Principal Data Engineer – Fixed-Term Contract (3 Years) Location: Remote (UK only) Salary: £85,000 + Bonus + Benefits Shape the future of UK data transformation at scale… An exciting opportunity has emerged for a Principal Data Engineer to join a cutting-edge data-driven organisation on a three-year fixed-term contract, delivering one of the largest public sector digital data transformation programmes in the UK. Working fully remotely (UK only), this role is perfect for a passionate technical leader ready to step into a senior-level, hands-on engineering role with real purpose and national impact. The Role As Principal Data Engineer, you’ll sit at the heart of a high-performing Data Engineering function, reporting directly to the Head of Data Engineering. You’ll lead by example—mentoring and empowering a cross-functional team of permanent staff and contractors, shaping engineering best practice, and delivering end-to-end data architecture and solutions at scale. This is more than a people management role—it’s about rolling your sleeves up and driving delivery in a truly hands-on, strategic way. From designing cloud-first, scalable infrastructure to implementing best-in-class pipelines and influencing technical direction, you'll be a visible leader in every sense. What You’ll Do • Provide technical leadership and architectural oversight across complex data engineering solutions • Collaborate with business and delivery teams to align engineering output with strategic outcomes • Mentor and guide a talented team of engineers, creating a culture of collaboration and innovation • Drive hands-on delivery across cloud-native data infrastructure (AWS) • Champion coding best practice, performance optimisation, and automation • Own the technical roadmap and inspire continuous improvement • Work directly with stakeholders and customers to deliver impactful solutions • Oversee the design, build, and management of large, complex data sets with high integrity • Contribute to the long-term success of a landmark national programme with measurable impact What You’ll Bring • Proven experience leading data engineering teams and initiatives at scale • Expert-level programming skills (minimum 2 languages): e.g. Python, Java, Scala, Spark, PySpark • Strong commercial AWS experience – particularly around configuration, automation, security & monitoring • In-depth knowledge of geospatial data, tools and frameworks – including FME and QGIS • Advanced SQL and database optimisation skills • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Experience guiding junior engineers and promoting technical excellence • Strategic mindset with the ability to balance short-term delivery and long-term vision • Familiarity with DevOps culture and agile software delivery methods Why Join? This role offers the best of both worlds: the autonomy of a principal technical lead and the purpose of delivering public-good technology. You’ll be joining an award-winning organisation at the forefront of PropTech and national data infrastructure. It’s a team that values innovation, bold thinking and continuous learning—and one that’s unafraid to push technical boundaries. This is a rare opportunity to make a tangible difference in the UK’s digital infrastructure while working with some of the best technical minds in the business. If you’re a strategic thinker, a delivery-focused technologist, and a passionate advocate for data engineering best practice—this one’s for you. Apply now for an informal chat or reach out to learn more. This is a high-priority hire with interviews happening quickly. Candidates must have the right to work without the need for Visa sponsorship.