Data Engineer

About Softwire

Softwire is one of the UK’s leading digital technology consultancies, offering services in data, AI, cloud, CX, innovation, design and software engineering. We deliver high-profile, mission critical, and transformational projects for household names across the public and private sectors.

Softwire was founded on one simple idea: be the outstanding place to work for smart, passionate technologists who want to make an impact. Attract the best, create a culture where people thrive, and offer our customers access to capabilities that are truly market leading.

And it seems to be working – We were recently voted number 1 company to work for in the UK at the Best Company awards; we employ outstanding people across all capabilities (typical destinations after Softwire include Google, DeepMind, start-up founder, algorithmic trading, and AI research roles); and we have helped our clients deliver some of the hardest, most interesting tech programmes, across private and public sectors.

A big part of this is our culture and values and we are looking for people who share our core beliefs about what makes a great place to work:

• That if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly
• That work should be fulfilling but can also be fun
• That kindness matters and should be extended to employees and clients alike
• That by being trusting and trustworthy as an organisation and as individuals we can dispense with tedious bureaucracy and rules

In brief 

We’re looking for well-rounded data engineers with a proven ability to tackle complex data challenges, make an excellent impression on clients, and have a high impact on the output of your entire team.

We provide a supportive environment with a strong focus on individual career progression where you will have both the mentorship and project opportunities you need to develop your technical skills.

As a Data Engineer you’ll work in a team alongside other talented developers and data engineers, supported by a Technical Lead. Projects span a range of sizes and multiple sectors and technologies. You might:

• Take responsibility for data modelling of a new data pipeline for Moorfields Eye Hospital’s INSIGHT programme, supporting pioneering research
• Maintain data pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and dashboards on Elexon’s Azure platform, informing trading decisions at the heart of Britain’s electricity market

• Implement an AI transcription service for the BBC using GenAI
• Work with a financial services company to migrate legacy Excel workflows into a modern cloud-native scheduler
• Model data for a civil service department looking to replace a legacy HR system

Experience and qualifications 

Technical

• You have 3+ years’ data experience in a data engineering, software engineering or similar relevant context
• You have experience and understanding of some of our key technologies, which include Python, SQL, Databricks, Snowflake, and the major cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)

• You are a fast learner and can leverage your existing expertise to quickly become effective in unfamiliar tech stacks and novel situations, as well as rapidly acquiring client/sector knowledge
• You have a good understanding of best practice principles for data engineering and are comfortable applying these in unfamiliar situations to design new systems

People skills

• You are a strong communicator, who can explain technical concepts effectively to non-technical people and impress clients

• You are outcome-focused and have a strong track record of engaging effectively with other team members and with clients, to ensure you deliver high impact results
• In addition to individual engineering work, you look to take on wider team responsibilities such as scoping, technical design, data modelling, leading on client interactions, or mentoring juniors

Your approach

• You are passionate about leveraging technology to deliver great outcomes for clients and end users
• You are focused on effective delivery – ensuring great technical quality and efficient, high-value output
• You want to help our clients increase their technical maturity, while remaining sensitive to their business needs
• You enjoy working with other engineers towards shared team goals.
• You enjoy collaborating with developers and product owners to innovate and devise great technical solutions to meet client needs
• You are comfortable with ambiguity and fast-paced, changing environments

The package 

Softwire operates transparent pay scales and a profit share scheme based on role and overall company performance

• Base salary from £49,100- £64,600 depending on your background and how many years of relevant experience you have
• You can expect to receive a profit share depending on your experience and company performance. Over the last four years, this ranged between  £3,532- £10,861
• Pension: Additional 5% of salary

Additional benefits

• 25 days annual leave (with the option to buy and sell)
• Flexible work options (e.g. working from home 2dpw; 4-day working contract)
• Time off for company-wide morale activities, time off for charitable / CSR activities
• 6 months Primary Carer Leave at full pay
• Income protection, cycle to work, electric vehicle lease schemes, and payroll charity donations