Lead Data Engineer
Location: Manchester
Salary: £60,000 - £86,000
What’s your possible?
At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most – solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. It’s what we call Defining Possible.
This mind‑set goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within our communities.
The Opportunity
This is more than just a job; it’s a mission.
As a Lead Data Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing and maintaining the data‑driven infrastructure that powers our services. You’ll work across exciting, complex and meaningful projects in a unique mission space, helping to deliver solutions that have real‑world impact.
You will also bring strong leadership, guiding your team through both technical and delivery challenges to support customer requirements and programme goals.
“My purpose is to lead a team of engineers, rise to the challenges presented, push the boundaries and define possible together.”
– Matthew Bullock, Software Manager, Northrop Grumman UK
What You’ll Do
- Own team deliverables, working with the Scrum Master to define the delivery path that meets customer needs.
- Lead and contribute to the full data development lifecycle, from requirements gathering to design, implementation, testing and deployment.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including product, front‑end development and QA.
- Mentor and guide junior developers, supporting team capability growth and development.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience as a Data Engineer with strong skills in areas such as Python, NumPy, Spark and Apache Pig.
- Proven experience in designing, developing and deploying scalable systems.
- Familiarity with CI/CD, containerisation, deployment technologies and cloud platforms (such as Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker and AWS).
- Understanding of database technologies, including SQL, Elasticsearch or MongoDB.
- Strong communication, collaboration and problem‑solving skills, ideally within an agile environment.
If you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We value potential, passion and a willingness to learn.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of our work, you must be British National for this clearance type.
You must currently hold the Highest Level of UK Government security clearance.
Our recruitment team is available to support and guide you throughout the process: [email protected]
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including hybrid working and an optional compressed fortnight
- Private healthcare
- Cash health plan
- Holiday buy/sell scheme
- Career development programmes and specialist training
- Performance‑based bonuses
Why Join Us?
A Mission to Believe In
Every day we help build a more secure and connected world across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace. What we do together truly matters.
A Place to Belong and Thrive
Every voice matters. You’ll join an inclusive community supported by employee‑led groups and partnerships that champion diversity, wellbeing and development.
Your Career, Your Way
Shape your journey with diverse roles, mentoring and development opportunities. Enjoy flexibility that supports your wellbeing and benefits that help you grow personally and professionally.
Ready to Apply?
Yes – Submit your application online.
Possibly – Contact our team to learn more: [email protected]
No – Explore other opportunities with us. We’re growing across the UK.
Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.
Skills Required
- Must be a British National
- Must currently hold the highest level of UK Government security clearance
- Experience as a Data Engineer with strong skills in Python, NumPy, Spark and Apache Pig
- Proven experience designing, developing and deploying scalable systems
- Familiarity with CI/CD and deployment technologies such as Jenkins, Kubernetes and Docker
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS
- Understanding of database technologies including SQL, Elasticsearch or MongoDB
- Strong communication, collaboration, problem-solving skills and experience working in an agile environment; leadership and mentoring experience
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
