Senior Data Engineer

Contract: Permanent

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £50,296 - £53,460

Location: Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, CM8 3HB

Closing Date: 16th August 2026

We are open to discuss working arrangements including flexibility over hours and location, however the expectation is that, as a hybrid role your work will be balanced between home and Services facilities, and you will be expected to attend the Service premises for at least 3 days of a 5-day working week.

Do you have a passion for data and a desire to use it to make a meaningful impact?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Data Engineer to lead our Data Engineering function within the Performance and Analytics Team at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

Working across our Microsoft Fabric data platform and on-premises databases, you will lead a small team responsible for delivering data models, pipelines and data science products that enable evidence-based decision making across the Service. Your work will help colleagues target resources and activities towards the areas of our communities most at risk of harm.

What You Will Be Working On

As Senior Data Engineer, you will:

• Lead and develop a small, talented team of data professionals.

• Design, build and maintain robust data engineering solutions using Microsoft Fabric and related technologies.

• Support the delivery of data science and analytics products that drive operational and strategic decision making.

• Promote best practice in data management, coding standards and documentation.

• Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the Service to understand business needs and translate them into effective data solutions.

• Provide technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to team members.

What Are We Looking For?

We are looking for a dynamic and inspiring leader with strong technical expertise and a genuine enthusiasm for using data to improve outcomes.

You will have:

• Significant experience in data engineering, ideally within a Microsoft Fabric environment.

• Experience leading, mentoring and developing technical teams.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to a range of audiences.

• The ability to produce clear, maintainable and reusable code and documentation.

• Experience working with multiple technologies, tools and programming languages.

• A commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Importantly, you will be comfortable working as part of a wider Performance and Analytics function, collaborating closely with analysts, data scientists and business stakeholders to deliver solutions that support organisational priorities.

You will be a confident decision-maker, capable of balancing technical best practice with operational needs. You will understand that while engineering quality, resilience and sustainability are important, there will be times when the organisation needs pragmatic solutions delivered at pace. You will be able to assess competing priorities, make sound judgements and maintain a focus on achieving outcomes that provide value to the Service.

We are looking for someone who can think strategically, understand the bigger organisational picture and ensure that data engineering decisions contribute to wider business objectives rather than solely technical considerations.

If you are an internal candidate, you must have discussed your application with your line manager and confirmed with them there are no outstanding issues of conduct or performance. This will be verified prior to shortlisting.

How to apply

You will be required to submit a CV detailing a minimum of five years employment and / or education history, along with a supporting statement of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria detailed in the Person Specification.

You may submit this either as a word document, pdf, or an mp3 (voice note) or mp4 (video), however the word count of your supporting statement should not exceed 750 words no matter which format you choose to present your application.

You may attach separate documents (such as qualifications) should you wish. Your CV and additional documents will be referred to in shortlisting to confirm eligibility (e.g., your current role and any existing qualifications).

Assessment and selection:

The assessment and selection approach will be:

Stage 1

W/C 17th August 26'

• Application & shortlisting (assessment of your supporting statement will be made against the essential criteria)

Stage 2

Interviews are currently planned for 27th August 26'.

• Role specific panel interview

• In-Tray Exercise Assessing Prioritisation, Communication and Decision-Making

Should you wish to have an informal discussion with regards to the role, please contact Lucy Clayton, Head of Performance and Analytics on .

Our Culture and Benefits

Here at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service we are committed to prioritising and promoting the wellbeing of our employees.

Important Information for Firefighter Pension Scheme Pensioners

If you are currently in receipt of a pension from the Firefighter Pension Scheme, please note that taking up this role may affect your pension. Under pension abatement rules, if your earnings in this role, when combined with your pension, exceed your pre-retirement salary (adjusted for inflation), your pension may be reduced.

Safeguarding

Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Fire and Rescue Authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

It is our policy to require all applicants for employment to disclose if you are currently being investigated by any regulatory body or have any decisions or sanctions pending or in progress in respect of your suitability to work for the Service.

You agree to inform the Service within 24 hours if you are subsequently investigated by any agency or organisation in relation to concerns about your behaviour towards children, young people or vulnerable adults.

The information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and will be considered only in relation to the appointment for which you are applying.

This role will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Disability Confident

We are an equal opportunity, Disability Confident, employer who welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Applications are considered solely on merit.