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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.

About Cognizant: 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, bridging the gap 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, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at cognizant.ai or @cognizant.

Additional employment information
Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

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, state 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] for roles based in the Americas or [email protected] for roles based in India.

Benefits that help you thrive and grow

Our benefits program is built with you in mind—so you can enjoy a fulfilling, balanced and healthy life.

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Financial wellbeing

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

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Physical and mental health

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. 

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Your career, your way

With 350,000+ roles at Cognizant, you’ll have opportunities explore new technologies, industries and locations—and build the skills you need to grow your career.

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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.

Your path to Cognizant

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process. Please keep in mind that it may vary by role and location. Explore our FAQs to learn more.

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Step 1: Apply to the right opportunity

Find an open role that matches your skills and career goals and show us why you’re the person for the job. Don’t see the right opportunity? Consider joining our Talent Community.

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Step 2: Connect with your recruiter

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

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Step 3: Show off your skills

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

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Step 4: Decision time

Our team will then review each candidates’ potential to succeed in the role. This step may take some time because we want to find the right fit for both you and us—but you can count on us to keep you updated.

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