Senior Data Engineer

Reading
2 weeks ago
Create job alert

Senior Data Engineer

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: £50,060 - £70,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight.

Clearance Level: You will need to obtain and maintain DV security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 10 years in order to apply for DV clearance.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a Senior Data Engineer for the IS Modernisation group. In this role you will be accountable for the development of digital twin platform products in line with relevant company policies, processes or external regulations, standards, codes of practice, and best practice. You will lead on analysis and programming support to the business in line with the business plan to protect, develop, and deliver the AWE mission.

Utilising your problem-solving abilities, creativity, and technical skills to design and implement data-driven solutions that drive real impact in the world. As a Senior Data Engineer, you will be responsible for end-to-end execution of high-stakes projects, collaborating in small teams and taking ownership of project outcomes from inception to delivery. Your work may involve discussions on architecture, data wrangling, coding web applications, engaging with internal customers, and establishing team strategies.

AWE is seeking to have an enduring internal capability to conduct strategic modelling and operational planning. You will take a key role in shaping and leading this fast-paced and newly formed team.

Responsibilities:

Work closely with internal and external customers to understand their greatest problems and design and implement data-driven solutions.
Take ownership of high-stakes projects, leading end-to-end execution with small teams.
Engage in and contribute to architectural discussions with fellow engineers and wider stakeholders to drive effective solutions.
Analyse/Interrogate massive-scale data, ensuring its quality and usability.
Develop custom applications to provide user-friendly interfaces for data access and analysis.
Collaborate efficiently with both technical and non-technical individuals in a dynamic environment with evolving objectives and user iteration.
Identify, investigate, evaluate, and implement improved ways of working.
To make decisions and solve complex business problems.
Champion data governance and data quality policies, implementing best practices to guarantee data accuracy and consistency across the organisation.
Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to the wider team and community, creating a healthy culture of growth and innovation.What We Value:

A highly analytical approach and a keen desire to solve technical problems using data structures, storage systems, cloud infrastructure, front-end frameworks, and other technical tools.
Experience or curiosity about working with and utilising large-scale data to tackle valuable business problems.
Strong problem-solving abilities, creativity for innovative solutions, and a view on long-term strategy
Ability to collaborate effectively in teams with individuals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds.
Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with evolving objectives and a focus on iteration with users.
Focus on customers, partners, and ability to build and sustain strong relationships

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

Strong Engineering background, preferably in fields such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, Physics, or Data Science.
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, TypeScript/JavaScript, or similar.
Excellent communication, presentation, and organisation skills
Demonstrable stakeholder engagement and management experience and the ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

Leadership and team management skills
Hands-on experience with Foundry

You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don't always 'tick every box'. That's why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don't meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we'd love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.

#LI-AT

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer (SQL Server / AWS)

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

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

Industry Insights

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

Top 10 Best UK Universities for Machine Learning Degrees (2025 Guide)

Explore ten UK universities that deliver world-class machine-learning degrees in 2025. Compare entry requirements, course content, research strength and industry links to find the programme that fits your goals. Machine learning (ML) has shifted from academic curiosity to the engine powering everything from personalised medicine to autonomous vehicles. UK universities have long been pioneers in the field, and their programmes now blend rigorous theory with hands-on practice on industrial-scale datasets. Below, we highlight ten institutions whose undergraduate or postgraduate pathways focus squarely on machine learning. League tables move each year, but these universities consistently excel in teaching, research and collaboration with industry.

How to Write a Winning Cover Letter for Machine Learning Jobs: Proven 4-Paragraph Structure

Learn how to craft the perfect cover letter for machine learning jobs with this proven 4-paragraph structure. Ideal for entry-level candidates, career switchers, and professionals looking to advance in the machine learning sector. When applying for a machine learning job, your cover letter is a vital part of your application. Machine learning is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, and your cover letter offers the chance to demonstrate your technical expertise, passion for AI, and your ability to apply machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems. Writing a cover letter for machine learning roles may feel intimidating, but by following a clear structure, you can showcase your strengths effectively. Whether you're just entering the field, transitioning from another role, or looking to advance your career in machine learning, this article will guide you through a proven four-paragraph structure. We’ll provide practical tips and sample lines to help you create a compelling cover letter that catches the attention of hiring managers in the machine learning job market.

Veterans in Machine Learning: A Military‑to‑Civilian Pathway into AI Careers

Introduction Artificial intelligence is no longer relegated to sci‑fi films—it underpins battlefield decision‑support, fraud detection, and even supermarket logistics. The UK Government’s 2025 AI Sector Deal forecasts an additional £200 billion in GDP by 2030, with machine‑learning (ML) engineers cited as the nation’s second most in‑demand tech role (Tech Nation 2024). The Ministry of Defence’s Defence AI Strategy echoes that urgency, earmarking £1.6 billion for FY 2025–28 to embed ML into planning, logistics, and autonomous systems. If you have ever tuned a radar filter, plotted artillery trajectories, or sifted sensor data for actionable intel, you have already worked with statistical modelling—the backbone of machine learning. This guide shows UK veterans how to reframe military experience for ML roles, leverage MoD transition funding, and land high‑impact positions building the models shaping tomorrow’s defence and commercial landscapes. Quick Win: Bookmark our live board for Machine‑Learning Engineer roles to see who’s hiring today.