Location
Central London with some occasional wider UK travel
Salary
£74,624 and a recruitment and retention allowance of £6,251, with opportunities for additional allowances and a skills‑related payment under the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability (GDDPC) Framework – formerly known as DDaT.
Flexible Working
We support full time, part‑time, compressed, job share and other flexible working patterns. Due to the nature of our work this is an office‑based role, therefore opportunities for remote working and/or working from home are not possible.
About Us
We’re MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Our mission is to protect the security and economic well‑being of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism and cyber‑attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence.
The Role
We are creating dedicated teams focused on bringing Artificial Intelligence (AI) into some of our most mission‑critical areas. As a Lead Data Engineer you’ll work in an environment where data supports MI6’s frontline teams and core enterprise operations.
Responsibilities
Day to day you’ll lead the design, build and optimisation of secure, scalable data pipelines across complex environments, ensuring sensitive, high‑volume data is onboarded, processed and used safely and effectively. You’ll work closely with operational officers, analysts, engineers and partners to integrate new data sources and enable advanced, AI‑driven workflows. Acting as a bridge between technical and non‑technical stakeholders, you’ll translate requirements into practical, high‑impact solutions.
In addition to technical delivery you will provide direct engineering leadership, mentor junior engineers and shape best practice across teams. You will also support the evaluation, integration and ethical oversight of LLMs and agentic AI systems while driving exploration and prototyping of emerging technologies.
About You
You’re a curious, motivated person who enjoys solving problems in unstructured environments where no two challenges look the same. You are comfortable working independently, building data pipelines and developing robust data models with strong core technical skills grounded in data modelling or Python‑based ecosystems, rather than low‑code tools.
You are comfortable engaging with both technical and non‑technical audiences, translating complex ideas into clear, actionable insights, and you enjoy shaping solutions collaboratively.
At this level you bring either deep technical expertise or strong leadership experience, whether through mentoring others or managing people. You also have exposure to modern AI and LLM‑enabled workflows, including testing, evaluation and ethical considerations.
Training and Development
We invest in professional development and you’ll have access to a broad mix of learning opportunities, including in‑house and online training, technical deep dives and development pathways tailored to your interests. You will also have the support to strengthen your capability across modern AI techniques and wider security practices, with a variety of courses available.
We use the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework to guide your growth and provide support for specialist accreditation, advanced AI training and broader professional recognition.
Alongside formal training you’ll benefit from mentoring, peer support and a collaborative community that shares knowledge openly.
Rewards and Benefits
You will receive a starting salary of £74,624 and a recruitment and retention allowance of £6,251, plus additional benefits:
* 25 days annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privileged holidays
* Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
* Interest‑free season ticket loan
* Cycle to work scheme
* Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on‑site coffee bars (at some locations)
* Paid parental and adoption leave
* Interest‑free loan to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation
Equal Opportunities
At MI6 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those with disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, and those from under‑represented groups such as women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and individuals from low socio‑economic backgrounds.
Eligibility
To work at MI6 you must be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance – Developed Vetting (DV). A strict drugs policy applies.
Contact
For further information about our culture, working environment and diversity, visit https://www.sis.gov.uk/explore-careers.html
#J-18808-Ljbffr