Senior Data Analyst

Are you a senior data professional ready to shape strategy, influence decision-making, and lead high-impact analytics initiatives within a secure aerospace and defence environment? We're seeking a Principal Data Analyst to support a major aerospace defence programme, playing a critical role in designing and delivering advanced analytics solutions across complex, mission-critical projects. This is a strategic position where data integrity, governance, and security are paramount. If you combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership capability and experience operating in secure or regulated environments, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. The Role As a Principal Data Analyst, you will lead the design and delivery of advanced analytics solutions across multiple projects within a secure aerospace and defence setting. You'll oversee dashboarding, reporting automation, and data warehousing solutions, while embedding strong governance, quality, security, and compliance standards across the full data life cycle. You will collaborate with architects, engineers, and senior business leaders to shape data strategy and ensure insights are robust, reliable, and aligned to programme objectives. In addition, you will mentor Junior Analysts and help elevate overall team capability, driving best practice in modelling, visualisation, and reporting design. What You'll Be Doing • Leading advanced analytics and reporting initiatives across secure programmes • Designing scalable, future-proofed data models and portable dashboard solutions • Overseeing dashboards, automated workflows, and warehousing solutions (SQL-based) • Implementing robust data governance, validation, and quality assurance frameworks • Ensuring compliance with security, privacy, and defence-sector standards • Translating complex datasets into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders • Driving innovation in data visualisation and reporting design • Managing work packages across multi-disciplinary Agile/DevOps teams • Contributing to technical strategy within a secure aerospace defence environment What You'll Bring Essential: • Active SC Clearance • Strong expertise across data life cycle management, governance, and quality principles • Advanced SQL and proven experience with data warehousing solutions • Expertise in Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent visualisation tools • Strong knowledge of data modelling, validation, and QA processes • Experience working in cloud-based or hybrid data environments • Deep understanding of data security, privacy, and ethical considerations • Proven experience influencing technical decisions and leading data initiatives • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills • Experience operating within Agile or DevOps environments Desirable: • Experience within aerospace, defence, or other highly regulated sectors • Degree in STEM, Data Science, or related discipline • Python programming and advanced data handling capability • Exposure to machine learning or advanced statistical modelling • Professional certifications in analytics or data engineering Why Apply? • Work on a nationally significant aerospace and defence programme • Operate in a secure, high-impact environment where data truly matters • Strategic influence over data architecture and governance frameworks • Hybrid working from Reading • Leadership role with real responsibility and visibility This is a rare opportunity for a technically strong and strategically minded data leader to shape analytics capability within a secure aerospace defence setting. If you hold active SC clearance and are ready to drive data excellence in a mission-critical programme, we'd love to hear from you.