Data Engineer

Simpson Associates transforms raw data into actionable insights that drive positive change.

Our Microsoft data expertise, our specialist sector knowledge, plus our innovative and trusted advice and guidance are just some of the reasons clients choose to work with us.

Our mission is to help purpose-led organisations from within the public and private sectors to harness data as a lever for change and enable them to realise business value more quickly. We provide the full range of services to support organisations on their data transformation journey. From advisory support and data strategy, to developing Data & AI solutions, right through to providing a range of managed services.

We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner, holding Specialisations in AI Platform on Microsoft Azure, Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure and Migrate Enterprise Applications to Microsoft Azure, as well as holding Solutions Partner designations in Data & AI (Azure); Digital & App Innovation (Azure); Infrastructure (Azure) and Security.

We are proud to be recognised as the winner of the 2024 Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year award, reflecting our dedication to using technology for positive change. We are also a Databricks partner, and an IBM Gold Partner, specialising in Cognos Analytics and Planning Analytics.

With offices in York and Sheffield, and a team based throughout the UK – we champion creativity, innovation and collaboration in the workplace.

The role of the Azure Data Engineer is designed to provide the functions outlined below and is seen both within the business and our customers as a technical expert in their field of data engineering. The role supports the business through a high level of skill in data engineering, recognised as a go-to resource for more complex/modern architectural and implementation queries relating to data engineering.

• As an Azure Data Engineer, to be a technical expert, confident in advising on the architectural design as well as product implementation and development. The focus will be on modern data architectures and extending in line with business need into real time architectures.
• The in-depth knowledge provides an understanding of common source systems, integration requirements, key data queries and logical designs. The sector specific knowledge ensures customer confidence in our implementation through demonstrable knowledge of their sector, as well as efficiencies through pre-existing experience.
• To understand our technological and sector aligned accelerators. To own and/or contribute to these accelerators as required and recognising the importance of the development of our own IP.
• Identifies best practices, collating these and providing training and materials on these as appropriate. This may include FAQs, common errors, standard implementation patterns/approaches.
• Able to rapidly understand and adopt similar technologies required for ad-hoc work, for example IBM i2, Talend, Alteryx.
• To support the sales team in tender response documents, based on your area of expertise in terms of sector and technology.
• Ability to understand the relationship between own specialism and wider customer and organizational requirements. To have the ability to perform an extensive range and variety of complex technical activities in a range of contexts and applying best-practice approaches.
• To work with the customer to identify and prioritise business requirements. This includes running a design workshop, appropriately challenging the customer, controlling the scope and producing the functional requirements documentation.
• To accurately estimate the project, showing understanding for the different roles and work packages required. Addressing any differences in estimate between the proposal and requirements analysis with the support of the Account Manager.
• To take the functional requirements and convert these to a technical specification. Communicate the design in an easy to understand manner to the customer and acknowledging their level of technical understanding, utilising visualization in the form of schematics or data flow diagrams as appropriate.
• To work with Consultants throughout the project and to provide guidance, mentoring and leadership to them. This may include issuing and receiving work packages enabling a controlled well-run project and monitoring and revising the assignment of work packages.

• To be responsible for the quality of the project, achieved through quality assuring yours and others work.
• To identify and mitigate issues at the earliest opportunity, utilising experience to preempt likely issues.
• To design and manage component testing, user acceptance testing, deployment and handover to Simpsons support. Ensuring that application support is in place or working with the Account Manager to secure this.
• Reliably delivers work within the time, cost and quality tolerances; in line with Prince 2 methodology. Creative and proactive in solving problems, whilst remaining re-assuring in front of our customers. The Azure Data Engineer is capable of working in both a waterfall and an agile style, able to identify, manage and influence factors to ensure the approach is appropriate for the project and customer.
• The Azure Data Engineer will also be confident running project delivery activities such as Sprint Planning, Estimation and Retrospective sessions where required.
• Demonstrates consultative selling, understands the customers’ business context and is able to identify other opportunities for Simpsons.
• Self-initiated personal development plans to ensure technical, business and consultancy skills are maintained.
• Contributes to marketing activities including ideas and content for case studies and blogs, aiming for at least 2 per year
• Demonstrate appropriate behaviour and work ethic according to Simpsons’ values and culture whilst achieving utilisation targets and hitting internal reporting deadlines with billing and expenses.
• The successful candidate will be required to obtain Security Clearance and NPPV Level 3.