Data Engineer – AR

Job Description:
Data Engineer

Department: Digital and Data Solutions, Digital and Data Directorate Location: Nettleham HQ (Fire and Police HQ)
Grade: SG2 Reports to: Senior Data Engineer Staff Managed: None

The Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining robust and scalable data systems that enable high-quality data analysis and decision-making across the Force.

The role focuses on developing and maintaining ETL pipelines, integrating data from multiple systems, and ensuring data is accurate, secure, and usable. The postholder will support analysts and business teams by delivering reliable data products and improving data accessibility across the organisation.

This role plays a key part in ensuring data is treated as a strategic asset that supports policing operations and helps make Lincolnshire a safer place.

• Design, build, and maintain scalable ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines
• Extract, combine, and integrate data from multiple internal and external systems
• Develop efficient data workflows to support reporting and analytics
• Write and optimise scripts (SQL/Python/R) to process large and complex datasets

• Clean, standardise, and validate datasets to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Implement data quality checks and support data cleansing processes
• Troubleshoot and resolve data issues, including performance and reliability problems
• Support secure data retention and disposal in line with policy and regulations

• Build structured datasets that enable analysts and BI teams to generate insights
• Support the development of dashboards and reports (e.g. Power BI, Qlik)
• Automate manual data processes and reporting workflows
• Ensure data is accessible, well-structured, and reusable across the organisation

• Work closely with data analysts, BI developers, and operational teams
• Translate business needs into technical data solutions
• Provide guidance on effective use of data platforms and tools
• Build strong working relationships across departments and external partners

• Ensure all data handling complies with GDPR and internal data governance policies
• Apply data anonymisation and protection techniques where required
• Maintain high standards of data security and ethical handling of sensitive information
• Support compliance with policing data standards and regulations

• Document data pipelines, processes, and technical solutions
• Contribute to data engineering standards and best practices
• Stay updated with new tools, technologies, and industry trends
• Recommend improvements to systems, processes, and data architecture

• Strong experience with SQL and Python (or similar languages)
• Experience working with complex and large datasets
• Ability to design and build ETL/data pipeline solutions
• Strong understanding of relational databases and data modelling
• Experience with data cleaning, transformation, and integration

• Understanding of data governance and data protection (GDPR)
• Knowledge of modern data engineering practices
• Awareness of data quality principles and standards
• Understanding of BI/reporting tools (e.g. Power BI) desirable

• Proven experience building and maintaining data pipelines
• Experience working with data quality, classification, or standards
• Experience working with multiple data sources and systems
• Public sector experience desirable but not essential

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively
• Adaptable and supportive of change and continuous improvement
• Customer-focused with a service delivery mindset

• Full UK driving licence
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance
• Willingness to attend training and meetings outside the organisation when required
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity, and Force values