Data Engineer

Salary: £50,000 to £54,790 (dependent on experience)

Contract Type: Permanent or Fixed Term Contract

Security Level: SC

Location: Gatwick - Hybrid - min 2 days in the office per week.

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026

Screening Calls: w/c Monday 7th September 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 14th September 2026

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

The successful Data Engineer will be tasked to inform strategic/operational decision-making through sourcing, accessing and manipulating data, and engineering data processes. Data Engineers will develop and construct data products and services and integrate into systems and business processes.

Core Accountabilities

• Partner with project teams to understand new and existing data sources, and deliver relevant project deliverables, whether data models, data extracts, data transformation
• Data Engineers will work across both business as usual and project delivery activities and may be deployed across multiple programmes, projects and change initiatives to support organisational priorities, ensuring CAA wide delivery and adherence to the Data Strategy.
• Devise solutions and make decisions by seeking feedback from stakeholders
• Collect, compile and cleanse data solving any problems as relevant
• Implement & re engineer data flows to connect operational systems, accessible data for analytics and BI systems to enable scaling and repeatable use
• Identify and use a range of programming languages and tools for data manipulation, analysis, visualisation and system integration. Develop reproducible analysis and robust code in accordance with relevant standards.
• Use analysis and models to inform and improve organisational outcomes, building models and validating results.
• Implement data solutions, using relevant software engineering architecture and design patterns.
• Design and delivery of fully governed ETL processes
• Find, present, communicate and disseminate outputs effectively 
• Provide guidance on implementation of high-quality data management whilst developing and maintaining collaborative relationships at strategic and operational levels
• Develop solutions that deliver the automation of existing manual processes

About You

Essential:

• Knowledge of Data architecture and engineering disciplines
• Conceptual, logical and physical data modelling with proven experience and delivery benefits
• Understanding of Master and Reference Data Management concepts
• An analytical mindset to challenge the business with both BAU and project deliverables
• Knowledge of Data Platform Management
• Willingness to confidently challenge and quantify data decisions
• Experience in the transformation of data to meet strategic and analytical goals
• Business analyst skills (desirable)
• Experience in using Power BI, Alteryx & DevOps systems (desirable)
• Proven experience of the development of end-to-end ETL solutions delivering business benefit
• Understanding and experience in Agile methodology/ways of work

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on CTC and SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years’ time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be guaranteed an interview. Find out more about the Disability Confident Scheme. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Use of Artificial Intelligence by candidates in the CAA recruitment process

We recognise that many of our candidates find Artificial Intelligence to be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected on that basis.

Working With Us

Explore What We Offer section on our careers website to find out about our benefits and how we support work-life balance.

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026

Screening Calls: w/c Monday 7th September 2026

Interview Date: w/c Monday 14th September 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.