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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Data Engineer - **Company:** Ministry of Justice - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £58,511.0 - £65,329.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Continuous Integration, Information Engineering, Github, Python (Programming Language), Standard Sql, Software Engineering, SQL Databases, Data Streaming, Systems Integration, Git, SC Clearance, Pytest, Operational Systems, Software Version Control, Data Pipelines, Programming Languages - **Published:** October 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/ApplicationMethods?jobId=23533&record=23533 ## About the Role Essential You'll have a demonstrable passion for Data Engineering, with the following skills or some experience in: * Strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL * Understanding of the software development lifecycle, including testing (e.g. pytest), version control (e.g. git) and CI/CD (e.g. GitHub Actions) * Designing and building data pipelines that bring complex data sources together into useful and usable data sets * Communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations * Leading and setting the technical direction for a team and developing the capability of others Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC clearance, Strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL - Designing and building data pipelines that bring complex data sources together into useful and usable data sets - Communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations - Leading and setting the technical direction for a team and developing the capability of others A diverse sift panel will review the information in your CV and statement of suitability to assess the sift criteria specified above. We operate an anonymous shortlisting process. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement do not include your name or any other identifying details. Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL and leading and setting the technical direction for a team and developing the capability of others will be conducted before the sift., Strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL - Designing and building data pipelines that bring complex data sources together into useful and usable data sets - Communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations - Leading and setting the technical direction for a team and developing the capability of others Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability, Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Technical Strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL Communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, and manage their expectations ## Description You will work in a team of Data Engineers, alongside Analytics Engineers, to bridge the gap between data producers and data users, developing analytical pipelines and self-service tools to acquire and transform data, making it available on our Analytical Platform. A summary of the type of work our teams are involved in can be found in our handbook. This role aligns against Lead Data Engineer from the Government Digital and Data Framework., As a Lead Data Engineer your work might involve: * leading a team of Data Engineers to build robust and scalable automated data flows to connect operational systems, data for analytics and business intelligence (BI) systems * creating and promoting best practices within the team and wider * applying knowledge of systems integration to your work * championing data engineering across the department and wider * collaborating with a range of stakeholders to understand their needs and establish project goals and deliverables * using a range of AWS services to deploy your solutions in a reproducible, sustainable manner You may also be expected to carry out the following day to day activities: * updating and maintaining technical documentation * leading and organising team building and development initiatives for data engineering and wider * supporting the Ministry of Justice's Analytical Platform users to use our data and tools * line managing more junior colleagues * keeping up to date with current trends and best practices in engineering for continuous improvement, At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements - Experience, Technical and the following Behaviours: * Changing and Improving * Managing a Quality Service Appointments are made strictly in merit order. In the event that two or more candidates receive identical interview scores, strong technical proficiency in one or more programming languages, preferably including Python and SQL will be applied as the primary lead criterion to determine the final merit order. Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made. Use of Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Terms & Conditions Please review our Terms and Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact digitalanddatarecruitment@justice.gov.uk Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion., Technical Test Level of security checks required DBS Basic Security Clearance (SC)