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Lead Data Engineer

00069024311

Lead Data Engineer

Full Time

Hybrid: Leeds / London / Sheffield (travel to client sites as required, 1-2 days per month) SC Clearance Required

Job Summary

This is a senior technical leadership role at the heart of one of the most significant data transformation programmes in UK government. You will join a strategic engagement delivering a cloud-native data lakehouse on Microsoft Azure Fabric, supporting data-driven decision making for over 22 million citizens.

As a Lead Data Engineer (internally Manager-grade), you will provide technical leadership across the data engineering function, setting engineering standards, defining design patterns, and ensuring the successful delivery of complex Azure Fabric data solutions. You will act as the bridge between Architecture and Engineering teams, leading engineers through delivery while maintaining quality, governance, and operational excellence.

You will play a key role through private beta, public beta, and full platform operationalisation, helping establish a scalable and sustainable data engineering capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Data Engineers, establishing engineering standards, coding practices, and delivery quality across the Azure Fabric platform.

• Design, build, and oversee the delivery of complex, high-volume data pipelines using Microsoft Fabric (Data Factory, Dataflows Gen2, Fabric Notebooks) and Azure Data Factory.

• Own the design and implementation of Silver and Gold lakehouse layers using Delta Lake, OneLake, Apache Spark, and Fabric-native capabilities.

• Define and implement data transformation frameworks using PySpark, Python, SQL, and Fabric Notebooks, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability.

• Drive data governance, metadata management, lineage, and data quality standards using Microsoft Purview.

• Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and engineering assurance activities across the programme.

• Collaborate closely with Technical Architects, Infrastructure Engineers, DevOps teams, and Delivery Leads to support CI/CD automation and platform maturity.

• Represent Data Engineering in governance forums, including Digital Design Authority reviews, security assessments, and programme assurance activities.

• Support knowledge transfer, documentation, and capability building activities to enable long-term client ownership and operational support.

Essential Requirements

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale Data Engineering solutions on Microsoft Azure.

• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, including:

o Lakehouses o Data Pipelines o Dataflows Gen2 o Fabric Notebooks o OneLake architecture

• Strong experience designing and delivering data lakehouse solutions using Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and Medallion (Bronze/Silver/Gold) architecture.

• Expert-level proficiency in PySpark, Python, and SQL for large-scale data transformation and engineering.

• Strong experience with Azure Data Factory for orchestration and complex data integration patterns.

• Strong experience with Microsoft Purview for governance, cataloguing, lineage, and data quality management.

• Strong experience with Azure DevOps, Git-based source control, CI/CD pipelines, and engineering best practices.

• Experience leading Data Engineering teams and mentoring engineers across multiple levels.

• Strong understanding of Azure data security, including RBAC, Managed Identities, and Key Vault integration.

• Ability to operate effectively in complex stakeholder environments and provide technical leadership across programme teams.

Nice to Have Skills

• Experience leading teams within multi-supplier public sector delivery programmes.

• Experience migrating Azure Synapse Analytics workloads to Microsoft Fabric.

• Experience with Databricks or equivalent distributed data processing platforms.

• Knowledge of real-time and streaming data solutions using Azure Event Hubs or Fabric Real-Time Analytics.

• Experience working within UK Government environments handling OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE data.

• Understanding of DDaT frameworks, GDS standards, and government assurance processes.

• Existing SC Clearance.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven technical leadership and decision-making capability.

• Ability to establish and uphold engineering standards across teams.

• Strong coaching and mentoring approach with a focus on capability development.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Commitment to knowledge sharing, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) – strongly preferred.

• Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600) – desirable.

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) – desirable.

What we offer

  • The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
  • Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
  • The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
  • A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and a pension plan with matching contributions.
  • Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
  • True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.  

About us
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

Other employment-related information
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you’ll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.

Your path to Cognizant

Wondering what to expect after you apply? Here’s a peek at our recruitment process—and keep in mind that not all candidates advance through every step and the process may vary depending on your role and location.

Your Application Midnight Blue RGB

Step 1: Application

Find an open role that aligns with your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Consider joining our Talent Community if you don’t find the right opportunity.

Phone Call Midnight Blue RGB

Step 2: Recruiter call

If one of our recruiters sees a fit, they’ll set up a short introductory call to learn more about you and how your experiences and skills align with the role.

Step 3: Interview(s)

If you and our team would like to continue the process, you’ll meet with one of our hiring managers. Some roles may also require technical assessments and/or client interviews.

Step 4: Final decision

Our hiring team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This process may take some time because we want to get it right—but you can count on us to keep you updated.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our teams achieve incredible things when they feel fully supported. That’s why our benefits program is built around the diverse needs of our people—so they can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

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Financial wellbeing

Financial wellbeing

We regularly review market data to ensure compensation is competitive and reflects the value you bring. Your benefits extend beyond pay and may include retirement plans, financial education, discount programs, etc.

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Physical and mental wellbeing

Physical and mental wellbeing

We empower you to prioritize your wellbeing through paid time off, flexible working where possible, healthcare plans, counselling, our Mental Health Allyship program and more. 

Your Career, Your Way
Your career, your way

Your career, your way

With 90% of our associates building skills through GenAI training, job shadowing, industry certifications and more, you have everything you need to build a full career.

Professionals
Real-world impact

Real-world impact

Think about the biggest brands you rely on. Chances are, they rely on us to help strengthen their business. Here, you’ll turn bold ideas into solutions that improve lives everywhere.

02.2026 Superlearner Debashish
"Cognizant has one of the best learning ecosystems you can ask for. From sponsored certifications to training platforms to mentorship, we have all that we need to grow.”
Debashish Mishra SAP MM Developer
Laura Reynaud
"Cognizant offers me more than a job; it offers a community. We support each other, collaborate across borders and celebrate wins together. If you’re looking for a culture that values flexibility, diversity and growth, this is the place to be."
Laura Reynaud Lead Counsel
Lucas Hoffman
“I’ve had the chance to work on impactful projects and shadow colleagues, all while getting involved in internal initiatives. The world is your oyster at Cognizant—you just need to take advantage of it!”
Lucas Hoffman Consultant
Sujatha’S Journey Main
“When I first joined, I was quiet and hesitant to share my thoughts. The leadership programs and the mentoring I’ve received have helped me find my voice and grow as a leader.”
Sujatha Gopalakrishnan Portfolio Delivery Lead
Paulo Miguel Epili Main
"Nobody here says ‘that’s not my job.’ People just help. That’s the entrepreneurial culture that makes me stay at Cognizant.”
Paulo Miguel Epili Sr. Process Executive

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