What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Data Engineer position at uq?
Information Technology Services (ITS) Full time, permanent position Base salary will be in line with HEW Level 8. An additional market loading may be available for exceptional candidates to increase your total salary package. Based at our St Lucia location About This Opportunity The Lead Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering UQ’s advanced analytics and data platform capabilities. This role provides technical leadership across solution architecture, design, development and operation of enterprise big data and analytics platforms, while leading teams to deliver high-quality curated data products that underpin complex analytics initiatives. Reporting to the Manager, Analytics Data Services, the position operates across both transformational projects and core operational services, balancing hands-on technical expertise with people leadership and strategic contribution. Key responsibilities will include: Lead the architecture, design, development and operation of scalable big data and analytics platforms, ensuring solutions are secure, robust and aligned with best practice Provide technical leadership across major data and analytics initiatives, including solution design, development oversight, testing and delivery within agreed timelines and budgets Lead and manage technical teams, providing clear direction, mentoring, performance management and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture Partner with stakeholders across the University to provide trusted advice on data platforms, emerging technologies and reusable curated data solutions About UQ As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave 17% superannuation contributions 17.5% annual leave loading Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program On campus childcare options Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day) Salary packaging options About You You are a senior data engineering professional with strong technical depth, a collaborative mindset and a proven ability to lead teams delivering complex data solutions in large, cloud-based environments. You will bring: A degree in IT or a related field with postgraduate qualifications (or progress towards), or an equivalent combination of experience and education Extensive experience designing, building and operating modern, cloud-based data and analytics platforms Proven capability leading people, projects and budgets while providing technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and analysts Strong experience working within agile delivery environments and managing multiple concurrent initiatives Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to design solutions that integrate systems, data and processes Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels A commitment to developing high-quality, reusable curated data assets that enable enterprise-wide analytics A strong track record of staying current with emerging data technologies, methodologies and industry best practices Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, which may include verification of the right to work in Australia, qualifications, and criminal history checks. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment. Questions? For more information about this opportunity, please contact Shirley Wood Mcleod, Associate Director, Data Services at s.woodmcleod@uq.edu.au. For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. Want to Apply? We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload: Resume A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent, particularly from Australia’s First Nations Peoples. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au. Other Information UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role. Applications close Tuesday 16 June 2026, 11.00pm AEST (R-60143). The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. At the University of Queensland, we are proud to be one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions, consistently ranking among the top 50 universities worldwide. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, UQ is widely recognised for its intensive focus on research and teaching excellence – evidenced by our numerous accolades including more teaching awards than any other Australian University and reflected in UQ being the number one recipient of ARC Fellowships and Awards nationally across all scheme years (totalling 452 awards worth $339 million). Our state-of-the-art facilities, libraries, and cutting-edge research centres offer unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional growth. With five faculties, a number of globally recognised research institutes, and over 100 research centres, we attract an interdisciplinary community of more than 7000 staff, supporting more than 55,000 current students from over 137 countries. UQ is dedicated to supporting the career aspirations of our students and staff. Our comprehensive career services provide personalized guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities to help you achieve your professional goals. Whether you are a student seeking internships and job placements or a staff member looking for career advancement, UQ is here to support you every step of the way. UQ values equity, diversity and inclusion and seeks to reflect the broader community by attracting and retaining high-quality staff from a range of backgrounds. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion aims to ensure that everyone at UQ feels valued and empowered to achieve their full potential. We are particularly interested to hear from people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA , cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability. Whether you are a recent graduate, an Academic, or an experienced professional, UQ offers a wide range of opportunities to help you grow and succeed. Explore our current job openings, discover our programs, and become part of a community that is dedicated to creating lasting, meaningful impact for the communities in which we live and work. For more information about working at UQ and our employee benefits (such as generous leave provisions, 17% superannuation, flexible working arrangements, and health and wellness discounts) please visit Why Work at UQ.