Overview
Derby County are seeking a Data Engineer to join the Sporting Intelligence Department in a hybrid role based at Moor Farm Training Centre. The role involves designing, building, and maintaining robust, scalable data pipelines and tools across the club’s market-leading platforms to deliver reliable, high‑quality data for First Team and Academy stakeholders in scouting, recruitment, match analysis, and sports science.
Key Role Responsibilities
* Lead the design and evolution of data engineering standards, patterns, and best practices to ensure pipelines and tools are scalable, maintainable, and high‑quality.
* Develop and manage the club’s centralised data platform, driving reliability, performance, and continuous improvement.
* Build and maintain robust pipelines integrating APIs and internal systems into Palantir Foundry.
* Automate and optimise workflows to improve efficiency and reduce manual processes.
* Implement testing, validation, documentation, and version control to ensure reliable, reproducible outputs.
* Design and manage data models and master datasets, including unified player, team, and competition entities that align provider identifiers to create a trusted single source of truth for football analysis.
* Support advanced analytical workflows, including the use of Palantir AIP tools.
* Monitor pipeline performance, troubleshoot issues, and proactively identify and integrate new data sources and relevant technologies.
* Ensure strong data governance, security, compliance, and proactive performance monitoring.
* Collaborate with the Data and Analytics Lead and wider data analytics team to deliver scalable, insight‑driven solutions to football challenges.
Personal Characteristics & Experience
* Proven experience in data engineering, building and maintaining scalable data pipelines across the full development lifecycle.
* Hands‑on experience with ETL/ELT development in production environments, including testing, version control, and CI/CD.
* Strong proficiency in Python, PySpark, and SQL for data processing and transformation.
* Experience working with large, complex datasets and integrating multiple data sources.
* Experience implementing monitoring, logging, or observability practices.
* Familiarity with APIs, workflow automation, and cloud storage solutions.
* Experience with dimensional data modelling (e.g., star schemas, conformed dimensions) for building reliable analytical data structures.
* Ability to collaborate effectively with the Data and Analytics Lead and football departments, explaining technical decisions and concepts clearly.
* Strong understanding of modern paradigms (ELT, streaming, orchestration, testable data pipelines, modular frameworks).
* Demonstrated experience building or operating cloud‑native data platforms (e.g., Foundry, Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery, Synapse).
* Strong communication skills for liaising with external data providers and internal stakeholders.
* Proactive problem‑solving and troubleshooting under pressure in a fast‑paced, performance‑driven environment.
* Experience with Palantir Foundry or similar data platforms is desirable.
* Understanding of mathematical modelling, statistical analysis, or hypothesis testing is desirable.
* Experience in sports analytics or working with performance data is desirable.
Qualifications
* Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional training, apprenticeships, or industry‑recognised qualifications.
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is desirable but not essential.
Benefits
* Competitive salary dependent on experience.
* Full‑time role with flexible hybrid working model, splitting time between home and club sites.
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
* Two complimentary staff season tickets.
* Two complimentary staff away memberships, subject to availability.
* Discounts with select club partners and sponsors.
* HealthshieldCash Health Plan and other wellness perks.
* Participating in employee forum, ‘The Herd’ and staff events.
* Training and development opportunities.
* Access to programmes and volunteering opportunities with Derby County Community Trust.
* Subsidised lunchtime meals at Moor Farm.
Additional Information
Derby County Football Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants for this role will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Criminal Record Check. The club is an inclusive club for all and is committed to Equality and Diversity.
To apply, please complete an application form, which can be found here. The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday, 15 March 2026. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early. Strictly no agencies please.
#J-18808-Ljbffr