Senior Data Engineer - Contract

Methods Analytics

Methods Analytics (MA) exists to improve society by helping people make better decisions with data. Combining passionate people, sector-specific insight, and technical excellence to provide our customers an end-to-end data service.

We use a collaborative, creative and user centric approach to data to do good and solve difficult problems. Ensuring that our outputs are transparent, robust, and transformative.We value discussion and debate as part of our approach. We will question assumptions, ambition, and process – but do so with respect and humility.

We relish difficult problems, and overcome them with innovation, creativity, and technical freedom to help us design optimum solutions. Ethics, privacy, and quality are at the heart of our work, and we will not sacrifice these for outcomes.

We treat data with respect and use it only for the right purpose. Our people are positive, dedicated, and relentless. Data is a vast topic, but we strive for interactions that are engaging, informative and fun in equal measure. But maintain a steely focus on outcomes and delivering quality products for our customers.

We are passionate about our people; we want out colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Requirements

On-site, Full time.
 

We are seeking a seasoned Senior Data Engineer (Infrastructure) to join our team. This role is essential for designing, building, and maintaining sophisticated data infrastructure systems that operate across both on-premises and Azure cloud environments. The position involves deploying and managing scalable data operations that support advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making, crucial for our organisational growth and innovation. 

Requirements 

• Develop and Manage Data Pipelines: You will design, construct, and maintain efficient and reliable data pipelines using Python, capable of supporting both streaming and batch data processing across structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in on-premises and Azure environments. 

• Hybrid Cloud and Data Storage Solutions: Implement and manage data storage solutions leveraging both on-premises infrastructure and Azure, ensuring seamless data integration and accessibility across platforms. 

• Containerisation and Orchestration: Utilise Docker for containerisation and Kubernetes for orchestration, ensuring scalable and efficient deployment of applications across both cloud-based and on-premises environments. 

• Workflow Automation: Employ tools such as Apache Airflow to automate data flows and manage complex workflows within hybrid environments. 

• Event Streaming Experience: Utilise event-driven technologies such as Kafka to handle real-time data streams effectively. 

• Security and Compliance: Manage security setups and access controls, incorporating tools like Keycloak to protect data integrity and comply with legal standards across all data platforms. 

• Data Search and Analytics: Oversee and enhance Elasticsearch setups for robust data searching and analytics capabilities in mixed infrastructure settings. 

• Database Management: Administer and optimise PostgreSQL databases, ensuring high performance and availability across diverse deployment scenarios. 

Essential Skills and Experience 

• Strong Python Skills: Expertise in Python for scripting and automating data processes across varied environments. 

• Experience with ETL/ELT: Demonstrable experience in developing and optimising ETL or ELT workflows, particularly in hybrid (on-premises and Azure) environments. 

• Expertise in Hybrid Cloud Data Architecture: Profound knowledge of integrating on-premises infrastructure with Azure cloud services. 

• Containerisation and Orchestration Expertise: Solid experience with Docker and Kubernetes in managing applications across both on-premises and cloud platforms. 

• Proficiency in Workflow Automation Tools: Practical experience Apache Airflow in hybrid data environments. 

• Experience in Event Streaming: Proven ability in managing and deploying event streaming platforms like Kafka.

• Data Security Knowledge: Experience with implementing security practices and tools, including Keycloak, across multiple platforms. 

• Search and Database Management Skills: Strong background in managing Elasticsearch and PostgreSQL in environments that span on-premises and cloud infrastructures. 

Your Impact 

In this role, you will empower business leaders to make informed decisions by delivering timely, accurate, and actionable data insights from a robust, hybrid infrastructure. Your expertise will drive the seamless integration of on-premises and cloud-based data solutions, enhancing both the flexibility and scalability of our data operations. You will champion the adoption of modern data architectures and tooling, and play a pivotal role in cultivating a data-driven culture within the organisation, mentoring team members, and advancing our engineering practices. 

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Certifications in Azure and Other Relevant Technologies: Certifications in cloud and on-premises technologies are highly beneficial and will strengthen your application. 

• Experience in Data Engineering: A minimum of 5 years of experience in data engineering, with significant exposure to managing infrastructure in both on-premises and cloud settings. 

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview. 

This role requires candidates to currently hold active SC clearance and be eligible and willing to undergo Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. This aspect will be discussed in detail during the interview process. 

The position also requires an on-site presence 5 days per week at our location around Worcester, Gloucester, Great Malvern (England), Ebbw Vale, and Brynmawr (Wales). If you are passionate about using data to drive decisions and technological innovation in a hybrid infrastructure environment, we encourage you to apply. 

Benefits