In 2025, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the sixth year running.
Job Title: Data & Integration Engineer
Location: Hybrid – Manchester City Centre (1-2 days per week office-based)
Salary: Up to £49,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Please note: UK applicants only | No sponsorship available
About Us
Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care. Through our divisional brands, we work across education, care and children's services to deliver high-quality support and improve outcomes for children and young people.
As we continue to grow and invest in technology, we're looking for a Data & Integration Engineer to join our IT team and play a key role in developing data integrations, automation solutions and AI-powered technologies that support the organisation's digital transformation strategy.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing technology function where you'll be responsible for designing, developing and supporting integrations, data solutions and automation platforms across the Group.
Acting as a technical specialist, you'll work closely with business stakeholders, software providers and internal teams to ensure secure, reliable and efficient data flow between our core business applications. You'll also play a key role in developing modern data solutions using Microsoft Fabric and supporting the adoption of automation and AI technologies across the organisation.
Using tools such as Microsoft Fabric, Power Automate and Copilot Studio, you'll help improve business processes, enhance reporting capabilities and drive innovation through data and automation.
We're looking for someone with strong technical expertise, excellent problem-solving skills and a passion for using technology to deliver meaningful business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop, maintain and support integrations between key business systems and applications.
- Build and optimise data pipelines, transformation processes and data solutions using Microsoft Fabric.
- Develop and maintain Lakehouse and Warehouse solutions to support reporting, analytics and business intelligence requirements.
- Create and support automation solutions using Microsoft Power Automate to improve business efficiency.
- Design and develop Microsoft Copilot Studio agents to enhance automation and user self-service capabilities.
- Develop AI-powered solutions using Copilot Studio, Power Platform and Azure AI technologies.
- Implement best practice engineering, testing, deployment and support processes across integrations and automation solutions.
- Monitor and troubleshoot data, integration and automation services, ensuring high availability and performance.
- Ensure all solutions meet security, governance and compliance requirements.
- Work closely with stakeholders to identify opportunities to automate processes and improve data accessibility.
- Support continuous improvement across data engineering, integration, reporting and AI capabilities.
- Provide technical guidance and expertise to internal teams and third-party suppliers.
Experience, Skills & Qualifications
Essential
- Proven experience in a Data Integration Engineer, Integration Developer or similar role.
- Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, including Lakehouse, Warehouse and Data Factory solutions.
- Experience designing and developing ETL processes, data pipelines and integration solutions.
- Strong SQL and Python skills, with experience using PySpark.
- Experience building solutions using Microsoft Power Automate.
- Experience working with REST APIs, integrations and authentication methods such as OAuth and Entra ID.
- Strong understanding of data architecture, governance and security principles.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Experience supporting enterprise-scale data and integration platforms.
Desirable
- Experience with Microsoft Copilot Studio and AI-powered business solutions.
- Knowledge of Azure AI services and emerging AI technologies.
- Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Purview and data governance frameworks.
- Experience with Dataverse and wider Microsoft Power Platform technologies.
- Relevant Microsoft certifications including Fabric Data Engineer Associate, Power Platform Developer Associate or equivalent.
- Experience working within a multi-site or complex organisational environment.
Why Join Us?
You'll be joining a growing organisation where technology plays a critical role in improving services, supporting colleagues and driving innovation.
Outcomes First Group is the UK's largest independent provider of specialist education and care, operating across England, Scotland and Wales through our divisional brands including Acorn Education, Options Autism, Blenheim Schools and Momenta Connect.
By joining our central technology team, you'll have the opportunity to work on exciting transformation projects, shape the future of automation and AI within the organisation, and make a meaningful impact across the business. We value collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, providing an environment where your ideas and expertise can make a real difference.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with flexible contribution options
- "Your Wellbeing Matters" – mental and physical health support
- Family Growth Support, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Flexible benefits via Vista (Cycle to Work, Electric Car Scheme, discounts, critical illness cover and more)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS check.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of suitable applications is received. Outcomes First Group is committed to a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. While we aim to keep applicants informed, we do not accept liability for any loss of earnings or costs incurred due to delays or changes in compliance processes. All stages are subject to safeguarding checks and statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.
