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with deep expertise in database technologies and strong engineering skills to help accelerate the delivery of DBaaS in 2026.
Role Overview
As a Principal Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping our technology direction and delivering solutions. This is a hands-on leadership position, working closely with cross-functional teams to design and implement new products and services that meet business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Co-lead the design and architecture of on-premises DBaaS solutions for Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server, and work with teams to implement these solutions.
- Develop and maintain the long-term strategy for database infrastructure, ensuring alignment with Client's IT and business objectives.
- Serve as a subject matter expert and advisor on database technologies, providing guidance to senior leadership and IT teams.
- Collaborate with Product Owners, Architects, and stakeholders to define technical requirements and specifications.
- Stay up to date with industry trends and advancements in engineering practices, and recommend relevant solutions.
- Support the Platform Lead in identifying and addressing engineering challenges.
- Facilitate the development of cross-functional capabilities to address common technical gaps.
- Act as a key decision-maker for technical and risk-related engineering matters.
- Identify opportunities to improve and automate processes.
Experience and Qualifications
- Strong technical proficiency in database technologies (relational, NoSQL, distributed SQL), deployed on IaaS or as part of DBaaS, with an understanding of consumer use cases and infrastructure capabilities.
- Proven experience leading large, enterprise-level engineering projects and delivering quality solutions.
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or principal engineering role.
- Expertise in infrastructure components, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
- Hands-on experience with microservices, software development, infrastructure automation, API development, and basic application systems design.
- Strong understanding of Site Reliability Engineering, DevOps practices (CI/CD/CT pipelines, automated testing, code scanning), and Infrastructure as Code.
- Knowledge of industry-standard testing practices and tools.
- Demonstrated technical leadership, team-building, and influencing skills.
- Experience working in a global, matrixed organization.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and best practices in the financial industry.
- Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience evaluating multiple technology solutions to determine the best fit for specific use cases.
Head / Director Database Engineer in Sheffield employer: Vallum Associates
Contact Detail:
Vallum Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head / Director Database Engineer in Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at HSBC or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job opportunities that aren't even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the latest trends in database technologies. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership experience! Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve led teams to success. Highlighting your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head / Director Database Engineer in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Head / Director Database Engineer. Highlight your experience with database technologies and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of your past projects and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical skills! Mention your experience with Postgres, MongoDB, SQL Server, and any other relevant technologies. We’re keen to see how you’ve applied these in real-world scenarios.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vallum Associates
✨Know Your Databases Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Postgres, MongoDB, and SQL Server. Be ready to discuss specific use cases and how you've implemented these technologies in past projects. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tech but can also apply it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head/Director Database Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead large engineering projects. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, made key decisions, and influenced stakeholders in previous roles. This will highlight your leadership capabilities.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in database technologies and engineering practices. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact the role and the company. Showing that you’re proactive about learning will impress your interviewers.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
You’ll need to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. This will help you convey your expertise effectively during the interview.