Principal GCP Data Engineer

Join an award-winning innovation and transformation consultancy recognised for its cutting-edge work in data engineering, cloud solutions, and enterprise transformation. This organisation is known for bringing ingenuity to life, helping clients turn complexity into opportunity, and fostering a culture where technical specialists thrive and grow. An opportunity has arisen for a Principal GCP Data Engineer to join the London-based data and analytics practice. This Principal GCP Data Engineer role offers the chance to lead the design and delivery of end-to-end data solutions on Google Cloud Platform for high-profile clients, shaping data strategy and driving technical excellence across complex programmes. With a reputation for combining breakthrough technologies with pragmatic delivery, the organisation empowers senior data engineers to influence architecture, mentor teams, and deliver production-ready solutions that create lasting impact. The Role - Principal GCP Data Engineer The Principal GCP Data Engineer is a senior technical role responsible for leading data engineering solutions, guiding teams, and acting as a subject matter expert in Google Cloud Platform. As a Principal GCP Data Engineer, you will define end-to-end solution architectures, implement best practices, and lead the development of robust, scalable data pipelines. This role combines hands-on technical leadership with coaching, mentorship, and client engagement, making it ideal for a Principal GCP Data Engineer who enjoys delivering complex solutions while shaping the capabilities of their team and influencing enterprise-wide data strategy. What You'll Be Doing as a Principal GCP Data Engineer As a Principal GCP Data Engineer, you will:Lead the design, development, and delivery of data processing solutions using GCP tools such as Dataflow, Dataproc, and BigQueryDesign automated data pipelines using orchestration tools like Cloud ComposerContribute to architecture discussions and design end-to-end data solutionsOwn development processes for your team, establishing robust principles and methods across architecture, code quality, and deploymentsShape team behaviours around specifications, acceptance criteria, sprint planning, and documentationDefine and evolve data engineering standards and practices across the organisationLead technical discussions with client stakeholders, achieving buy-in for solutionsMentor and coach team members, building technical expertise and capabilityKey ResponsibilitiesDevelop production-ready data pipelines and processing jobs using batch and streaming frameworks such as Apache Spark and Apache BeamApply expertise in data storage technologies including relational, columnar, document, NoSQL, data warehouses, and data lakesImplement modern data pipeline patterns, event-driven architectures, ETL/ELT processes, and stream processing solutionsTranslate business requirements into technical specifications and actionable solution designsWork with metadata management and data governance tools such as Cloud Data Catalog, Collibra, or DataplexBuild data quality alerting and data quarantine solutions to ensure downstream reliabilityImplement CI/CD pipelines with version control, automated tests, and automated deploymentsCollaborate in Agile teams, using Scrum or Kanban methodologiesKey Requirements

The successful Principal GCP Data Engineer will bring deep technical expertise, client-facing experience, and leadership skills. You will have:Proven experience delivering production-ready data solutions on Google Cloud PlatformStrong knowledge of batch and streaming frameworks, data pipelines, and orchestration toolsExpertise in designing and managing structured and unstructured data systemsExperience translating business needs into technical solutionsAbility to mentor and coach teams and guide technical decision-makingExcellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholdersA pragmatic approach to problem solving, combined with a drive for technical excellenceWhy JoinTake a senior technical leadership role as a Principal GCP Data Engineer within a globally recognised innovation and transformation consultancyLead the delivery of complex data engineering programmes on Google Cloud PlatformShape the data engineering standards, practices, and architecture across client engagements and internal teamsWork in a collaborative, inclusive, and learning-focused culture where technical specialists are empowered to grow and succeedReference: AMC/AON/PGCPDataEnginer #aaonJBRP1_UKTJ