Football Data Engineer

What the role involves

• Collect and clean data from many providers
• Build and maintain databases and automated reports
• Keep systems secure and reliable

Ways in, with or without formal qualifications

Experience, knowledge and interests count in football. These routes are what people in this role commonly point to.

• Experience

  Software, data or product background

  Football tech companies and clubs hire developers, data engineers and product managers who then learn the game.

• Self-built

  Build a public football data portfolio

  Use open and public football data to produce analysis, models and visualisations that you can show. A well-explained project proves skill without any certificate.

Qualifications and licences

Employers commonly ask for one or more of these.

• Short course

  Data & Analytics Courses (SQL, Python, Machine Learning)

  Short courses and certificates in data skills. Their value comes from the projects you complete with them, especially football-based projects.

• Degree

  Degree in Any Subject

  Many football employers ask for a degree in any subject as a screening requirement for graduate-level jobs. The subject matters less than evidence of skills and football involvement.

Skills and knowledge

• SQL & Databases
• Python or R Programming
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Project Management

Tools you may use

• Python
• SQL
• Dashboard tools

Where this role is found

• Top-flight clubs
• Data & analytics companies
• Sports tech & start-ups

Where this role leads

• Head of Analysis

  Helpful

  Leads performance, opposition and data analysis across the club.

• Football Tech Product Manager

  Strongly preferred

  Guides the development of football software and data products.

Common stepping stones into this role

Usually an entry point reached directly through study, volunteering, playing or work experience. See the routes below.

Pay and context by region

Illustrative estimates scaled from a UK baseline. Check local job adverts and union or association data.