Senior/Lead Data Engineer - Contract (Inside IR35) - Hybrid/Remote (UK-Based)
We are seeking a Senior/Lead Data Engineer to take ownership of high-impact data projects across multiple environments. This is a hands-on technical role with leadership responsibilities, ideal for someone who thrives in complex, fast-moving settings and can confidently guide both the technical direction and stakeholder engagement.
About the Role
As a Senior or Lead Data Engineer, you'll not only design and build modern, scalable data solutions but also mentor team members, engage with senior stakeholders, and help drive clarity in ambiguous or evolving situations. You'll be working across cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and using modern data tools like dbt, Snowflake, and Databricks.
This role is perfect for someone who can bridge the gap between business and technology, take the initiative, and ensure projects stay aligned with strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the technical delivery of data engineering projects, from architecture to deployment
- Collaborate with business stakeholders to define requirements, manage expectations, and translate needs into scalable solutions
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior and mid-level engineers
- Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities with confidence, helping teams remain focused and productive
- Champion engineering best practices across development, testing, deployment, and documentation
- Ensure solutions are secure, reliable, and cost-effective in cloud environments
Required Skills and Experience
- Proven experience as a Senior or Lead Data Engineer in a cloud-native environment
- Strong communication skills, with experience working directly with stakeholders and cross-functional teams
- Excellent problem-solving ability, especially when facing unclear or incomplete requirements
- 3+ years of experience designing and implementing Snowflake solutions
- Expert-level SQL and strong proficiency in Python, Scala, or Java
- Solid experience with ETL/ELT pipelines using dbt
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Familiarity with orchestration tools like Airflow, Dagster, or Azure Data Factory
Desirable Skills
- Background in software engineering or DevOps practices (CI/CD, version control, testing)
- Experience with streaming technologies (e.g., Kafka, Kinesis)
- Exposure to deploying AI/ML models in production environments
- Knowledge of tools like Databricks, BigQuery, or Microsoft Fabric
