Principal Data Engineer

Location/s: Cardiff, Bristol, Birmingham; UK
Recruiter contact: Alice Roostan

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

Overview of the role

This role sits within Regional Digital, a function focused on bringing digital innovation closer to our prospects, projects, and clients The successful candidate will strengthen Regional Digital’s capability across project productivity, automation, applied AI, and cross disciplinary digital delivery, directly contributing to the organisation’s strategy client first, digitally enabled technical excellence.

As part of a regional ecosystem spanning Solutions Scaling, Implementation, Project Productivity/Optimisation, Adoption, and Information & Cyber Security, this role enhances project outcomes by developing scalable digital capabilities, boosting efficiency, and supporting teams across major projects and pursuits.

You will be joining an award-winning diverse team of Geospatial, data science, automation, data and software engineering consultants who are passionate about exploring cloud native emerging technologies, thriving on data, AI and developing high value automations and innovative digital solutions. You will have an opportunity to work across sectors including transport, energy, water, buildings and advisory driving digital value in our region’s major projects and prospects We are seeking a highly experienced Principal GIS/Data Engineering Consultant to join our Data Engineering & Automation team, based in Bristol, Birmingham, or Cardiff, with other UK locations also considered.

In this impactful role, you will lead the design and delivery of cutting-edge geospatial, data and digital solutions, advancing our digital strategy and strengthening our capabilities in data orchestration, automation, AI integration, and geospatial innovation.

You will work at the forefront of digital enablement across sectors, on country's most significant projects, helping our clients unlock the full value of their data, modernise their workflows, and achieve outstanding outcomes through intelligent technology. We are looking for someone who brings deep technical expertise in Geospatial, data engineering and digital solution design, a proven track record of winning and delivering complex data-driven and geospatial projects, a passion for innovation, automation, and advancing enterprise-wide digital capability and with the drive to help shape our digital future and champion new ways of working with data and technology.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Design and develop high-value digital solutions, lead the creation of data engineering, automation, and innovative geospatial capabilities that deliver measurable value for major projects and prospects
• Scale productivity with AI and automation, develop smart, reusable automation and AI-enabled workflows that become blueprints for sector-wide adoption
• Plan and quantify value, co-create Digital Value Plans with project teams to identify high-impact opportunities and clearly evidence Return on Investment
• Integrate the digital ecosystem, connect platforms and data using FME, Python, SQL, Azure, APIs, GIS/BIM connectors, and leading software such as Esri, Autodesk, Bentley, and Moata to build interoperable, deployable solutions
• Deliver securely at global scale, collaborate across regions and Global Delivery Services to provide a modern, connected environment and champion safe, governed AI with Information & Cyber Security
• Lead multidisciplinary delivery, manage complex technical projects end-to-end, translate user needs into outcome-driven solutions, uphold standards, and drive consistency through reusable components and documentation

Grow capability and future services, mentor and line-manage colleagues, share knowledge, support bids and new opportunities, and shape the next wave of software pilots and emerging technology offerings

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Proven geospatial, data, automation and digital expertise, with strong UK experience and a client-focused approach
• Demonstrated technical leadership across geospatial, data engineering, automation, and innovative digital solution development
• Experienced delivering large-scale data, geospatial and automation projects, including budgeting, resource planning, and prioritization
• Advanced capability or interest in AI-enabled automations and agent-based workflows, with a strong understanding of emerging AI practices
• Qualified in GIS, geospatial, data engineering, data science, software engineering, or a related discipline, supported by ongoing professional development
• Deep experience developing orchestration and integration pipelines, automating complex spatial workflows, ETL, analytics, data validation, and application development
• Strong FME expertise, including designing and reviewing complex FME Form workspaces and delivering enterprise-scale automations in FME Flow
• Highly proficient in ArcGIS technologies, Python, and database development, including PostGIS, schemas, metadata, data versioning, and standards
• Excellent communicator and problem-solver, with strong business development capability, a passion for innovation, and a drive to continuously expand technical skills
• Willingness and able to undergo BPSS or SC clearance

Desirable:

• Experience of developing solutions utilising AI and ML
• Experience of enhancing spatial data workflows and analytics using cloud native geospatial solutions
• Experience of Azure cloud services and DevOps
• Experienced in remote sensing data analytics, including, satellite optical and radar imagery, aerial and mobile imagery, and LiDAR data useful

Interest/skills in emerging technologies, AI agents, digital twins, IoT, Augmented Reality

Advanced programming skills (JavaScript; Python; Arcade; C# in conjunction with ArcGIS API and other web frameworks, such as Cesium, AngularJS, Django)

Fellow of RGS (with IBG) and a Chartered Geographer (GIS)

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.

10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.

Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.

Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes

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Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.