Principal Data Engineer (Core Engineering)

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Royal London is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to lead core data platforms, guiding engineering, testing and data modelling and setting designs and standards for the conformed layer of the enterprise platform. The role is based in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Alderley Park with a hybrid 50/50 split, permanent full-time; closing date 6 February 2026. You’ll need strong experience building CI/CD data pipelines, modern ETL/ELT, Azure Databricks and Azure Data Factory, Python, PySpark and SQL, and ADLS Gen2, plus data lakehouse concepts, data governance and cross functional delivery. For your application, tailor metrics to pipelines and data quality, show roadmaps and stakeholder collaboration, and highlight AI tooling awareness. Apply even if not every box is checked.

Job Title: Principal Data Engineer (Core Engineering)

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Edinburgh or Glasgow or Alderley Park

Working Style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Closing Date: 6th Feb 2026

We have a fantastic opportunity to join Royal London as a Principal Data Engineer and help shape the strategy and delivery of our enterprise data platforms. You’ll provide technical leadership across Engineering, Testing and Data Modelling within the Core Data Engineering Team, guiding how we design, build and evolve scalable, resilient data solutions.

You’ll break down complex Data Engineering challenges and communicate them clearly to senior stakeholders, turning them into actionable roadmaps and epics. You’ll review route‑to‑live approaches, environment strategies and testing frameworks, ensuring strong controls, monitoring and data integrity across pipelines.

As a key technical authority, you’ll define designs, patterns and standards, working closely with Architects and contributing hands‑on code in your area of specialism. You’ll also set the technical direction for the conformed layer of our enterprise data platform—a crucial asset that enables standardised, reusable, high‑quality data consumption across Royal London.

About you

• Strong experience building CI/CD Data Engineering pipelines.
• Skilled in designing modern ETL/ELT, Data Transformation processes.
• Passion for innovation and driving adoption of AI tools in supporting Data Engineering practices.
• Defining steps to enhance data to support AI use cases.
• Technical contributor with deep Data Engineering/Data Platform expertise.
• Proven track record in delivering cross‑functional projects, Driving action plans and roadmaps.
• Experience with Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory and similar tools.
• Proficient in Python, PySpark and SQL.
• Knowledge of Azure Data Lake, ADLS Gen2 and big data services.
• Broad understanding of AI/ML, MDM, data modelling and analysis.
• Solid grasp of Data Lakehouse concepts, ETL patterns, Inmon/Kimball/Data Vault.
• Familiar with BI tools (e.g., Power BI) and optimising consumption.
• Experienced in release/code management for multi‑consumer platforms.
• Knowledgeable in testing methods for data products.

If you think you would be a great fit for our team at Royal London but don’t meet all the requirements of the role, please get in touch as your application will still be considered.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.   

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve. 

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits  

Inclusion, diversity and belonging 

We’re an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.