At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in transforming data infrastructure and solving complex engineering challenges.
- Company: Dynamic financial institution at the forefront of cloud and data transformation.
- Benefits: £700 per day, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative culture focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a strategic impact while mentoring talented engineers in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science or equivalent, with strong data engineering experience.
£700 per day - Inside IR35 6 months contract 3 days per week onsite - Canary Wharf
As Lead Data Engineer (VP), you will be at the forefront of a major cloud and data transformation programme - designing, building, and governing the data infrastructure that powers critical business decisions across the organisation. If you thrive on solving complex data engineering challenges, love mentoring talented engineers, and want your work to have real strategic impact, this role was made for you.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Data Engineering, you will lead a skilled team of data engineers and take ownership of the bank's data platform strategy. You will drive the migration from Legacy Oracle environments to modern cloud-based data lakehouse architectures using Databricks and Azure, while instilling best-in-class engineering practices across the team.
What You'll Be Doing
- Architecting and delivering scalable, enterprise-grade data pipelines and ELT/ETL solutions on cloud platforms.
- Leading and mentoring a team of data engineers, setting standards and fostering a high-performance engineering culture.
- Driving the migration of Legacy Oracle data systems to modern cloud data lakehouse environments (Databricks/Azure).
- Owning data modelling, integration patterns, and platform governance - including metadata management, data lineage, and MDM.
- Partnering with business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into robust, performant engineering solutions.
- Championing CI/CD, Git workflows, DevOps practices, and orchestration tooling (ADF, Airflow) across the team.
- Contributing to strategic data initiatives and presenting technical insights clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Driving process automation and identifying opportunities to optimise data operations.
Essential Skills and Experience:
- Degree-level education in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent professional experience.
- Proven, hands-on experience implementing Databricks or comparable large-scale cloud data platforms.
- Deep expertise in data modelling, Delta Lake, data lakehouse principles, and cloud data architecture.
- Strong SQL programming skills with solid working knowledge of Python and/or PySpark.
- Experience leading data engineering teams and delivering enterprise-scale solutions end to end.
- Demonstrable track record of designing high-performance data pipelines and optimising processing workloads.
- Solid understanding of Oracle database structures, stored procedures, and performance tuning.
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Git-based workflows, orchestration tools (ADF, Airflow), and DevOps practices.
- Experience with MDM, metadata management, data lineage, and data governance tooling.
- Experience migrating data from Oracle or other Legacy systems to cloud environments.
Desirable
- Relevant cloud or Databricks certifications (Azure Data Engineer Associate, Databricks Data Engineer Professional).
- Knowledge of regulatory data management within financial services or other highly regulated industries.
- Experience driving engineering guilds or communities of practice.
Who You Are
- Proactive and solution-focused - you see problems as opportunities and take ownership without being asked.
- Detail-oriented with a strong sense of accountability for the quality and reliability of your work.
- Resilient and adaptable - comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
- A collaborative team player with the presence and confidence to lead and influence at VP level.
- Curious and innovative, with a genuine appetite for challenging the status quo and driving continuous improvement.
- Passionate about sharing knowledge and developing the next generation of data engineers.
Working Pattern
This role is based at our Canary Wharf offices with a hybrid working pattern of 3 days per week onsite. There is an occasional requirement for early morning or late evening cover, as well as very infrequent weekend or Bank Holiday availability to support critical operational needs.
Data Engineering Lead employer: Computappoint
As a Lead Data Engineer at our Canary Wharf location, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team driving a major cloud and data transformation programme. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages mentorship and professional growth, offering competitive compensation and the opportunity to make a significant impact on critical business decisions. With a focus on best-in-class engineering practices and a commitment to employee development, we provide a rewarding environment for those looking to advance their careers in data engineering.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineering Lead
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the data engineering field. You never know when a casual chat could lead to your next big opportunity.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; showcase it! Create a portfolio of projects that highlight your data engineering skills, especially with Databricks and Azure. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those tricky interview questions by practising your responses. Focus on your problem-solving approach and how you’ve led teams in the past. Remember, they want to see how you think and how you can contribute to their data transformation journey.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineering Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your hands-on experience with Databricks, cloud data platforms, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data engineering and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience in mentoring and leading teams, as that's a big part of this role.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. Whether it's designing data pipelines or migrating legacy systems, we love seeing real examples of your work and how you've tackled challenges in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best chance to showcase your skills. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Computappoint
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of data modelling, cloud architectures, and the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Databricks and Azure. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've implemented them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll be expected to mentor and lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your approach to fostering a high-performance culture and driving engineering best practices.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during your interview. Brush up on SQL, Python, and any orchestration tools like ADF or Airflow. Be ready to solve problems on the spot and explain your thought process clearly, especially when it comes to designing scalable data pipelines.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Technical Stakeholders
You'll need to present complex technical insights to non-technical audiences. Practice explaining your past projects in simple terms, highlighting how your work has driven strategic impact. This will show that you can bridge the gap between technical and business needs effectively.