Data Engineer (National Security Projects)

Forward Role Recruitment
8 days ago

Role details

Contract type
Permanent contract
Employment type
Full-time (> 32 hours)
Working hours
Regular working hours
Languages
English
Experience level
Intermediate
Compensation
£ 63K

Job location

Tech stack

Java
Artificial Intelligence
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Cloud Computing
Continuous Integration
Linux
Distributed Systems
Python
Message Broker
Scrum
Redis
Kubernetes
Kafka
Data Management
Data Pipelines
Docker

Job description

You'll work in a supportive, mixed-clearance engineering team building and maintaining a high speed streaming and analytics platform. The product has been running for several years and continues to evolve, so the work is real, varied and meaningful.

You'll be:

  • Writing analytic code to filter, transform and route streaming data

  • Deploying containerised components to Kubernetes

  • Improving existing Go and Python analytics

  • Shaping user stories and technical work with the wider team

  • Monitoring and maintaining deployed systems in production environments

This isn't a role where you just tend to dashboards. You'll be solving problems, shipping code and learning from experienced engineers who want you to develop.

The tech you'll work with:

  • Go or Python (and support to learn Go if you come from Python or Java), This is one of the few engineering environments in the NS space where junior and mid-level engineers genuinely grow quickly. People progress into Tech Lead, Cloud SME, Scrum Master and deeper technical roles because the environment is built around learning, mentorship and real responsibility.

You'll work on technology that matters, alongside skilled engineers who take pride in supporting and developing new talent.

Requirements

If you're an early-career or mid-level Data Engineer who wants to learn fast, get exposure to real-world scale, and progress into higher National Security work in the future, this could be the move that accelerates everything.

Clearance requirements - You must already hold SC clearance for this role.

This role also requires long-term eligibility for a higher level of National Security clearance.

For fairness and clarity, here are the baseline requirements:

  • You must be a British citizen

  • You must have lived in the UK for the last ten years

  • You must be comfortable undergoing detailed background checks covering personal history, travel, finances and relationships

If you meet these points and value work that directly contributes to national security outcomes, you'll be in scope., * Kafka, NATS, qpid and other message brokers

  • Kubernetes, Helm, containers, CI/CD

  • AWS (EKS, EC2, S3)

  • Linux, Redis, Docker stacks

  • AI and ML exposure is helpful but not required

You don't need to know everything on day one. Growth is part of the package.

What they're looking for

  • Valid Clearance and Eligibility

  • Background in Python or Java

  • Some familiarity with Kubernetes

  • Curiosity about distributed systems and data pipelines

  • Ability to work with the team on site three days a week

  • Graduates with strong projects or placements are encouraged to apply

This team values different backgrounds, learning styles and perspectives. If you're someone who enjoys solving complex problems with others and wants to grow, you'll fit.

Benefits & conditions

Level: SFIA 3 to 4 - £45,000 to £65,000 starting base + package

Some companies say they work on "important problems."

This one actually does.

You'll be joining an engineering team building real streaming and analytics capability used in live mission environments. This is hands-on work that directly supports people who rely on the technology, not hypothetical projects that never leave the slide deck.

Apply for this position