Lead Data Engineer

SSE plc
Portsmouth
1 week ago
Create job alert

Base Location: You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Reading, Havant or Glasgow


Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + performance‑related bonus and a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.


Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available


The Role

We are recruiting for the position of a Lead Data Engineer in SSE's Group Data and Analytics team. This team acts as a Centre for Enablement (CfE) for the SSE organisation and are involved in a variety of activities: practical project development work, advising on best practice, investigation into new capabilities and other activities that further data‑driven solutions across SSE.


You Will

  • Act as a subject matter expert in the data engineering / data solutions space as a key member of the CfE.
  • Understand business requirements and discuss with stakeholders a recommended solution approach. Work in an inclusive manner with team members in terms of architecture and design of a solution.
  • Lead, mentor and advise the CfE data solutions team in their work.
  • Lead and undertake practical work as well as provide advice and guidance to business units in SSE. This will mainly relate to data engineering activities such as the design, development, implementation and maintenance of efficient, reusable and reliable data pipelines in an Azure environment.
  • Peer review work from team members to ensure quality, consistency, reusability etc. Ensure that appropriate testing for any given solution is considered and applied. Utilise CI/CD techniques for the productionisation of solutions.

You Have

  • Experience of acting in a lead position for a data engineering (data solutions) team in a large and diverse organisation and involvement in the full development lifecycle across varied solutions.
  • Extensive experience of using the Databricks platform for developing and deploying data solutions / data products (including ingestion, transformation and modelling) with high proficiency in Python, PySpark and SQL.
  • Leadership experience in other facets necessary for solution development such as testing, the wider scope of quality assurance, CI/CD etc.
  • Experience in related areas of data and analytics - such as data visualisation, advanced analytics and/or AI capabilities (particularly the use of large language models) - would be beneficial.
  • The mindset to lead by example; carrying out your own tasks to a high standard as well as leading a team to ensure task allocation and completion and that the quality of their work adheres to agreed patterns and standards.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're building the world's largest offshore wind farm. Transforming the grid to provide greener electricity for millions of people and investing over £20 billion in home‑grown energy, with £20 billion more in the pipeline.


Our IT division powers growth across all SSE business areas by making sure we have the systems, software and security needed to take the lead in a low carbon world. They provide expertise, advice and day‑to‑day support in emerging technologies, data and analytics, cyber security and more.


Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.


Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact / 01738 275 846 to discuss how we can support you.


We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.


Ready to apply?

Start your online application using the Apply Now box on this page. We only accept applications made online. We'll be in touch after the closing date to let you know if we'll be taking your application further. If you're offered a role with SSE, you'll need to complete a criminality check and a credit check before you start work.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer - Hadoop - Spark - Python

Lead Data Engineer - Azure Synapse

Lead Data/Head of Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineering Consultant CGEMJP00330718

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 Machine Learning Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Machine Learning Job?

Machine learning is one of the most exciting and rapidly growing areas of tech. But for job seekers it can also feel like a maze of tools, frameworks and platforms. One job advert wants TensorFlow and Keras. Another mentions PyTorch, scikit-learn and Spark. A third lists Mlflow, Docker, Kubernetes and more. With so many names out there, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you must learn everything just to be competitive. Here’s the honest truth most machine learning hiring managers won’t say out loud: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool. They hire you because you can solve real problems with the tools you know. Tools are important — no doubt — but context, judgement and outcomes matter far more. So how many machine learning tools do you actually need to know to get a job? For most job seekers, the real number is far smaller than you think — and more logically grouped. This guide breaks down exactly what employers expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to structure your learning for real career results.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Machine Learning Job Applications (UK Guide)

Whether you’re applying for machine learning engineer, applied scientist, research scientist, ML Ops or data scientist roles, hiring managers scan applications quickly — often making decisions before they’ve read beyond the top third of your CV. In the competitive UK market, it’s not enough to list skills. You must send clear signals of relevance, delivery, impact, reasoning and readiness for production — and do it within the first few lines of your CV or portfolio. This guide walks you through exactly what hiring managers look for first in machine learning applications, how they evaluate CVs and portfolios, and what you can do to improve your chances of getting shortlisted at every stage — from your CV and LinkedIn profile to your cover letter and project portfolio.

MLOps Jobs in the UK: The Complete Career Guide for Machine Learning Professionals

Machine learning has moved from experimentation to production at scale. As a result, MLOps jobs have become some of the most in-demand and best-paid roles in the UK tech market. For job seekers with experience in machine learning, data science, software engineering or cloud infrastructure, MLOps represents a powerful career pivot or progression. This guide is designed to help you understand what MLOps roles involve, which skills employers are hiring for, how to transition into MLOps, salary expectations in the UK, and how to land your next role using specialist platforms like MachineLearningJobs.co.uk.