• Contract Type: Permanent

  • Salary: £32,858 to £41,000 – London: £36,583 to £41,000 / National: £32,858 - £37,314 (including allowance)

  • Grade: HEO

  • Number of open roles: 1

  • Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

  • Closing date for applications: Monday 21st October at 12pm (noon)

Junior Data Engineer

Location: London, Darlington, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham, Salford

About us  
 
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a clear mission - to grow the economy. Our role is to help businesses invest, grow and export to create jobs and opportunities right across the country. We do this in three ways.    
Firstly, we help to build a strong, competitive business environment, where consumers are protected and companies rewarded for treating their employees properly.   
Secondly, we open international markets and ensure resilient supply chains. This can be through Free Trade Agreements, trade facilitation and multilateral agreements.  
Finally, we work in partnership with businesses every day, providing advance, finance and deal-making support to those looking to start up, invest, export and grow.   
The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate develops and operates tools and services to support us in this mission.  
  
About the role   
As a Junior Data Engineer you will help us design, implement, test and operate our data products, pipelines and services. We will help you to develop in the Data Engineering profession towards more senior roles.  
You will have opportunities to contribute to a range of solution to satisfy our data user needs. The team will rely on your ability to query and transform data using both SQL (Postgres) and Python (Pandas, Apache Airflow). You will help building efficient data pipelines and creating services that expose the data through APIs.  
  The role follows the DDaT framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-engineer   
 
 About you  
 
You will be  
  • a flexible problem solver with interest in data and digital technology 
  • a team player able to collaborate on solutions with other professions 
  • eager to learn more and share what they know with others 
  Main responsibilities   
As a Junior Data Engineer, you will 
  • Implement, troubleshoot, and test data products and services using standard techniques and tools. 
  • Help building data solutions which are scalable, resilient, and future proof. 
  • Understand typical problems in databases, data processes, data products and services. You understand and can apply typical solutions to those problems. 
  • Implement, troubleshoot, and test pipelines, Web APIs, services, or scripts. 
  • Work in an Agile and cross-functional team 
Essential Skills and Experience 
It is essential that you have the following skills: 
  • Agile methodologies. You know about agile methodologies and the ways you can apply the principles in practice. You can take an open-minded approach; you know why iteration is important. You know how agile processes can be used to validate ideas with users.  
  • Data development process. You can design, build and test data products based on feeds from multiple systems using a range of different data exchange, storage and access technologies. You can create testable, repeatable and reusable products. 
  • Data technology. You can apply data models using database technology. You understand and apply appropriate data design principles to achieve performant and secure databases. You are aware of general trends in data technology. 
  • Technical understanding (data engineering). You understand core technical concepts like data normalisation, modelling, performance of data intensive solutions. You understand basic software development concepts. 
Desirable Skills and Experience  
These skills are not necessary, but would be ideal if you have: 
  • Communication skills (data). You know about the need to translate technical concepts into non-technical language and understand what communication is required for internal and external stakeholders.   
How to apply  
As part of the application process you will be asked to upload a 1 page CV and complete a 500 word personal statement outlining how you meet the essential skills and experience listed above. You can use bullet points and subheadings if you prefer.  
  
Sift will be from week commencing Monday 21st October  
Interviews will be from week commencing Monday 4th November  
Please note these dates are indicative and may be subject to change.
  
If there is a high volume of applications, we will sift looking at your Personal statement only. You may then be progressed to full sift or straight to interview.   
  
How we interview 
 
At the interview stage for this role, you will be asked to demonstrate relevant Technical Skills and Behaviours from the Success Profiles framework. These are role specific and in line with the DDaT Capability Framework
 
Technical Skills  
  •  Data modelling. You understand the concepts and principles of data modelling and can produce, maintain and update relevant data models for specific business needs. You know how to reverse-engineer data models from a live system.  
  • Problem resolution (data). You know about the types of problems in databases, data processes, data products and services. 
  • Programming and build (data engineering). You can design, code, test, correct and document simple programs or scripts using Python and SQL. You can use source control to manage your code. 
  • Testing. You can execute test scripts under supervision. You understand the role of testing and how it works.  
Detailed explanations of each Technical Skill can be found on the DDaT Framework. 
We will also assess you against the following Behaviours: 
  • Working Together  
  • Developing Self and Others 
You will also be asked to complete a technical exercise and will be informed on the topic following the sift.  
  
How we offer  
Offers will be made in merit order based on location preferences. If you pass the bar at interview but are not the highest scoring you will be held on a 12-month reserve list in case a role becomes available. If you are judged a near miss at interview, you may be offered a post at the grade below the one you applied for.  
  
This role requires SC clearance. DBT’s requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet this requirement will result in your application being rejected and your offer will be withdrawn.  
Checks will also be made against:  
  • departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)  
  • UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records  
  • your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency  
  • security services record  
  • location details  
  
Benefits
If you join us, you will get:  
   
  • learning and development tailored to your role  
  • a flexible, hybrid working environment with options like condensed hours   
  • a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity   
  • a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%   
  • annual leave starting at 25 days rising to 30 days with service   
  • three paid volunteering days a year    
  • an employee benefits programme including cycle to work  
  
More about us  
This role can only be worked from within the UK, not overseas. If you are based in London, you will receive London weighting. DBT employees work in a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in the office on average.  Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DBT, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.  
You can find out more about our office locations, how we calculate salaries, our diversity statement and reasonable adjustments, the Recruitment Principles, the Civil Service code and our complaints procedure on our website.  
Find out more about life at DBT, our benefits and meet the team by watching our video or reading our blog!