Data Engineer

Job summary

Shape the Future of the Nation’s Memory

At The National Archives, we are more than custodians of the past – we are pioneers in digital archiving, ensuring the UK’s public records are robust, connected, and accessible for generations to come. As a Data Engineer in our small, dynamic Digital Archiving team, you’ll help transform how archival data is managed, structured, and enriched, unlocking its value for public use and discovery.

Why Join Us?
• Your work will directly support the preservation and accessibility of the UK’s documentary heritage.
• We nurture talent, value every voice, and support personal and professional development. You’ll join a collaborative, forward-looking team where your ideas are heard and your growth is championed.
• Work with a modern tech stack including Python, SQL, Shell scripting, Talend, XSLT, XML, CSV, JSON, RDF, RDBMS, NoSQL, and graph databases. You’ll help design and build scalable data pipelines, automate data processing, and develop tools for data enrichment and integration
• We invest in your learning, offering opportunities to develop your skills in emerging technologies and data practices that enhance public access to archives.

Job description

Full job description attached (see below).

Person specification

This Job Would Suit…

If you’ve been working in an entry-level data role and are ready to take the next step, this is an ideal opportunity to grow your skills and responsibilities. We welcome those who are passionate about data, eager to learn, and keen to make a real impact. Data skills are highly valued at The National Archives, and you’ll be part of an active internal data community where specialists from across the organisation share knowledge, collaborate, and solve problems together.

What You’ll Do
• Design and develop scalable, repeatable data pipelines (ETL/ELT) to process, transform, and load archival data.
• Automate data cleansing, validation, standardisation, and enrichment.
• Develop and document schemas, ontologies, and models for archival data.
• Integrate data from diverse sources and formats, supporting better discovery and reuse.
• Collaborate with product teams, archivists, and developers to deliver practical, data-centric solutions.
• Contribute to a culture of openness, quality, and continuous improvement.

Ready to help shape the future of digital archiving?

Apply now and join a team where your work matters – for today, and for generations to come.

This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department. A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.

Application Process:

• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to upload their CV and complete a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words

• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site at The National Archives in Kew and will include a technical test.

Selection for interview will be based on the ‘essential’ requirements shown below so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.

Essential criteria:

• Data manipulation Strong experience of accurate, reliable, large-scale analysis and manipulation of complex datasets using relevant programming languages and tools (e.g. Python, Shell scripting, SQL, XSLT).

• Data formats Solid understanding of working with different data formats (e.g. XML, CSV, JSON, RDF).

• Database technologies Practical knowledge of database technologies (e.g. RDBMS, noSQL, graph databases, linked data stores).

• Analysis and problem solving Excellent analytical skills, with a structured and proactive approach to solving technical problems. Able to apply a range of techniques to capture, document and communicate requirements, issues, designs and solutions.

• Communication and relationships Strong relationship building and communication skills, with an excellent user focus. Able to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and explain technical issues clearly to non-technical colleagues.

• Prioritisation and organisation Ability to work with high accuracy, attention to detail and organisation, both independently and as a project team member. Able to prioritise competing tasks and deliver high quality work to agreed deadlines.

SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past three years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than three years as your application will be rejected.

Sponsorship:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,000, The National Archives contributes £13,036 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development.

Any move to The National Archives from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk;

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can 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 withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Reasonable adjustments:

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Talent Acquisition Team
• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk
• Telephone : 02083925313

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

Attachments

Job Description - Data Engineer June 2025 Opens in new window (docx, 42kB)