Junior Data Engineer

About Us

At Oakland, we help businesses unlock the power of their data. Whether it's data strategy, governance, engineering, analytics, or AI, we work with our clients to turn data into real, impactful results. Our team is made up of friendly, hands-on experts who love solving problems and making a difference. We don’t just advise, we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, working alongside our clients every step of the way.

Founded in 1986 out of our Leeds HQ, we work with a diverse range of clients across all sorts of industries including Utilities, Telecommunications, Media, Financial Services, Public Sector, and many more! Our projects range from multi-year data transformations to specific, shorter-term assignments, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to diversify your skillset.

We meet high standards for social and environmental impact, transparency, and accountability. We believe businesses should be a force for good, so we make sure our decisions don’t just benefit the bottom line but also our people, communities, and the planet.

And it’s not just us saying we’re a great place to work... we were recently named a Top 5 Best Consultancy to work for in the UK through Best Companies! We’re all about creating an environment where people can grow, do meaningful work, and enjoy the journey.

In April 2025, Oakland was acquired by Softcat, a leading provider of IT infrastructure services to corporate and public sectors. By combining Oakland's deep expertise in data and AI consulting with Softcat's extensive portfolio and market presence, we can deliver unparalleled value and innovation to our clients. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we’re looking forward to achieving great things together.

The role:

As a tech-agnostic consultancy, Engineers at Oakland develop a broad range of technical skills. You'll be a programmer at heart, with a strong foundation in data or software engineering and a curiosity for learning new tools, technologies, and approaches.

No two projects are the same, so we encourage our Engineers to become technology polyglots and find the best solution to our clients' problems. You'll work alongside experienced colleagues across a variety of engagements, gaining exposure to different technologies while continuing to develop your technical expertise.

Our work spans data platform implementations, business intelligence, web applications, AI solutions, and much more. This means you'll have the opportunity to contribute to real client projects while growing into a well-rounded technologist within our community of 25+ Engineers.

As a Junior Engineer, you'll spend much of your time delivering project work, supported by experienced team members. You'll also spend time investing in ongoing learning and development to build your skills and broaden your experience.

We're Looking For:

Essential:

• Around 1-2 years of commercial experience in software engineering, data engineering, or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of SQL, Python, and least one additional programming language such as C#, C++, JavaScript, or TypeScript.
• A willingness to learn new technologies and work across different areas of our technology stack.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a collaborative approach to working within project teams.

It Would Be Great If You Also Have:

• Exposure to modern data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, or Databricks.
• Experience developing web applications using React or similar front-end frameworks.
• Familiarity with DevOps concepts such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC), CI/CD pipelines, Docker, Terraform, or Kubernetes.
• An interest in AI and emerging technologies, with some exposure to areas such as Generative AI, LLMs, RAG solutions, prompt engineering, or agentic applications.

Certifications (Desirable):

• Azure certifications such as DP-900, DP-700, DP-600, AI-901 or other Azure data and AI certifications.

Blended Working:

We operate a blended working model, with colleagues spending at least two days per week in the office, aligned to project team requirements. Occasional travel to client sites may also be required.

This balance helps us stay connected, learn from each other, and build strong relationships - both within our team and with the businesses we support.

Benefits That Put You First

At Oakland, we believe in taking care of our people, both inside and outside of work. Here’s what you can expect when you join us:

• Health & Wellbeing – Enjoy Private Healthcare from day one for you and your household, including dental cover, physiotherapy, mental health support, and access to a range of wellbeing services to keep you feeling your best.
• Discretionary Bonus – Your hard work won’t go unnoticed. When we do well, you’ll do well.
• Generous Pension – We invest in your future with a 10% employer contribution, plus flexible options so you can adjust to your investment preferences.
• Giving Back – Support causes you care about with our Payroll Giving Scheme and Matched Charitable Giving program.
• Bike to Work Scheme – Save money, stay active, and enjoy tax savings on a new bike.
• Family-Friendly Policies – We support all paths to parenthood with:
• Enhanced Maternity Pay – 16 weeks full pay, 10 weeks half pay.
• Enhanced Paternity Pay – 2 weeks full pay, 2 weeks half pay.
• Adoption, Surrogacy & Shared Parental Leave.
• Fertility Treatment Support – Because your family matters.
• Time to Recharge – 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (and your allowance grows the longer you’re with us!).
• Learning & Development – We invest in you with:
• Personalised development plans tailored to your goals.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Oakland

At Oakland, we believe that diverse perspectives drive better outcomes - or our people, our clients, and our business. Our commitment to DEIB isn’t just about policies; it’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to thrive.

We are building a truly inclusive Oakland where you can be yourself - no matter your background, gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes you, you.

Fair & Inclusive Hiring – Every interviewer completes recruitment and unconscious bias training, and our hiring process is skills-based and structured to ensure fairness and consistency for all candidates.

Support Throughout the Interview Process – If you require any reasonable accommodations to make your interview experience more accessible, our Talent team is here to help - just let us know.