Senior Data Engineer

The Planning Inspectorate is recruiting Senior Data Engineers to join our growing Digital and Data Unit.

You’ll work as part of the Data Service team, helping to build and maintain the Inspectorate’s Operational Data Warehouse - integrating data from across the planning system to support better decision-making and insight for colleagues, government and the public.

Working within a collaborative, cross-functional team, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of modern data engineering solutions, applying good engineering practices and supporting the continuous improvement of our data platform.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will contribute to the design, build and operation of data pipelines and data products that support analytics and operational insight across the organisation.

You will:

• Design, build and maintain data pipelines and integrations across multiple systems
• Develop and support data models that enable reporting and analytics
• Work with stakeholders to understand data requirements and translate them into technical solutions
• Investigate and resolve data quality and performance issues
• Apply good engineering practices, including version control, testing and documentation
• Contribute to shared standards, code quality and continuous improvement within the Data Service
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

This role focuses on delivery within a team environment - working on complex data problems and contributing to reliable, well-governed data solutions.

The position aligns with the Data Service remit to design and implement data flows that connect operational systems, analytics platforms and business intelligence capabilities.

These roles attract a DDaT allowance, for details please see the section marked “Salary”.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest

This role is being advertised at Senior Executive Officer grade

Salary for the Grade role is £46,689 plus a DDAT allowance of up to up to £10,771 based on Capability and base salary

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, Part time at 30 hours or above.Flexible working hours policy available

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at Runway East, Bristol Temple Meads. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

• Experience designing, building and maintaining data pipelines and data integration solutions in cloud environments.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL for data engineering, including experience with distributed data processing tools such as PySpark.
• Experience working with cloud-based data platform technologies, ideally Microsoft Azure services such as Azure Synapse and Azure Data Factory.
• Practical understanding of data modelling, transformation, integration and data warehousing principles to support reporting and analytics.
• Understanding of data quality, governance, security and privacy requirements in a regulated environment, including GDPR.
• Experience applying good engineering practices, including version control, testing, CI/CD, troubleshooting and performance optimisation.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Designing and implementing data pipelines Data modelling and integration approaches
• Data quality, governance, and security Effective use of cloud technologies in delivery environments
• Please provide one 250-word example demonstrating your experience of designing and implementing a data pipeline using Python and PySpark

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Please provide one 250-word example demonstrating your experience of designing and implementing a data pipeline using Python and PySpark

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Job contact :

• Name : Aaron Beck
• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : PINS.Recruitment@planninginspectorate.gov.uk