Senior Data Engineer

Company description:

The NSW Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population. For more information about the NSW Department of Education, please visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/

Job description:

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners - from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing Full-Time
• Location Eveleigh with flexible working arrangements available across NSW Department of Education offices.
• A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill anticipated vacancies over the next 18 months
• Competitive remuneration ranging from $154,231 to $178,369 plus super & annual leave loading.

The NSW Department of Education is looking for energetic and ambitious candidate to join our Data Integration and AI Engineering team as a Senior Data Engineer.

You will lead the preparation, maintenance, and operation of pipelines and data solutions that integrate source systems into the NSW Department of Education's full-stack data services, working in a team to support Data Architecture and Engineering processes and standards, delivering and promoting Azure DevOps-driven practices.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

• Proven experience (5 years+) in working with multiple data sets, computing tools, and data transformation languages such as SQL and Python in a cloud environment, including 3+ years' expert-level PySpark and SQL, with experience optimising performance and cost for Spark/Delta workloads at scale.
• Extensive in agile data development and operations
• Hands-on experience with Azure Synapse Analytics and Microsoft Fabric (Spark + Pipelines), including designing and implementing lakehouse and data platform frameworks.
• Translate business requirements into technical specifications; communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Design, develop, and maintain end-to-end scalable data solutions to meet departmental needs.
• Perform root cause analysis and defect triage to maintain data reliability; interpret trends for prescriptive and predictive modelling
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering or related field) or equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role and respond to the following pre-screening questions.

1. Describe your hands-on experience with Azure Synapse Analytics and/or Microsoft Fabric, including any work with PySpark and Delta Lake. Please include specific examples of performance you've implemented on Spark/Delta workloads. (response 300 words max)
2. Tell us about a time you designed and implemented an end-to-end data platform or lakehouse solution. What was your role, which tools did you use, and what business outcome did it deliver? (response 300 words max)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department's values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates not currently employed by the Department must provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number. Renewal is not required after the WWCC expires, as long as you remain in a non-child-related role. Employer obligations only apply while the WWCC is valid.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date: Thursday 10 September 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Robbie Younes at ••••@det.nsw.edu.au

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education's Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.