Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer

Location: London - 4-day working week (Fridays off)
Salary: £85,000-£90,000

THE COMPANY

This fast-growing AI SaaS company helps organisations unlock the value of their first-party data through an innovative customer intelligence platform. Originally established as a consultancy, the business has evolved into a product-led organisation, working with enterprise clients across industries including retail, finance, travel and telecommunications to improve customer retention, engagement and commercial performance through AI-powered insights.

With around 30 employees, the company is entering an exciting growth phase with multiple AI products already live and new solutions in development. Reporting directly to the CTO, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of the engineering function.

THE ROLE

As Lead Data Engineer, you'll combine hands-on technical delivery with team leadership in a player-manager role. You'll spend around 60% of your time building robust data solutions and 40% leading a small team of three engineers.

You'll work closely with Data Science, Product and client stakeholders to build scalable data platforms that support AI models, ensuring data is collected, transformed and delivered reliably across multiple client environments. You'll also engage directly with customers to understand their objectives and help shape technical solutions that deliver commercial value.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and mentoring a team of three Data Engineers
• Designing and building scalable ETL/ELT data pipelines
• Developing robust SQL and Python-based data engineering solutions
• Working closely with Data Scientists to productionise AI models
• Ensuring high-quality data ingestion from multiple source systems
• Driving engineering best practices, CI/CD and Git-based workflows
• Building cloud-native solutions using Azure technologies, Databricks and Microsoft Fabric
• Working directly with enterprise clients to understand business requirements and deliver technical solutions
• Helping shape the future direction of the Data Engineering function as the business scales

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You should have:

• Previous experience leading or managing Data Engineers
• Strong consulting or client-facing experience
• Advanced SQL and Python skills
• Experience with PySpark
• Experience with Azure, Microsoft Fabric and Databricks (or strong cloud data engineering experience)
• CI/CD and Git experience
• Power BI knowledge
• Experience building production data pipelines
• A strong academic background with a degree from a UK university
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

THE BENEFITS

• £85,000-£90,000 salary (potential flexibility to £95,000)
• 4-day working week with every Friday off
• Office based in Holborn, London
• Report directly to the CTO
• Opportunity to build and shape the Data Engineering function
• Join an ambitious AI SaaS business during an exciting period of growth
• Work on cutting-edge AI products with genuine commercial impact

INTERVIEW PROCESS

1. Technical questions to complete at home
2. Technical interview with the Technical Architect (SQL focused)
3. Behavioural interview with the CTO
4. Final in-person interview with the CTO and senior stakeholders

HOW TO APPLY

Please register your interest by sending your CV to Max Beadle at Harnham via the Apply link on this page.