Principal Data Engineer - Active SC required

Principal Data Engineer - Secure Digital Platform (SDP) Data and Integration Location: Reading (hybrid working) Duration: Initially Until Feb '27 - but very likely to extend (new programme) (Inside IR35) Active SC Clearance Required Role details: We are looking for SC cleared Data Engineers to support our defence client on a contract basis. This role is focused on the Secure Digital Platform (SDP) Data and Integration, and will be based in Reading with hybrid working arrangements. The initial contract will run until February 2027, with a strong likelihood of extension as this is a long term programme. Key Responsibilities: Design and maintain scalable, secure, and resilient data architectures and platforms. Lead the development of enterprise data pipelines, data integration frameworks, and data products. Establish and enforce data engineering standards, patterns, and best practices. Implement DataOps and DevOps methodologies to enhance deployment efficiency and operational reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to comprehend data requirements and deliver effective solutions. Ensure data quality, integrity, lineage, security, and compliance across all data assets. Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching to data engineering teams. Support cloud migration and modernisation initiatives involving data platforms and services. Job Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related discipline. Experience in data engineering, software engineering, or data platform development. Significant experience in designing and implementing enterprise-scale data solutions. Extensive experience with cloud data platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud. Proficiency in SQL, Python, Spark, and modern data processing frameworks. Experience building and managing ETL/ELT pipelines and streaming data solutions. Practical experience with DataOps, DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and Infrastructure as Code. Expertise in data modelling, data warehousing, and master data management principles. Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks. Desirable Skills: Professional certifications in AWS, Azure, GCP, or Data Engineering. Experience within aerospace, defence, manufacturing, or highly regulated industries. Knowledge of AI/ML platforms and MLOps practices. Experience with graph databases and knowledge engineering solutions. Experience implementing data mesh or data fabric architectures. Enterprise Architecture experience. Experience leading large-scale data modernisation programmes. Knowledge of defence security standards and classified environments. If you are a talented Data Engineer ready to take on a critical role in a dynamic and challenging environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's skilled team and contribute to their innovative projects