At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of scalable data pipelines in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a technologically ambitious organisation in West London with a hybrid working model.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 15% bonus, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Supportive culture with a focus on professional development and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering and make impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong technical leadership and advanced SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 95000 € per year.
Location: West London (Hybrid - 3 days per week on‑site)
Salary: Competitive + 15% bonus
The Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced Principal Data Engineer to provide technical leadership across data engineering capability within a complex, operationally‑focused organisation. This role will sit at the heart of the data platform function, shaping engineering standards, driving best practice, and enabling scalable, secure and high‑performing data solutions that support critical business decision‑making.
Preferred Background
Candidates with experience gained in logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, industrial, or similarly complex operational environments are particularly well suited to this role. Experience working with high‑volume, mission‑critical data in asset‑or operations‑heavy organisations is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the technical authority for data engineering best practice across multiple delivery teams
- Lead the design, build, testing and deployment of scalable, resilient data pipelines
- Own the reliability and performance of core data products, including monitoring and incident management
- Set and enforce standards for code quality, automation, documentation and version control
- Lead service reviews, root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
- Support and coach senior engineers, contributing to capability growth and technical excellence
- Influence technical direction and architectural decisions across the data landscape
- Work closely with data product teams to improve developer experience and resolve data issues
- Line manage Senior Data Engineers and support their professional development
- Participate in an on‑call rota supporting live data platforms
Skills & Experience
- Strong hands‑on technical leadership within data engineering environments
- Advanced SQL development skills
- Deep experience designing and operating cloud‑based data platforms
- Strong knowledge of data ingestion, transformation and storage patterns
- Experience with modern data tooling (e.g. Snowflake, AWS, dbt, or comparable platforms)
- Solid understanding of enterprise data management, governance and security at scale
- Expertise in CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, monitoring and production support
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively in complex, ambiguous environments
- Pragmatic, delivery‑focused mindset with a strong sense of ownership
What's On Offer
- Competitive base salary
- 15% annual bonus
- Hybrid working model (3 days per week in West London)
- Opportunity to shape a strategic data engineering capability
- Career progression within a large, technologically ambitious organisation
Principal Data Engineer in London employer: Xpertise Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking organisation in West London as a Principal Data Engineer, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping data engineering standards and driving best practices. With a competitive salary and a 15% bonus, this hybrid position offers a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, allowing you to influence technical direction while working alongside talented professionals in a complex operational environment. Embrace the opportunity to advance your career within a large, technologically ambitious company committed to innovation and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field, especially those who work in logistics or manufacturing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best data projects, especially those involving cloud-based platforms like Snowflake or AWS. 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 leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced architectural decisions or improved data processes in past roles. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨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 Principal Data Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Principal Data Engineer. Highlight your experience in data engineering, especially in logistics or operational environments, and showcase your technical leadership skills.
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 role. Mention specific projects where you've led data initiatives and how they align with our mission at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on your technical prowess! Be sure to include your advanced SQL skills, experience with cloud-based platforms, and any modern data tooling you’ve worked with. We want to see what you can bring to the table!
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 Xpertise Recruitment
✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially around SQL and cloud-based data platforms. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with tools like Snowflake or AWS, as well as your approach to building scalable data pipelines.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves technical leadership, prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in coaching others and driving best practices in data engineering.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the logistics, supply chain, or manufacturing sectors if you can. Being able to relate your technical expertise to real-world business challenges will show that you understand the operational environment and can make a significant impact.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in complex situations. Think about past experiences where you had to manage incidents or improve processes, and be ready to discuss how you approached these challenges.
