Overview

Join to apply for the Python Engineer role at Sainsbury's.

We’ve invested in a modern software engineering environment to handle the scale of data, transactions and variety involved in feeding the nation. We iterate, learn, experiment and push ways of working such as Agile, Scrum and XP, with opportunities across areas from AI to reusable tech.

About The Role

As a Python Data Software Engineer, you’ll be part of a multi-disciplinary team building scalable data solutions that power operational decision-making across Sainsbury’s. You’ll work closely with data architects, analysts, and engineers to design and implement robust data pipelines and services using Python and cloud-native technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain data pipelines using Python, Kafka, SQL, and cloud services (AWS preferred).
• Build services to expose data for internal applications and analytics platforms.
• Optimise data ingestion, transformation, and storage processes for performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand data requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Apply software engineering best practices including version control (Git), CI/CD, automated testing, and code reviews.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and help shape the engineering strategy for data products.
• Implement and maintain monitoring and observability solutions to ensure data systems are reliable, performant, and transparent.

Essential Criteria

• Background in software engineering with a strong focus on data systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python, with experience in building production-grade data applications.
• Solid understanding of SQL and data modelling principles.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), especially data services like S3, Lambda, Glue, or Redshift.
• Knowledge of containerisation (Docker) and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform or CloudFormation).
• Ability to work in agile teams and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Kafka and AVRO is a plus.
• Experience with dbt, Poetry, or Conduktor.
• Exposure to data privacy and PII handling best practices.
• Knowledge of orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow).

Benefits

We are committed to being a truly inclusive retailer, with flexible working where possible and a comprehensive range of benefits. See www.sainsburys.jobs for details. Benefits include colleague discount, pension, life cover, performance-related bonus (up to 10% of salary), annual holiday allowance with buy/sell options, season ticket loans, cycle to work, health plans, pay advance, retailer discounts, and employee assistance programme.

Moments that matter are important to us, so we offer up to 26 weeks’ maternity/adoption leave and up to 4 weeks’ paternity leave, where eligible.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Retail