Data Engineer

Full Job Description

In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.

Job Title: Data Engineer

Location: Hybrid – Manchester City Centre (1-2 days per week office-based)

Salary: Up to £49,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Please note: UK applicants only | No sponsorship available

About Us

Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care. Through our divisional brands, we work across education, care and children's services to deliver high-quality support and improve outcomes for children and young people.

As we continue to grow and invest in technology, we're looking for a Data Engineer to join our IT team and play a key role in developing and supporting modern data platforms, integrations and automation technologies that enable data-driven decision-making across the organisation.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing technology function where you'll be responsible for designing, developing and supporting enterprise-scale data solutions using Microsoft Fabric.

Acting as a technical specialist, you'll work closely with business stakeholders, SaaS providers and internal technology teams to deliver secure, reliable and scalable data solutions that support reporting, analytics and operational performance across the Group.

You'll play a key role in building and maintaining modern data platforms, developing robust data pipelines and delivering governed data solutions that enable colleagues to access trusted and meaningful information.

Alongside data engineering responsibilities, you'll support integrations and automation technologies across the organisation, helping to improve business processes and support our ongoing digital transformation programme.

We're looking for someone with strong technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for building scalable, high-quality data solutions that deliver meaningful business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, maintain and support secure integrations between business applications and systems.
• Design, build and optimise data pipelines, transformation processes and data solutions using Microsoft Fabric.
• Develop and manage Lakehouse and Warehouse solutions using OneLake, Delta tables, SQL and PySpark.
• Deliver scalable and governed data solutions that support reporting, analytics and business intelligence requirements.
• Implement engineering best practices across data platforms, including testing, deployment, documentation and support processes.
• Manage source control, deployment pipelines and application lifecycle activities for data solutions.
• Monitor platform performance through logging, alerting and proactive troubleshooting.
• Investigate and resolve data, integration and platform-related issues, ensuring high availability and reliability.
• Ensure all solutions meet security, governance and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with stakeholders, software vendors and technical teams to understand requirements and deliver effective solutions.
• Support continuous improvement across data engineering, reporting, analytics and integration capabilities.
• Provide technical guidance and expertise to internal teams and third-party suppliers.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

Essential

• Proven experience in a Data Engineer or similar data-focused role.
• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, including Data Factory, Dataflows Gen2, Lakehouse and Warehouse solutions.
• Experience designing and developing ETL/ELT processes, enterprise data pipelines and transformation workflows.
• Strong SQL and Python skills, including experience with PySpark.
• Experience working with OneLake, Delta tables and modern cloud-based data platforms.
• Experience developing and supporting integrations using APIs and authentication methods such as OAuth and Entra ID.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, governance and security principles.
• Experience implementing engineering best practices including testing, deployment and support processes.
• Excellent troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Desirable

• Experience with Microsoft Power Platform technologies, including Power Automate.
• Knowledge of Azure data and analytics services.
• Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Purview and data governance frameworks.
• Experience supporting enterprise-scale analytics and reporting platforms.
• Relevant Microsoft certifications, including Fabric Data Engineer Associate or equivalent.
• Experience working within a multi-site or complex organisational environment.

Why Join Us?

You'll be joining a growing organisation where technology plays a critical role in improving services, supporting colleagues and driving innovation.

Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care, operating across England, Scotland and Wales through our divisional brands including Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.

By joining our central technology team, you'll have the opportunity to work on exciting transformation projects, shape the future of data and analytics within the organisation, and make a meaningful impact across the business. We value collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, providing an environment where your ideas and expertise can make a real difference.

Benefits

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" – mental and physical health support
• Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Flexible benefits via Vista (Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, discounts, critical illness cover and more)

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS check.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Outcomes First Group is committed to a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in compliance processes. All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.