Principal Data Engineer

At Next were building a data-driven organisation where trusted high-quality data is at the heart of how we make decisions serve our customers and deliver our strategy. As a Principal Data Engineer youll play a leading technical role in helping us mature and scale our Databricks-based data platform creating robust reliable and reusable data solutions that enable analytics data science and operational decision making.

Youll be a senior technical expert within our Data Team designing and building high-performing data pipelines and data models that help create a trusted single source of truth across Next. Youll take ownership of complex engineering challenges applying strong engineering governance and architectural principles to deliver production-grade solutions that are scalable secure and built to last.

Working in a highly empowered environment youll provide technical leadership within delivery teams shape technical approaches and influence engineering decisions. Youll also help raise the capability of the wider team through mentoring knowledge sharing and championing engineering best practice.

A taste of what youll be doing

• Design build and optimise scalable high-performing data pipelines and data models within our Databricks platform continuously improving them as requirements and technology evolve.

• Integrate new data sources using batch and streaming/real-time approaches ensuring reliable delivery and performance against agreed SLAs.

• Design and improve data quality reliability and observability processes helping ensure colleagues can trust the data they use.

• Take ownership of complex engineering problems using your technical judgement to develop robust pragmatic solutions aligned to business needs and architectural principles.

• Lead data engineering activity within delivery teams providing technical direction and ensuring best practice engineering patterns are consistently applied.

• Engage with senior data stakeholders to understand requirements shape technical solutions and influence technical decisions.

• Contribute to the design and evolution of our data platform recommending improvements to architecture pipeline design and engineering approaches.

• Develop and maintain clear documentation across data pipelines and associated systems ensuring appropriate security governance and operational standards are embedded.

• Work collaboratively across multi-skilled cross-functional teams and with external partners to deliver consistent scalable outcomes.

• Bring strong technical opinions and experience across a range of tools and frameworks contributing to engineering discussions and helping the team make informed technical decisions.

• Coach mentor and support other Data Engineers helping to build technical capability and a culture of engineering excellence peer review and continuous improvement.

• Work independently with appropriate autonomy and accountability delivering high-quality solutions in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Are we the perfect match

Were looking for an experienced Data Engineer who combines deep technical expertise with strong problem-solving skills and the confidence to take ownership of complex engineering challenges. Youll be comfortable working with senior stakeholders shaping technical solutions and providing technical leadership within delivery teams.

Youll bring:

• At least 5 years experience as a Data Engineer or in a similar data-focused role including at least 1 year working as a Senior Data Engineer.

• Strong experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

• Strong experience with Databricks and/or Spark.

• Strong Python and SQL skills with the ability to write production-quality code.

• A solid understanding of cloud-based data engineering design particularly within AWS.

• Experience designing and delivering data extraction transformation and aggregation solutions including large-scale and real-time data where applicable.

• Strong understanding of data modelling database design and data warehousing concepts.

• Experience designing repeatable production-quality data pipelines using parameterisation reusable patterns and engineering best practice.

• An understanding of data governance data quality and data cataloguing principles and associated tools.

• Experience working with stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions.

• A proven ability to take ownership of complex data engineering problems and deliver robust solutions aligned to business needs.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a structured approach to troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

• Strong attention to detail and a genuine curiosity about data.

• The confidence and adaptability to learn new tools and technologies and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• A self-starting approach with the ability to set goals take initiative and work with a high degree of autonomy.

It would be great if you had

• Previous experience with data migration projects.

• Experience coaching or mentoring other Data Engineers and contributing to a culture of best practice and peer review.

• Experience working with streaming or real-time data at scale.

• Experience within the energy sector or another complex data-rich environment.

Heres what else you need to know:

• Role may close earlier due to high applications.

• Competitive salary

• Location London - Next 47-53 Charterhouse Street Farringdon London EC1M 6PB

• Excellent parental leave allowance.

• Award-Winning Workplace - Were proud to be named a Sunday Times Best Place to Work 2025 and the Best Place to Work for 1634-year-olds

• Outstanding Benefits - Enjoy 26 days of annual leave plus bank holidays a generous pension life cover bonus opportunities and access to 20 flexible benefits with tax/NI savings

• Flexible & Family-Friendly - Our industry-leading hybrid and family-friendly policies earned us double recognition at the Personnel Today Awards 2024. Were open to discussing how flexibility can work for you

• Inclusive & Diverse - Were the only energy company in the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers. Were also proud winners of Best Employer for Women and Human Company of the Yearrecognising our inclusive people-first culture

• Support at Every Stage of Life - Were Fertility Friendly and Menopause Friendly accredited with inclusive support for everyone

• Accessible & Supportive - Do you consider yourself as having a disability As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role and will make any adjustments needed during the process

• Invested in Your Growth - From inclusive talent networks to top-tier development programmes well support your growth every step of the way

• For all successful candidates. Due to the nature of this role your employment will be subject to a basic DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check being carried out by ourselves via a 3rd party service provider

• Any questions on the role - please reach out to