Senior Data Engineer (Machine Learning (ML))

Details ----------- Reference number 474910 Salary £44,241 Base salary £44,241, and role is eligible for additional allowance from DDAT (Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework). Allowance of up to £14,756 per annum subject to a capability assessment. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Senior Executive Officer### Contract type Fixed term### Length of employment 24 months### Business area MCA - People, Safety and Communications### Type of role Administration / Corporate Support Architecture and Data Information Technology### Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time### Number of jobs available 1 Contents ------------ * Location * About the job * Benefits * Things you need to know * Apply and further information Location ------------ Cardiff, SouthamptonAbout the job ----------------- Job summary Can you work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to deliver data-driven outcomes? Do you enjoy solving complex data engineering and machine learning challenges? Have you built and optimised data pipelines that support analytical and AI use cases? If so, we’d love to hear from you! A Senior Data Engineer (ML) works within a rapid prototyping team alongside data scientists to develop, test, and scale data science solutions. They are responsible for ensuring that prototypes are production-ready, scalable, and maintainable. The role bridges data science and data engineering, enabling the team to deliver high-impact, operational AI solutions. Joining our department comes with many benefits, including: * Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here * 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday * Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance. Read more in the Benefits section below! Find out more about what it's like working at: MCA Homepage , Civil Service Careers Job description As our Senior Data Engineer (ML), you’ll transform data science prototypes into secure, scalable, production-ready solutions. Working alongside data scientists, you’ll lead MLOps, CI/CD and model development and drift practices, optimise machine learning pipelines, champion responsible AI, and establish engineering standards that will support the Agency’s growing data and AI capability Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to: * Work within the data science team to deliver rapid prototypes for new solutions, developing new solutions using cutting-edge techniques. * Collaborate with and translate data science prototypes into scalable, production-grade machine learning systems using robust engineering practices and automation pipelines. * Design and implement scalable machine learning pipelines using modern MLOps tools and frameworks. Utilising Prototype-to-Production engineering. * Apply internal data engineering best practices to ensure data quality, lineage, and reproducibility. * Maintain continuous integration and deployment workflows for machine learning models, including automated testing, validation, and monitoring. Use tools such as MLflow, Databricks, and infrastructure-as-code to ensure reproducibility and reliability. * Monitor deployed models for performance degradation, drift, and fairness. Implement retraining strategies and version control to maintain model integrity over time. For further information on the role, please read the role profile*.* Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process. Person specification Required experience: To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience: * Applied knowledge of Python programming to deliver data science and data engineering products. * Experience in productionising complex data science solutions using a Databricks and Azure. * Ability to influence stakeholders internally and externally, building stakeholder relationships and acting as an ambassador and champion for data. Additional Information This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis to complete a finite piece of work, however this may be extended or made permanent. Permanent Civil Servants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. You must have your home departments approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance. If your home department cannot agree to release you on loan, there is the opportunity for you to move across to the department on a fixed term appointment. In this instance the Department for Transport would become your home department and if there is no role available for you at the end of this appointment, you would be subject to the redeployment and redundancy process. If you're employed by a non-departmental public body (NDPB) by moving jobs this will involve a change of employer and you may break the statutory rules on continuity of employment. The role is part of the Government Digital and Data (or Government Security Profession Career Framework) profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance. The base pay is £44,241. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,756. The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework. Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 32 hours per week. This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation. Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays. If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details). Visa Sponsorship Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship – candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: * Changing and Improving * Communicating and Influencing Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: * Data innovation * Data development process * Programming and build (data and analytics engineering * Data Analysis and Synthesis (Woking) Benefits ------------ Alongside your salary of £44,241, Maritime and Coastguard Agency contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides . Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits: * Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here * 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave). * 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday. * Access to the staff discount portal. * Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc. * Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues. * 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff. * Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance. Find out more about the benefits of working at MCA . 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.### Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.How to apply: Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's, skills, and potential fit within our organisation. The selection process for this role will be: Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement Stage 2: Interview You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage. Stage 1: Sift At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements: * Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following: * Applied knowledge of Python programming to deliver data science and data engineering products. * Experience in productionising complex data science solutions using a Databricks and Azure. * Ability to influence stakeholders internally and externally, building stakeholder relationships and acting as an ambassador and champion for data. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. The sift will take place week commencing 31/08/2026 Stage 2: Interview At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements: * Behaviours: Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing Technical: Data innovation (working), Data development process (Practitioner), Programming and build(Practitioner) (data and analytics engineering). Data Analysis and Synthesis (Woking). Data engineer - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework * * You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation that will assess the Behaviour Communicating and Influencing and the Technical element Data Analysis and Synthesis. This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview. You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site . Interviews to take place week commencing 14th September. Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. Further information on the selection process Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Adverts with a reserve list We will also hold a 12 month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. Reasonable Adjustments As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Document Accessibility This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert or the information on our website, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Further Information For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role. Pre-employment Checking If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as: * Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour * Threats or acts of violence * Illegal activity or substance misuse * Sexually explicit material * Extremist views or affiliations Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle - it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly. For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.### Security Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check . See our vetting charter . 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) * 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 Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code 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 . 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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .Apply and further information --------------------------------- This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). 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 : Charis Doidge * Email : Charis.Doidge@mcga.gov.uk Recruitment team * Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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 Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here