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- Tasks: Design and build a robust data infrastructure for a high-growth startup.
- Company: Join a dynamic Series A startup at the intersection of eCommerce and Fintech.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, hybrid working, and exposure to leadership.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence decisions and work in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data in a scaling business and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong SQL skills and experience with modern data tools required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are working with a high-growth Series A startup operating at the intersection of eCommerce and Fintech, building a product that is redefining how people shop online. Their proposition removes friction from the buying experience allowing customers to try before they buy, without upfront payment, bringing a more natural, in-store experience into the home. The business is scaling quickly, with strong commercial traction and increasing complexity behind the scenes. And that complexity is now centred around data.
Data sits at the heart of the business spanning customer behaviour, payments, returns, and partner performance. As the company has grown, the volume and importance of that data has outpaced the underlying infrastructure. Multiple sources, evolving definitions, and increasing reliance from across the business have created the need for a more robust, scalable foundation. They are now looking to hire a Founding Data Engineer to take ownership of that foundation. This is a pivotal hire, someone who can design, build, and define how data is structured, trusted, and used across the company.
This is not a role focused purely on pipelines or reporting. You will own the data environment end-to-end, shaping the architecture, defining standards, and enabling the wider business to make better decisions through reliable, well-structured data. You will work closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, helping translate real-world business questions into clean, usable data models. The company has also introduced an AI-assisted querying layer to make data accessible across the organisation. A key part of your role will be ensuring the outputs from that layer are accurate, well-defined, and trustworthy.
They are interested in individuals who have taken ownership of data infrastructure in a production environment and are comfortable designing for scale. Strong SQL and experience with modern data tooling (e.g. orchestration, warehousing, ETL/ELT) are expected. Beyond that, the key differentiator is mindset. They are looking for someone who:
- Thinks beyond implementation and understands the commercial impact of data
- Is naturally curious and engaged in how data is used across a business
- Is comfortable working in an environment where not everything is defined
- Takes ownership and is motivated by building things properly
You will be joining a business at a stage where:
- The product is established and scaling
- The data challenges are real and increasingly complex
- The foundations are still being defined
This offers a balance of ownership and stability - the opportunity to shape something meaningful, without the uncertainty of a true greenfield environment.
A modern, cloud-based data stack including a mix of structured and unstructured data sources, orchestration tooling, and distributed storage: RDS Postgres, MongoDB, AWS Athena, Parquet, AWS Glue, Airflow, Python, Docker, S3, GraphQL, REST. You won't know all of it, you'll be strong in your core area and curious about the rest.
Nice to have: Python proficiency, CI/CD for data workflows, graph database experience (Neo4j), startup or early-stage background. Depth in your core area is more important than experience across every tool.
Competitive salary + equity. Hybrid working (London-based). Strong exposure to leadership and decision-making. Opportunity to play a foundational role in a scaling business.
The process is designed to assess both technical capability and how you think about problems:
- Initial application + 3 short competency questions
- Introductory conversation
- Technical discussion
- In-person working session based on a real-world scenario
- Offer
The role requires more than technical delivery. The team is specifically looking for individuals who show curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in how data drives business decisions, not just how it is built.
If you are looking for a role where you can build, own, and genuinely influence, this is worth a conversation. Apply or get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Founding Data Engineer in London employer: Edison Hill Search
Contact Detail:
Edison Hill Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Data Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their product, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those technical discussions! Brush up on your SQL and data tooling knowledge. Be ready to showcase how you've tackled real-world data challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Data Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with data infrastructure and how it aligns with the role. We want to see how your skills can directly contribute to shaping our data environment.
Show Your Curiosity: In your application, let us know about your passion for data and how you've used it to drive business decisions in the past. We love candidates who are naturally curious and engaged with how data impacts a business.
Be Clear and Concise: When answering the competency questions, keep your responses clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward answers that demonstrate your thought process and problem-solving abilities.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Edison Hill Search
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the data landscape of the company. Understand their data sources, how they might be structured, and think about potential challenges they could face. This will not only show your technical knowledge but also your genuine interest in their business.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've tackled complex data issues. Think about how you can translate business questions into actionable data models. This is your chance to demonstrate your ownership mindset and how you can contribute to their data environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Tech Stack
While you don’t need to know every tool inside out, having a solid understanding of their tech stack (like AWS, SQL, and Python) will help you speak their language. Be ready to discuss how your core skills can integrate with their existing systems and what you’re curious to learn more about.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your curiosity about their data strategy and business impact. Inquire about their current data challenges and how they envision the role of a Founding Data Engineer. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but in shaping the future of their data infrastructure.