Principal Data Engineer

Assystem
Blackburn
1 month ago
Create job alert

Assystem Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

Principal Data Engineer

Assystem Blackburn, England, United Kingdom

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Assystem is an international company with one mission: accelerate the energy transition around the world.



Every day, our 7,500 switchers located in 12 countries (Europe, Middle East, Pacific Asia & Africa) connect their six thousand billion neurons to tackle the task of the century: switching to low-carbon energy.



We are a collective committed to the actors who are making the energy switch. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and values allows us to innovate and think differently about the energy transition.



Drawing on more than 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to strict security and safety requirements, we provide our customers with engineering and project management services, as well as digital services and solutions to optimise the performance of complex infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. The Group is currently ranked third in the world for nuclear engineering.



To ensure a viable, efficient, and reliable energy future for all.



Assystem is an international company with one mission: accelerate the energy transition around the world.



Every day, our 7,500 switchers located in 12 countries (Europe, Middle East, Pacific Asia & Africa) connect their six thousand billion neurons to tackle the task of the century: switching to low-carbon energy.



We are a collective committed to the actors who are making the energy switch. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and values allows us to innovate and think differently about the energy transition.



Drawing on more than 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to strict security and safety requirements, we provide our customers with engineering and project management services, as well as digital services and solutions to optimise the performance of complex infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. The Group is currently ranked third in the world for nuclear engineering.



To ensure a viable, efficient, and reliable energy future for all.



Job Description

Are you ready to step into a defining leadership role, shaping the UK’s most critical infrastructure and engineering programmes through data excellence?

At Assystem, we deploy expert teams into some of the country’s most complex and high-impact programmes across energy, defence, nuclear, and transportation. As we scale our data capability to meet growing demand, we’re looking for a Principal Data Engineer to lead delivery, set technical direction, and inspire a multi-disciplinary team of data professionals on projects of national importance.

This is your opportunity to own the data function across high-stakes client engagements and act as both technical authority and strategic lead — ideal for a Senior Data Engineer ready to make the leap into a pivotal leadership position.

Your missions:

As our Principal Data Engineer, you’ll:

Lead and support cross-functional data teams (engineers, analysts, scientists) on complex, high-value programmes.

Design and deliver robust, secure, and scalable enterprise data solutions tailored to client goals.

Define and uphold data architecture, pipeline, and modelling best practices across projects.

Mentor and develop both senior and junior team members, fostering a high-performance culture.

Represent data delivery in client governance and technical steering groups.

Champion modern data practices: automation, metadata management, governance, and quality.

Bridge the tactical and strategic, ensuring delivery is aligned with long-term client visions.

Why join the community of Switchers?

As one of the Top 3 Nuclear Engineering companies in the world, Assystem offer a competitive benefits package which includes:

25 days of annual leave + bank holidays

8% company pension contributions

Healthcare cash-plan to get money back on dental, medical, physical care

Employee assistance programme including 24/7 access to free mental health support, virtual gym classes and more

Get professional and industry membership fees paid for.



Qualifications

Qualifications/Skills to be successful:

We’re looking for someone who meets (and exceeds) the DDaT Principal Data Engineer standard, with:

Proven experience leading data development and integration across complex environments.

Deep expertise in data engineering and modelling, alongside cloud platform proficiency (Azure, AWS, GCP).

Strong programming skills (Python, SQL) and experience with BI tools (Power BI, IBM Cognos).

Exceptional stakeholder engagement and communication skills at both technical and executive levels.

A strategic mindset and hands-on experience managing technical quality across multiple projects or clients.

Knowledge of sensitive data handling, governance, and compliance in regulated environments.

Bonus points for experience in: construction data standards (ISO19650), architecture/engineering domains, or orchestration frameworks.



Additional Information

Due to the nature of this role the successful candidate will require SC clearance. To gain this they will be required to be a Sole UK national.

This role can be completed from any AEIL office

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.

Seniority level

  • Seniority levelMid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment typeFull-time

Job function

  • Job functionConsulting
  • IndustriesBusiness Consulting and Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Assystem by 2x

Sign in to set job alerts for “Data Engineer” roles.

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 3 months ago

Data Engineer , Python, PySpark, and SQL, AWSSoftware Engineer (Python) - Data Platform

Manchester, England, United Kingdom 1 month ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer (GCP)

Principal Data Engineer (MS Azure)

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Data Science Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Data Science Job?

If you’re trying to break into data science — or progress your career — it can feel like you are drowning in names: Python, R, TensorFlow, PyTorch, SQL, Spark, AWS, Scikit-learn, Jupyter, Tableau, Power BI…the list just keeps going. With every job advert listing a different combination of tools, many applicants fall into a trap: they try to learn everything. The result? Long tool lists that sound impressive — but little depth to back them up. Here’s the straight-talk version most hiring managers won’t explicitly tell you: 👉 You don’t need to know every data science tool to get hired. 👉 You need to know the right ones — deeply — and know how to use them to solve real problems. Tools matter, but only in service of outcomes. So how many data science tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the answer is not “27” — it’s more like 8–12, thoughtfully chosen and well understood. This guide explains what employers really value, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your toolbox so your CV and interviews shine.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Data Science Job Applications (UK Guide)

If you’re applying for data science roles in the UK, it’s crucial to understand what hiring managers focus on before they dive into your full CV. In competitive markets, recruiters and hiring managers often make their first decisions in the first 10–20 seconds of scanning an application — and in data science, there are specific signals they look for first. Data science isn’t just about coding or statistics — it’s about producing insights, shipping models, collaborating with teams, and solving real business problems. This guide helps you understand exactly what hiring managers look for first in data science applications — and how to structure your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you leap to the top of the shortlist.

The Skills Gap in Data Science Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Data science has become one of the most visible and sought-after careers in the UK technology market. From financial services and retail to healthcare, media, government and sport, organisations increasingly rely on data scientists to extract insight, guide decisions and build predictive models. Universities have responded quickly. Degrees in data science, analytics and artificial intelligence have expanded rapidly, and many computer science courses now include data-focused pathways. And yet, despite the volume of graduates entering the market, employers across the UK consistently report the same problem: Many data science candidates are not job-ready. Vacancies remain open. Hiring processes drag on. Candidates with impressive academic backgrounds fail interviews or struggle once hired. The issue is not intelligence or effort. It is a persistent skills gap between university education and real-world data science roles. This article explores that gap in depth: what universities teach well, what they often miss, why the gap exists, what employers actually want, and how jobseekers can bridge the divide to build successful careers in data science.