Nova Systems is a leading engineering services and technology solutions company, partnering with our clients to keep nations and people safe and secure. At Nova, we work collaboratively to achieve our vision while staying true to our values of Trust, Professionalism, Community and Passion. We are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace and value diversity in all its forms.
The Role - Data Engineer
As a Data Engineer within the Modelling & Simulation (M&S) domain, you will play a key role in developing data solutions that underpin experimentation and capability assessment for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). You will work with M&S engineers, software engineers, analysts and domain specialists to capture, transform and manage simulation data, making it available for analysis and exploitation.
You will develop the data pipelines, structures and supporting tools required to turn complex simulation outputs into reliable and accessible datasets, enabling experimentation and evidence-based decision-making.
Key Accountabilities
- Design, develop and maintain data pipelines to ingest, transform and structure simulation and experimentation data for analysis and exploitation.
- Develop data models and structures to support the efficient storage, retrieval and use of simulation data across MOD projects and related M&S activities.
- Integrate data flows between simulation and analytical environments, working with M&S and software engineers to implement appropriate interfaces.
- Develop and automate data processing workflows to enable repeatable and efficient processing of simulation and experimentation data.
- Implement data quality and validation processes to ensure simulation outputs are complete, consistent and suitable for their intended use.
- Support the exploitation of simulation data, working with analysts and domain specialists to ensure data is structured and accessible for experimentation, analysis and visualisation.
Essential Requirements and Technical Capabilities:
- Experience using Python for data processing, transformation and automation.
- Experience using SQL for querying, joining and managing structured datasets.
- Experience developing and maintaining data pipelines and ETL processes.
- Understanding of data modelling and data structures to support storage, retrieval and analysis.
- Experience working with CSV and JSON data.
- Understanding of data quality and validation to ensure data is reliable and suitable for its intended use.
- Ability to develop and operate data solutions within offline or restricted environments.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience within Defence Modelling & Simulation, experimentation or capability assessment, particularly within the Air and/or Maritime domains.
- Experience extracting and processing data from modelling and simulation systems.
- Understanding of experiment design and statistical analysis.
- Experience working with large or complex datasets, including simulation-generated data.
- Experience with data workflow automation and repeatable data processing.
- Experience developing data visualisations to support the interpretation of simulation and experimentation data.
Security Requirements:
- UK Citizenship (mandatory – no dual passport) & Ability to hold Security Clearance (SC)
Ways of Working The work supports hybrid working with a blend of home working, client sites (MOD Farnborough) and one of our offices, where we come together with the rest of the team to integrate and test. Nova Systems is committed to supporting professional and career development. Coding tasks will be diverse in nature, providing opportunities to develop a broad range of technical skills while delivering to clients. In conjunction with your professional development plan and allowance benefit there is opportunity for growth in both technical capability and responsibility. Work is underpinned by a robust digital infrastructure, providing access to modern software development tools and secure code repositories.
Location We support any client/onsite workdays with travel expense and accommodation if/when required, this supports you being based anywhere in the Midlands or South of England if you are happy to commute for those days where the team collaborates onsite, which is typically 2-3 days a week with the rest being home or office based. We do try our best to ensure we can be as flexible as possible and offer work from home options to balance the days, however due the sensitive nature of some of our projects, being onsite with the MOD is necessary.
The client site is located at Cody Technology Park, Farnborough, Hampshire which is where the work will be based.
Our Main Nova Office Locations Bristol, Corsham nr Bath, and Stokenchurch, near High Wycombe.
Why Join Us
At Nova Systems, you’ll be part of a mission-driven team that values innovation, trust, and collaboration. We offer a supportive environment for learning and development, backed by our professional development allowance, mentoring, and opportunities to work on impactful UK and global defence projects.
Salary, Benefits & Perks
- Salary Range £40,000-£55,000 dependant on experience
- 8.5% Matched Salary Sacrifice Pension
- Annual Professional Development Allowance
- 5 days Development Leave
- 25 days Annual Leave + UK Public Holidays
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- Reservist Leave
- Loyalty Leave
- Private Medical Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Upto 6 Weeks Sick Pay
- Employee Assistance Program
- Reward & Recognition Programme
- Discounts and more
- Flexible and Hybrid working
- Free Parking
- Travel expenses paid to client sites
Please note - Due to the nature of the work Nova does with the UK Ministry of Defence we are required to comply with government regulations related to BPSS background checks and security clearances, refusal to participate will result in withdrawal of the offer. We must also obtain your citizenship and country of birth information at the beginning of the recruitment process; Non-UK nationals and anyone holding dual passports are not eligible for this specific role.
We are committed to increasing diversity of staff within Nova Systems International and within the aerospace and engineering sector. We welcome applications from everyone who meets the requirements of the role description, and we are committed to equal opportunity, equal treatment, and respect for every individual.
At Nova Systems International we are proud supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recognize the value that serving personnel, reservists, veterans, and military families bring to our business.
We offer, and value, flexible working and we are also proud to be committed to mental health awareness and to actively support the wellbeing of our team. If you have special access requirements, please do let us know.
NO AGENCY SUPPORT REQUIRED
