Senior Data Engineer

Job Title: Senior Data Engineer

Location: Midlands

Job Type: Full-Time 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Salary: Up To £70,000 Per Annum DOE

At Airband, we’re building more than broadband networks, we’re helping reshape connectivity across the UK. Originally established to tackle the digital divide in rural and underserved communities, Airband has grown into a dynamic broadband provider delivering services through Fibre, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and wholesale network partnerships.

Role Summery

The Senior Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining scalable data platforms and pipelines that enable reliable analytics, reporting, machine learning, and operational decision-making. This role combines strong software engineering skills deep expertise in data architecture, cloud infrastructure, and data governance.

The role will work closely with data analysts, systems, IT, and architecture teams on system and data connectivity, extraction, security, and governance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain ETL and ELT pipelines.
• Write efficient, maintainable Python code using industry‑standard libraries, PySpark, and Spark.
• Build and manage data ingestion integrations, including APIs and Databricks Lakeflow Connect.
• Manage pipelines end to end: setup, monitoring, troubleshooting, optimisation, and issue resolution.
• Perform data cleansing, transformation, and validation to ensure high data quality.
• Guide the Data Analysts in creating performant SQL queries, views, and materialised views with efficient use of memory and compute.
• Present data in analytics‑ready formats to support reporting and advanced analysis.
• Lead and contribute to Databricks (Azure) platform administration and engineering best practices.
• Monitor and optimise the performance of pipelines, tasks, and databases to ensure cost‑effective use of compute and storage.
• Support system updates, tooling upgrades, and ongoing platform improvements.
• Work with systems, IT, and architecture teams on system and data connectivity, extraction, security, and governance.
• Implement and maintain appropriate security measures and access controls.
• Support compliance with data governance and data management standards.
• Collaborate closely with Data Analysts, guiding and mentoring them to support their technical growth.
• Support the Manager in team development, process improvement, and platform planning.
• Provide data expertise for business‑wide projects as they are planned and delivered.
• Maintain awareness of new Databricks features, Azure services, and best practices to maximise efficiency and capability.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in AI and emerging data technologies, exploring practical applications within and beyond Databricks.
• Apply critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and innovative problem‑solving to overcome technical challenges

Key Skills

Core Key Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Effective time management and prioritisation
• Strong problem-solving skill
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider Airband team
• Embraces change, is adaptable and is willing to learn
• Customer / user-focused mindset
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Planning and organisational skills
• Competent use of Microsoft 365 tools
• Embraces diversity
• Emotional intelligence and professionalism

Technical & Digital Skills

• Ability to learn new systems and technologies quickly
• Data handling and analysis skills
• Understanding of digital ways of working and collaboration tools
• Strong proficiency in Python using industry‑standard libraries.
• Solid experience with Spark and PySpark for distributed data processing.
• Strong SQL skills, including performance‑focused query design.
• Hands‑on experience with Databricks on Azure, including platform usage and administration.
• Experience integrating data via REST APIs and working with databases such as Postgres.
• Experience of automation
• Good understanding of data and systems architecture, including connectivity and integration.
• Knowledge of operating systems and Azure infrastructure.

Qualifications & Professional Knowledge

Essential

• Strong SQL skills, including performance‑focused query design.
• Knowledge of operating systems and Azure infrastructure.

Desirable

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems or a related technical field

Experience

Essential

• Proven experience of Python
• Hands‑on experience with Databricks on Azure, including platform usage and administration.
• Experience working in fast paced environment
• Circa 5+ years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, or related technical roles

Desirable

• Ability to work remotely, on-site and flexibly as require

What can Airband Offer you?

• 25 days of paid leave a year rising to 30 plus bank holidays with service.

• 5% Airband pension plus a minimum 3% employee contribution.

• Customer referral bonus - a thank you for every customer you send our way.

• We offer hybrid working – a mix of working from home and in the office.

• Free Broadband - If you are in our coverage, you can benefit from free broadband with us! (subject to time served)

• 20% off your monthly line rental on EE’s phone, tablet, SIM only or mobile broadband plans.

• Cycle to work, Tech scheme, Healthcare and medical insurance. Dental care, and Health cash fund (dependent on the length of service)

• Airshare (employee discount platform) - discounts on everyday shopping, weekly groceries, holidays, the list is endless - save up to £1,000 a year!

• Refer a friend reward scheme – a selection of great rewards to choose from!

Pre-employment checks

Please note that you are required to have the right to work in the UK and we request satisfactory references as part of our recruitment process. A DBS check may be required for a number of our roles, particularly those that are customer-facing. Also, a driving licence may be required for positions that require you to be out in the field as part of the role.

Recruitment agency support is not required at this time.