Data Engineer

About the Role

Gateshead Council is seeking a Data Engineer to help shape the council’s data capabilities and build structures that support better outcomes for people across Gateshead. This position is based at Civic Centre, Gateshead, with a hybrid arrangement that requires at least 40% of working time in the office.

You would be joining a forward-looking and growing data team at a pivotal stage, contributing to the creation of a corporate data platform that turns data into practical insights. The wider IT Services function supports the council, schools, and partner organisations with secure, resilient, and modern digital capability.

The council values a collaborative culture, creativity, and a healthy work-life balance. The team is focused on becoming more evidence-led and data-driven, with work that can help improve service delivery, inform decisions, and support communities.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data pipelines for the Fabric data platform, making sure the environment is configured well and delivers reliable, high-quality outputs.
• Take a lead role in exploratory work that introduces new methods and tools into the team’s approach, such as Splink, graph databases, dbt, or semantic layers.
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to gather requirements and build scalable data solutions using SQL, pySpark, Python, and Power Query.
• Protect data quality, accuracy, integrity, and security throughout all data workflows.
• Help develop and maintain systems that work together effectively and support interoperability across tools and products.
• Promote strong data governance and good data quality practices across the council.

Requirements

• A relevant degree such as Data Engineering, Data Science, AI, Analytics, Computer Science, or a similar subject, or an equivalent professional certification in analytics or data management.
• Practical experience in data analytics or data engineering, including work with Azure or Fabric, SQL, pySpark, and Python.
• Experience using modern cloud data platforms such as Azure, Microsoft Fabric, or Databricks, along with ETL/ELT integration approaches.
• A solid understanding of data engineering principles, practices, and techniques.
• Hands-on experience with analytics tools such as Power BI.
• Strong collaboration skills and a problem-solving mindset.
• Clear communication skills.
• Willingness to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of SaaS-based cloud data platforms.

Perks and Benefits

• Transparent and competitive pay aligned to skills and experience.
• Local Government Pension Scheme participation.
• 28 days of annual leave, increasing to 32 days after 5 years, with 2 days able to be fixed by the council, plus the option to purchase up to 10 additional days.
• Up to 26 flexi days each year, subject to business needs.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Access to training, development, and career progression opportunities.
• Wellbeing support, including discounted gym membership through GLL and mental health resources.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric and hybrid car salary sacrifice scheme through NHS Fleet Solutions, available after 12 months of service.
• Employee discounts and salary sacrifice options via VIVUP, available after 6 months of service.

Eligibility and Equal Opportunity

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds. The council encourages inclusion across age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, the council guarantees an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, although in high-volume recruitment situations this may be adjusted where necessary to manage the process fairly.

The council may close the vacancy early or revise the shortlisting criteria, including the interview pass mark, to keep the recruitment process manageable and fair. Early applications are encouraged.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted online. Candidates will be asked to provide details about their background, work history, skills, experience, and qualifications, and should include as much relevant detail as possible.

If you have questions about the application process, you may contact the recruitment team through the application process provided by the council.