> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2214868-principal-data-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2214868-principal-data-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Data Engineer - **Company:** MCS Group - **Location:** Belfast, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Amazon Web Services, Big Data, Computer Programming, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Distributed Computing Environment, Distributed Systems, Internet Recruiting, Python (Programming Language), Operational Databases, Standard Sql, Scala (Programming Language), Data Streaming, Technical Data Management Systems, Data Lakes, AWS Data Analytics, Data Management - **Published:** August 25, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.nijobfinder.co.uk/job/2051130/principal-data-engineer/ ## About the Role * Extensive experience in data engineering, with a track record of delivering complex, large-scale data platforms and systems. * Demonstrable experience operating at Staff, Principal, or equivalent technical leadership level. * Deep expertise in data engineering, distributed systems, data platforms, and modern data architecture. * Strong commercial experience with AWS, including designing and operating production data platforms and services. * Strong programming skills in Python, Java, Scala, or a similar language, alongside excellent SQL skills. * Experience with AWS data and analytics services. * Strong understanding of data modelling, distributed processing, streaming, data lakes/lakehouses, and data platform design. * A track record of making high-quality architectural decisions and influencing technical direction across multiple teams. * Experience tackling ambiguous, organisation-wide technical problems and turning them into clear, actionable strategies. * Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to influence senior technical and non-technical audiences. * A strong coaching and mentoring mindset, with a passion for developing engineers and raising engineering standards. * The ability to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic execution. ## Description This is a senior technical leadership role for someone who can operate beyond the boundaries of an individual team. You'll shape our data engineering strategy, influence architecture and technical direction across the organisation, and lead complex, high-impact initiatives from concept through to delivery. You'll combine deep technical expertise with strong organisational influence, working with engineers, architects, product leaders, data professionals, and senior stakeholders to solve some of our most important data challenges. What you'll do * Define and influence the technical strategy and direction for data engineering across the organisation. * Lead the architecture and delivery of complex, high-impact data platforms and products built on AWS. * Operate across team and organisational boundaries, identifying opportunities and solving problems that span multiple areas of the business. * Establish strong engineering principles and standards across data engineering, including scalability, reliability, security, observability, data quality, and governance. * Make and influence significant architectural and technology decisions across our AWS data estate. * Partner with senior engineering, product, and business stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into technical outcomes. * Act as a technical authority and trusted advisor on data engineering, data platforms, and AWS architecture. * Identify and address systemic technical challenges, helping evolve our architecture, engineering practices, and ways of working. * Lead through influence rather than hierarchy, bringing teams together around a clear technical vision. * Stay hands-on where it adds value, particularly around architecture, technical design, complex problem solving, and critical delivery., At this level, success isn't measured solely by the code you write or the projects you personally deliver. You'll be expected to have broad technical and organisational impact. You'll identify problems before they become blockers, connect teams and initiatives, shape architectural direction, and create clarity where there is ambiguity. You'll influence decisions well beyond your immediate team and help establish the technical foundations and engineering practices that enable the wider organisation to scale. You'll have significant autonomy and will be trusted to determine what needs to change, why it matters, and how we should get there. What you'll get * The opportunity to shape the direction of data engineering across the organisation. * Significant technical autonomy and influence over our AWS data platform. * Complex, high-impact engineering challenges. * The opportunity to work closely with senior technical and business leaders. * A collaborative engineering culture focused on quality, learning, and continuous improvement. * Support for continued technical and leadership development. * A competitive salary and benefits package. If you're a deep technical data engineer who wants to operate at organisational level, shape strategy, influence architecture, and raise the bar for engineering as a whole, we'd love to hear from you. ## Related Videos - [How building an industry DBMS differs from building a research one](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/768-how-building-an-industry-dbms-differs-from-building-a-research-one) - [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology) - [Empowering Retail Through Applied Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/976-empowering-retail-through-applied-machine-learning) - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [Why and when should we consider Stream Processing frameworks in our solutions](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1085-why-and-when-should-we-consider-stream-processing-frameworks-in-our-solutions) - [The Data Mesh as the end of the Datalake as we know it](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/156-the-data-mesh-as-the-end-of-the-datalake-as-we-know-it) ## Related Articles - [Data Engineer Salary UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/253-data-engineer-salary-uk) - [Data Analyst Salary in the UK](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/278-data-analyst-salary-in-the-uk) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer)