Job Description

Staff Data Engineer | AWS | PySpark | Data Modernisation | London | Contract | Inside IR35

We're supporting a global, technology-led organisation undertaking a large-scale cloud data transformation programme.

This isn't a traditional Data Engineering role. The organisation is modernising hundreds of complex data pipelines, establishing reusable engineering patterns and embedding engineering excellence across its Data function.

As a Staff-level engineer, you'll combine deep hands-on technical expertise with organisation-wide technical influence, helping shape how modern Data Engineering is delivered across multiple engineering teams.

This is an opportunity to work on enterprise-scale data movement, cloud-native architectures and AI-assisted software engineering within a highly collaborative engineering culture.

You'll be responsible for

Defining technical standards and engineering patterns for a large-scale Data Modernisation programme

Re-engineering complex legacy data pipelines into production-grade PySpark

Building scalable, reusable data movement frameworks across multiple engineering teams

Driving best practice around AWS Glue, Apache Spark and Apache Airflow

Designing high-quality testing frameworks covering performance, data quality and reliability

Leveraging Agentic AI development tools to improve engineering productivity while maintaining code quality

Coaching and influencing experienced engineers through technical leadership rather than line management

Working closely with enterprise architecture and platform teams to improve how data is governed, managed and consumedWe're looking for someone with experience in

Staff, Principal or Lead Data Engineering roles

Python and expert-level PySpark

AWS Glue

Apache Spark

Apache Airflow

Cloud-native Data Engineering architectures

Large-scale data pipeline modernisation

Building reusable engineering patterns within enterprise environments

Data testing, validation and observability

AI-assisted software development using modern coding assistants

Working within regulated or highly governed organisationsMore important than any individual technology is your ability to combine hands-on engineering excellence with technical leadership, helping multiple engineering teams adopt consistent, scalable engineering practices.

Contract

£(Apply online only) per day (inclusive)

Initial 6-month contract with significant programme runway

Inside IR35

London (3 days per week on-site)