Principal Test Specialist (DATA)

£75,000 + Profit Share | Hybrid with flexible monthly office visits | Permanent

Are you a hands-on, technically advanced Test Specialist looking to take the lead on testing strategy across a cutting-edge data environment? We're working exclusively with a high-performing organisation who are making a rare and strategic external hire into their specialist team - and they're looking for a Principal Test Specialist (DATA) to elevate testing across their data engineering and analytics function.

This is a business-critical role, working at the intersection of technical strategy and hands-on delivery. You'll help define and implement scalable test automation across complex data pipelines and analytical models, directly impacting the quality and reliability of data products used business-wide.

What You'll Be Doing

Partner with the Test Manager to modernise and optimise test processes across the data and analytics function.
Lead the development of test automation frameworks that support data ingestion, transformation (ETL/ELT), and analytical models.
Work hands-on with tools like Snowflake, dbt, Fivetran, and Tableau, alongside SQL and Python.
Design and implement scalable, agnostic testing frameworks for use across agile delivery teams.
Promote best practices including Test-Driven Development (TDD), Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD), and AI/ML-based testing for anomaly detection and performance validation.
Mentor and upskill test and engineering teams in modern, automation-first testing approaches.
Collaborate across teams to ensure quality and consistency throughout the development lifecycle.

What We're Looking For

Technical Skills

Deep experience in data testing, particularly across ingestion, transformation, and modelling pipelines.
Strong SQL and Python skills - essential for building and validating test cases.
Proven experience with Snowflake (or similar cloud data platforms), dbt, Fivetran, and Airflow.
Knowledge of automation frameworks such as Cucumber, Gherkin, TestNG.
Experience integrating test automation into large-scale delivery functions.Experience

Proven track record in testing complex data solutions in fast-paced, agile environments.
Blend of hands-on capability and strategic input - you'll be expected to build as well as guide.
Background in mentoring or training other engineers/testers is highly advantageous.
Exposure to analytics testing, data modelling, or working with analytical products.Soft Skills

Strong communication skills - confident in providing constructive feedback and driving improvement.
Comfortable presenting solutions and testing strategy to stakeholders.
Curious, solutions-focused, and excited by emerging tools (particularly AI-based testing techniques).

What's in It for You?

£75,000 salary + generous discretionary profit share scheme
Colleague discounts
Flexible hybrid working - typically 1 office visit per month after probation
Join a highly respected team of technical specialists
Make a tangible impact across business-critical data systems