Apprenticeship - Data Engineer Level 5

Cummins Ltd

Darlington (DL1 4BS)

Closes on Sunday 8 March 2026

Posted on 28 January 2026


Summary

The Data Engineering Apprentice role is a developmental position within the Digital Team. During the apprenticeship you will work 5 days per week, inclusive of 1 day per week for study at BPP University. On completion of this apprenticeship, you will obtain a Level 5 Data Engineering qualification.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Data engineer (level 5)
Hours
The working hours are 08:00 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 - 13:30 Friday.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 19 May 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

We are looking for an enthusiastic Apprentice to join our team specialising in Data Engineering for our Engine Business Segment in Darlington, UK. During your apprenticeship with us, you will learn how a major global organisation operates, gaining the tools and exposure you will need to become an expert in the industry and power your potential!

In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:

  • Build and Optimise Data Pipelines & Systems
  • Manage and Integrate Data Across Platforms
  • Support Data Quality, Governance, and Compliance
  • Analyse Requirements and Design Data Solutions
  • Collaborate Across Digital & Business Teams
  • Maintain and Support Evolving Data Products

To be successful in this role you will need the following:

  • Mathematics at GCSE grade 7 or above (essential)
  • Science at GCSE grade 6,6 if double or above (if applicant has completed separate sciences Physics 6, Chemistry 4, Biology 4) (essential)
  • English Language at GCSE grade 5 or above (essential)
  • Level 3 qualifications in IT or related subjects (essential)
  • Strong numerical and logical skills with Problem solving techniques and strategies
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with some creativity and innovation skills

Why Cummins?

As an apprentice at Cummins, you will have the chance to develop your skills and knowledge in a supportive and dynamic environment. Our program is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience that prepares you for a successful career in the industry.

Where you'll work

Yarm Road
Darlington
DL1 4BS

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

BPP UNIVERSITY LIMITED

Training course

Data engineer (level 5)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Collate, evaluate and refine user requirements to design the data product.
  • Collate, evaluate and refine business requirements including cost, resourcing, and accessibility to design the data product.
  • Design a data product to serve multiple needs and with scalability, efficiency, and security in mind.
  • Automate data pipelines such as batch, real-time, on demand and other processes using programming languages and data integration platforms with graphical user interfaces.
  • Produce and maintain technical documentation explaining the data product, that meets organisational, technical and non-technical user requirements, retaining critical information.
  • Systematically clean, validate, and describe data at all stages of extract, transform, load (ETL).
  • Work with different types of data stores, such as SQL, NoSQL, and distributed file system.
  • Identify and troubleshoot issues with data processing pipelines.
  • Query and manipulate data using tools and programming such as SQL and Python. Manage database access, and implement automated validation checks.
  • Communicate downtime and issues with database access to stakeholders to mitigate the operational impact of unforeseen issues.
  • Evaluate opportunities to extract value from existing data products through further development, considering costs, environmental impact and potential operational benefits.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of data use cases within organisations.
  • Use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation.
  • Identify new tools and technologies and recommend potential opportunities for use in own department or organisation.
  • Optimise data ingestion processes by making use of appropriate data ingestion frameworks such as batch, streaming and on-demand.
  • Develop algorithms and processes to extract structured data from unstructured sources.
  • Apply and advocate for software development best practice when working with other data professionals throughout the business. Contribute to standards and ways of working that support software development principles.
  • Develop simple forecasts and monitoring tools to anticipate or respond immediately to outages and incidents.
  • Identify and escalate risks with suggested mitigation/resolutions as appropriate.
  • Investigate and respond to incidents, identifying the root cause and resolution with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Identify and remediate technical debt, assess for updates and obsolescence as part of continuous improvement.
  • Develop, maintain collaborative relationships using adaptive business methodology with stakeholders such as, business users, data scientists, data analysts and business intelligence teams.
  • Present, communicate, and disseminate messages about the data product, tailoring the message and medium to the needs of the audience.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of prototype data products and how these integrate within an organisation’s overarching data infrastructure.
  • Assess and identify gaps in existing tools and technologies in respect of implementing changes required.
  • Identify data quality metrics and track them to ensure the quality, accuracy and reliability of the data product.
  • Selects and apply sustainable solutions to contribute to net zero and environmental strategies across the various stages of product and service delivery.
  • Horizon scanning to identify new technologies that offer increased performance of data products.
  • Implement personal strategies to keep up to date with new technology and ways of working.
  • Collate, evaluate and refine user requirements to design the data product.
  • Collate, evaluate and refine business requirements including cost, resourcing, and accessibility to design the data product.
  • Design a data product to serve multiple needs and with scalability, efficiency, and security in mind.
  • Automate data pipelines such as batch, real-time, on demand and other processes using programming languages and data integration platforms with graphical user interfaces.
  • Produce and maintain technical documentation explaining the data product, that meets organisational, technical and non-technical user requirements, retaining critical information.
  • Systematically clean, validate, and describe data at all stages of extract, transform, load (ETL).
  • Work with different types of data stores, such as SQL, NoSQL, and distributed file system.
  • Identify and troubleshoot issues with data processing pipelines.
  • Query and manipulate data using tools and programming such as SQL and Python. Manage database access, and implement automated validation checks.
  • Communicate downtime and issues with database access to stakeholders to mitigate the operational impact of unforeseen issues.
  • Evaluate opportunities to extract value from existing data products through further development, considering costs, environmental impact and potential operational benefits.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of data use cases within organisations.
  • Use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation.
  • Identify new tools and technologies and recommend potential opportunities for use in own department or organisation.
  • Optimise data ingestion processes by making use of appropriate data ingestion frameworks such as batch, streaming and on-demand.
  • Develop algorithms and processes to extract structured data from unstructured sources.
  • Apply and advocate for software development best practice when working with other data professionals throughout the business. Contribute to standards and ways of working that support software development principles.
  • Develop simple forecasts and monitoring tools to anticipate or respond immediately to outages and incidents.
  • Identify and escalate risks with suggested mitigation/resolutions as appropriate.
  • Investigate and respond to incidents, identifying the root cause and resolution with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Identify and remediate technical debt, assess for updates and obsolescence as part of continuous improvement.
  • Develop, maintain collaborative relationships using adaptive business methodology with stakeholders such as, business users, data scientists, data analysts and business intelligence teams.
  • Present, communicate, and disseminate messages about the data product, tailoring the message and medium to the needs of the audience.
  • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of prototype data products and how these integrate within an organisation’s overarching data infrastructure.
  • Assess and identify gaps in existing tools and technologies in respect of implementing changes required.
  • Identify data quality metrics and track them to ensure the quality, accuracy and reliability of the data product.
  • Selects and apply sustainable solutions to contribute to net zero and environmental strategies across the various stages of product and service delivery.
  • Horizon scanning to identify new technologies that offer increased performance of data products.
  • Implement personal strategies to keep up to date with new technology and ways of working.

Training schedule

Data Engineer Level 5.

During the apprenticeship you will work 5 days per week, inclusive of 1 day per week for study at BPP University. The working hours are 08:00 - 16:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:00 - 13:30 Friday. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 5/B or above)
  • Math's (grade 7 or above)
  • Science (grade 6/B or above)

Other in:

IT or relevant subject (grade Pass/C)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

Cummins Turbo Technologies is the only manufacturer focused solely on medium- to heavy-duty diesel engine turbo technologies. For more than 60 years, we have delivered innovative, reliable turbocharger solutions for our customers. Our vision for turbocharger solutions, thanks to our rich company heritage derived from our Holset® brand, sets us apart as a technology leader.

https://www.cummins.com/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Possibility of a potential permanent employment through open vacancies.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BPP UNIVERSITY LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000011003.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 8 March 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.