Lead Data Engineer Ref. 3729

Central London, with occasional wider UK travel.

Full time, part time, compressed, job share and other flexible patterns supported. This is an office based role; no remote or work from home options.

As Lead Data Engineer, you will design, build and optimise secure & scalable data pipelines to ensure sensitive, high volume data is onboarded, processed and used safely and effectively.

You'll work closely with operational officers, analysts, engineers and partners to integrate new data sources and enable advanced AI driven workflows, translating requirements into practical high impact solutions.

In addition to technical delivery, you'll provide direct engineering leadership, mentor junior engineers and shape best practice across teams. You'll support the evaluation and integration of large language models and agentic AI systems, including testing, ethics and policy considerations, while exploring and prototyping emerging technologies.

Curious, motivated and able to solve problems in unstructured environments. Comfortable working independently, building data pipelines, and developing robust data models, with strong core technical skills in data modelling or Python based ecosystems.

Experience with modern AI and LLM enabled workflows, including testing, evaluation and ethical considerations. Good communication skills, able to engage both technical and non technical audiences, translating complex ideas into clear insights.

Leadership experience - mentoring others or managing people - is preferred.

Professional development opportunities include in house and online training, technical deep dives and development pathways aligned to your interests. Support is available to strengthen modern AI techniques and wider security practices, with courses and external professional body accreditation routes.

• Salary: £74,624 plus recruitment & retention allowance £6,251.
• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days after 5 years) plus 5 days public & privilege holidays.
• Employee performance scheme recognition.
• Interest free season ticket loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Facilities such as gym, restaurant and on site coffee bars (some locations).
• Paid parental and adoption leave.

MI6 welcomes applications from all backgrounds, reflecting society. Diversity includes age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ways of thinking, and people with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. Under represented groups are encouraged to apply.