Job Description

Reporting Group:
Group Support Services
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At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we're looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we don't discriminate based on any protected attribute. In fact, we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.
So, what are you waiting for? Join a Community that cares about you!
More about the team
The Data and Platform Engineering team are the foundation for the Data Office function. Responsible for designing, building, and maintaining PfP's data platform we extract data from source, transform it into a usable format, load it into consumer models and marts and build and manage the infrastructure to do all this work.
Data Engineering are transforming the way PfP consumes data. Having transitioned from On Premise to Google Cloud we are in the process of building a leading-edge Data Mesh platform. This is an exciting time to join a growing business function, with the opportunity to make your mark in the architecture of the platform and the development of the data engineering function.
More about your role
The Principal Data Engineer is a senior technical leader who drives the engineering strategy, architecture, and best practices across product domain squads. This role is pivotal in enabling decentralised data ownership while ensuring consistency, scalability, and interoperability across the data mesh.
Key responsibilities include:

• Technical leadership across product domains
• Architecture and design
• Mentorship and capability building
• Cross domain interoperability
• Governance and compliance enablement
• Innovation and strategic influence

With a solid understanding of Google Cloud Platform, the Principal Data Engineer is responsible for the ensuring that the design and build of all data processes on the data platform are robust, performant, and compliant. This includes, data ingestion, data quality / integrity, transformation, security and encryption, batch management, monitoring, alerting and cost control.
In addition to leading data processing the Principal Data Engineer will help design and build the Data Mesh including data modelling and the processing of data from raw through the semantic layers.
The Principal Data Engineer will identify opportunities for automation and process improvement, coach and mentor data engineers, set coding standards and best practices, implement and document data integrity and quality checks, optimise queries, and facilitate data engineering collaboration across the team.
The Principal Data Engineer will work hand in glove with the Principal Data Platform Engineer and the Data Domain Architect to ensure that the data platform and data pipeline design is optimised and reliable within Google Cloud Platform, documenting the approach and explaining the solution to engineers and non-technical business users.
More about you
You will have an extensive cloud data engineering background with deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud platforms and modern data stacks. You will have a strong understanding of domain driven design, data mesh and product thinking. You will be an excellent communicator and collaborator across technical teams.
Having worked on multiple projects within the cloud you have hands on experience in many of the tools and technologies on offer, and you embrace and learn new technologies quickly.
You have a very clear view of what good looks like and can formulate plans to deliver a target state working closely with managers and engineers to deliver that vision.
You will have multiple years' experience working in GCP with good knowledge across the platform and deep knowledge in core processing and orchestration products such as Big Query, Data Flow, Data Fusion, Data Stream, Cloud Functions, Data Proc and Airflow / Composer.
You will have excellent problem-solving skills, a rigorous approach to code checks / peer reviews and have the strength of character to drive high standards in the team. You will be able to manage and participate in the full development lifecycle of data products.
You will have held a leading role in a Data Engineering function with responsibility for the directing the efforts of other data engineers though the design, build and deployment of complex data solutions. This includes driving the implementation and adoption of CI / CD.
You will be self-motivated with excellent leadership qualities, capable of driving innovation and mentoring data engineers.
Experience & Skills

• A proven track record within Data Engineering,
• Experience in a Lead / Principal Engineer role
• Experience in a cloud data platform experience
• GCP experience and associated tech stack
• Strong understanding of Data Mesh principles (direct experience beneficial)
• Technical mentoring / coaching skills
• Extensive experience with Data Lake / Warehouse solutions
• Strong proficiency in multiple languages with SQL and Python as must haves
• In-depth knowledge of query optimization techniques and experience in fine-tuning complex queries.
• Strong understanding of Data Governance including Data Dictionaries, MDM, Lineage, Data Legislation, and the handling of PII
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross functional teams
• Experience of Agile / Scrum / SDLC

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for.
We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

• Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Excellent holiday package - 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs - up to 500 saving per year
• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Training and development
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more.

What's next?
If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then apply following our simple 5 minute application process, upload a CV and a supporting statement which demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the role. If you have any questions please email the recruitment team
As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided you meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application.
We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.
If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on .
Please note that we may bring the closing date forward, if we receive a large number of quality applications. If you are interested in this role we would advise applying immediately to avoid disappointment.
If you are using a mobile device such as an iPad then ensure your CV is stored in the cloud, we currently support Google Drive, OneDrive and Dropbox.
If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls.
Safeguarding
At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.
We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.
By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities
Armed Forces - We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant. Places for People will guarantee an interview for any candidate who is serving or has formerly served in the Armed Forces, as a reservist, armed forces veteran (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructor and military spouse/partner and who meets the essential criteria for the vacancy.
Disability Confident - We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident scheme certified as Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This helps us to successfully employ and retain people with disabilities and health conditions. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview. The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995 for NI) defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has sa substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do daily activities.
Neurodivergent - Neurodiverse individuals have highly valuable skills, and we recognise that a traditional interview process sometimes works against them and doesn't allow them to self-advocate. Neurodiverse applicants who meet the criteria for a vacancy will be guaranteed an interview.

Skills Required