Lead Data Engineer

Posting date:	13 May 2026
Salary:	£56,185.00 to £70,566.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£56185.00 - £70566.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	27 May 2026
Location:	Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, E14 4PU
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	K9919-26-0144

Summary

You will work in the Data Engineering and Enablement Division that reports into the Digital and Data Directorate. Its an exciting time to join as we seek to create leading Health Protection data capabilities that enable data scientists and data analysts to develop insights that inform public health decisions with resilience platforms and curated data assets. The role requires the ingestion of a wide range of data assets, building acquisition, orchestration, data pipelines and curated data marts and data egresses. We are seeking to mature our advanced capabilities with standardised practices, machine learning and agility needed to pro-active detect and respond to new public health issues. You will be involved in the delivery lifecycle from engaging with stakeholders on new initiatives, analysing use cases, developing optimal designs that where possible re-use and extend capabilities, and implement and operate the design. Our teams work collaboratively in an agile multi-disciplinary structure and we are looking for engineers who have the ability to operate in feature teams, data operations and DevSecOps models. We are developing our engineering community of practice to share knowledge, enhance our standards and processes to provide a strong foundation to develop individuals, teams and innovation. Essential Criteria Extensive enterprisescale Python experience, including Pandas, pytest, clean code, and PEP8 standards. Extensive experience designing, building, and operating robust, automated ETL/ELT data pipelines, including largescale processing with Spark. Handson experience using AWS data services, including Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, and S3. Strong SQL skills with experience in data warehousing and relational databases. Proficiency with gitbased development, GitHub workflows, pull requests, and CI/CD pipelines. Strong analytical skills to understand data requirements, ensure data quality, support data modelling, and resolve technical or performance issues. Ability to collaborate effectively in agile, multidisciplinary teams, with excellent written and verbal communication skills and high attention to detail. Desirable Criteria Experience with agile tooling such as JIRA or Azure DevOps and familiarity with software/data lifecycle management. A relevant numerate or technical degree (or equivalent qualification), or relevant experience in a similar senior data role Selection process This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and technical skills. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of: an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a 1000 word supporting statement This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Hands on experience using AWS data services, including Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, and S3. Extensive enterprise scale Python experience, including Pandas, pytest, clean code, and PEP8 standards. Extensive experience designing, building, and operating robust, automated ETL/ELT data pipelines, including large scale processing with Spark. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a remote interview. Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Delivering at Pace (Lead behaviour) Communication and Influencing Working Together Managing a Quality Service Interviews dates are to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) on-site. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Eligibility criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Security clearance level requirement Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check clearance. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance.UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Salary information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location: Civil Service Grade 7 £56,185- £66,581 (National)£58,340- £68,574 (Outer London)£60,494- £70,566 (Inner London)