Senior Data Engineer
Job summary
From 1 April 2026, Frimley ICB will merge with BOB ICB to form Thames Valley ICB, which will operate under a strengthened strategic commissioning model with a greater focus on long term population health planning, outcomes focused commissioning, and systemwide leadership. To deliver this effectively, teams will require enhanced capabilities in data driven decision making and population health management. It will be essential for the new organisation to have strong skills and expertise in data acquisition, management, and analysis to support this intelligence led approach to population health planning, outcomes focused commissioning, and systemwide leadership. To deliver this effectively, teams will require enhanced capabilities in data driven decision making and population health management. It will be essential for the new organisation to have strong skills and expertise in data acquisition, management, and analysis to support this intelligence led approach.
Main duties of the job
To support this ambition, Thames Valley ICB is developing a modern, cloud-based enterprise data platform to enable high-quality analytics, population health intelligence, operational insight and AI-ready data assets. We are seeking a Senior Data Engineer (Band 8a) to play a lead technical role in designing, building and operating this platform. Working under the direction of the Head of Data Engineering - Connected Care, the post holder will combine deep hands-on technical expertise with day-to-day technical leadership, supporting delivery of secure, scalable and reliable data pipelines and integration services, primarily using Microsoft Azure technologies. This role is well suited to an experienced data engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, mentoring others and making a tangible impact through high-quality data engineering.
About us
Thames Valley ICB is the statutory NHS organisation responsible for planning and commissioning health and care services across the Thames Valley. We work collaboratively with NHS providers, local authorities, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, and our communities to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver sustainable services.
We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all. We believe the best organisations reflect the communities they serve, and we particularly encourage applications from women, people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBT+ communities, disabled people and others who are under-represented in data and digital roles.
We are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and flexible working environment. Benefits include:
o NHS Pension Scheme
o Agile and flexible working arrangements
o Access to technical training, professional development and career progression opportunities
o A collaborative, multidisciplinary environment where data and digital skills are highly valued
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Senior Data Engineer - Connected Care will provide technical leadership and hands-on delivery across the enterprise data platform and integration services. Key responsibilities include:
Designing, building and maintaining scalable, secure and reliable data pipelines to support analytics, reporting, population health and emerging AI use cases.
Leading technical delivery of data engineering and integration workstreams, allocating tasks and providing day-to-day guidance to data engineers.
Supporting the operation, optimisation and continuous improvement of the cloud data platform and associated services.
Applying best practice in data engineering, automation, DevOps and platform operations.
Contributing to the development and adoption of technical standards, patterns and documentation across the data engineering function.
Supporting stakeholder engagement by explaining technical designs, risks and issues to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Deputising for the Head of Data Engineering on technical matters where required.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Training and Experience
- Educated to a master's level in computer science, data engineering, information management or a related discipline, or equivalent experience working at a senior technical level in a specialist data or digital environment.
- Extensive knowledge of data engineering, cloud-based data platforms, integration and analytics enablement, acquired through formal training and significant practical experience.
- Evidence of post-qualification and continuing professional development in data engineering, cloud technologies, information governance, interoperability or related digital disciplines.
- Understanding of current healthcare policy, NHS digital and data strategy, and appreciation of the implications for data platform and analytics service delivery.
- Awareness of the relationship between national NHS bodies, ICBs, provider organisations and partner agencies, and how this influences data integration and platform priorities.
- Membership of relevant professional bodies or possession of relevant technical certifications (e.g., Azure Data Engineer, BCS, DAMA) is desirable.
Communication Skills
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and technical information, and to present complex technical content clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Experience of negotiating on difficult or contentious technical and delivery issues, including platform design decisions, integration approaches and change implementation.
- Ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders, project teams, suppliers and partner organisations to secure agreement on technical solutions and priorities.
Analytical
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to respond effectively to unexpected technical or operational demands.
- Ability to analyse complex technical and organisational information and develop a range of viable options and recommendations.
- Experience of making decisions on difficult or contentious technical issues where multiple courses of action are possible.
- Demonstrates strategic thinking in anticipating technical risks, capacity issues or platform limitations and resolving problems before they impact service delivery.
Planning Skills
- Demonstrated capability to plan technical delivery over short-, medium- and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.
- Ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, dependencies and priorities within a complex delivery environment.
- Comprehensive experience of project and delivery methodologies and tools (e.g., Agile, DevOps, PRINCE2 or similar structured delivery frameworks).
Management Skills
- Ability to prioritise own workload effectively and direct the activities of others to achieve agreed outcomes.
- Experience of managing, motivating and developing team members, including reviewing performance and supporting professional development.
- Experience of working in matrix-managed environments and delivering results through collaboration and influence.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Thames Valley ICB
Address
King Edward V11
Windsor
SL4 3DP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.thamesvalley.icb.nhs.uk/