At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to design and maintain scalable data pipelines using modern tools.
- Company: Join CRU International, a leader in business intelligence for metals and mining.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with industry experts and diverse projects.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data products and make a real impact in the commodity industry.
- Qualifications: Degree in tech or equivalent experience; 10+ years in data engineering required.
CRU International is a leading provider of business intelligence and consulting services in the metals, mining, and fertilizer industries. With over 50 years of experience, we offer valuable insights and analysis that help our clients make informed decisions in an ever-changing global market.
About the role:
We are looking for a Lead Data Engineer to take ownership of a business domain within our modern Snowflake, Airflow, and dbt data platform. This role will combine hands‑on technical leadership with team coordination, helping ensure stable platform operations, strong data quality, and efficient delivery of the product roadmap. You will play a key part in shaping how data products are designed, built, and improved, supporting the delivery of reliable analytics for the commodity industry.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead a small team of data engineers responsible for a specific business domain within the data platform.
- Own the design, development, and ongoing maintenance of scalable data pipelines that support new and existing data products.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand data requirements, translate needs into technical solutions, and communicate delivery plans clearly.
- Ensure data quality, consistency, and reliability through the use of modern testing, validation, and monitoring tools.
- Design and implement new pipelines using best-in-class tools such as Airflow, dbt, and Snowflake.
- Contribute to the development of scalable cloud infrastructure on Azure, including infrastructure as code using Terraform.
- Promote engineering best practices, including clean code, maintainability, testing, and strong documentation.
- Support continuous improvement across the team by identifying opportunities to improve delivery, reliability, and operational efficiency.
- Stay current with emerging data engineering tools, techniques, and approaches, bringing fresh ideas and a continuous improvement mindset.
- Encourage a collaborative, delivery‑focused team culture that values quality, innovation, and accountability.
Qualifications:
- Degree‑level education in a technology‑focused subject such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent experience through professional qualifications and industry background.
- Strong academic or professional track record in a relevant technical discipline.
Skills & Experience:
- 10+ years of experience in data‑related roles, with the majority in data engineering.
- Strong hands‑on experience with Snowflake, ideally 3+ years.
- Strong hands‑on experience with dbt, ideally 3+ years.
- Experience leading small data engineering teams, ideally 2–3 engineers.
- Experience designing, building, and maintaining data processing systems at scale.
- Experience with Azure cloud services, Airflow, dbt, Kubernetes, GitHub, and Terraform.
- Experience working in fast‑moving, high‑growth, or startup‑like environments is preferred.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain data warehouse plans and technical decisions to internal clients and stakeholders.
- A curious, delivery‑focused mindset with a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Hands‑on problem‑solving ability and a practical approach to getting things working reliably.
- Contributions to open‑source software or an active GitHub profile would be an advantage.
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development as part of a global company.
- A collaborative and supportive work environment.
- The chance to work with industry‑leading experts and over a diverse range of topics and projects.
Lead Data Engineer employer: CRU
CRU International is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where innovation and quality are at the forefront. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will not only lead a talented team but also have access to professional growth opportunities within a global company renowned for its expertise in the metals, mining, and fertilizer industries. With a competitive salary and flexible benefits package, CRU International fosters a culture that values continuous improvement and encourages employees to stay ahead of emerging technologies.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like CRU!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Lead Data Engineer at CRU.
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Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like CRU.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Lead Data Engineer at CRU, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at CRU, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at CRU. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at CRU
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at CRU!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
