Principal Test Specialist (DATA)

Principal Test Specialist (DATA)

£75,000 + Profit Share | Hybrid with flexible monthly office visits | Permanent

Are you a hands-on, technically advanced Test Specialist looking to take the lead on testing strategy across a cutting-edge data environment? We're working exclusively with a high-performing organisation who are making a rare and strategic external hire into their specialist team - and they're looking for a Principal Test Specialist (DATA) to elevate testing across their data engineering and analytics function.

This is a business-critical role, working at the intersection of technical strategy and hands-on delivery. You'll help define and implement scalable test automation across complex data pipelines and analytical models, directly impacting the quality and reliability of data products used business-wide.

What You'll Be Doing

• Partner with the Test Manager to modernise and optimise test processes across the data and analytics function.
• Lead the development of test automation frameworks that support data ingestion, transformation (ETL/ELT), and analytical models.
• Work hands-on with tools like Snowflake, dbt, Fivetran, and Tableau, alongside SQL and Python.
• Design and implement scalable, agnostic testing frameworks for use across agile delivery teams.
• Promote best practices including Test-Driven Development (TDD), Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD), and AI/ML-based testing for anomaly detection and performance validation.
• Mentor and upskill test and engineering teams in modern, automation-first testing approaches.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure quality and consistency throughout the development lifecycle.

What We're Looking For

Technical Skills

• Deep experience in data testing, particularly across ingestion, transformation, and modelling pipelines.
• Strong SQL and Python skills - essential for building and validating test cases.
• Proven experience with Snowflake (or similar cloud data platforms), dbt, Fivetran, and Airflow.
• Knowledge of automation frameworks such as Cucumber, Gherkin, TestNG.
• Experience integrating test automation into large-scale delivery functions.

Experience

• Proven track record in testing complex data solutions in fast-paced, agile environments.
• Blend of hands-on capability and strategic input - you'll be expected to build as well as guide.
• Background in mentoring or training other engineers/testers is highly advantageous.
• Exposure to analytics testing, data modelling, or working with analytical products.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills - confident in providing constructive feedback and driving improvement.
• Comfortable presenting solutions and testing strategy to stakeholders.
• Curious, solutions-focused, and excited by emerging tools (particularly AI-based testing techniques).

What's in It for You?

• £75,000 salary + generous discretionary profit share scheme
• Colleague discounts
• Flexible hybrid working - typically 1 office visit per month after probation
• Join a highly respected team of technical specialists
• Make a tangible impact across business-critical data systems