At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering projects, design scalable platforms, and mentor teams.
- Company: Dynamic consultancy focused on real-world impact and client success.
- Benefits: Up to £85,000 salary, hybrid work, and excellent career growth.
- Other info: Join a team of experts and enjoy flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering in a people-first environment.
- Qualifications: Expertise in data engineering, Azure, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 £ per year.
We're recruiting on behalf of a leading strategy, operations and digital consultancy dedicated to driving the performance of their clients. This is a people-first business that prides itself on genuine delivery, not just strategy decks, but hands-on implementation that creates lasting value.
This is a standout leadership opportunity for an experienced Lead Data Engineer who wants to own technical direction, lead multi-disciplinary teams, and work across client delivery, internal product development, and cutting-edge data platform challenges.
What You'll Be Doing
- Providing technical leadership across multiple client engagements and internal product initiatives, setting direction and assuring quality for all data engineering deliverables.
- Leading the architecture and design of scalable, secure, and cost-effective data platforms and pipelines, batch, streaming, API, event-driven, and unstructured.
- Owning end-to-end delivery governance for data engineering workstreams, including planning, estimating, budgeting, mobilisation, and RAID management.
- Defining and enforcing data engineering standards covering coding, testing, CI/CD, observability, and documentation — including design and code reviews.
- Partnering with client stakeholders to understand their data maturity, information governance requirements, and security constraints, translating those into robust roadmaps and delivery plans.
- Leading multi-disciplinary teams (data engineers, platform engineers, analysts, and data scientists) in an Agile delivery model (Discovery – Alpha – Beta – Live) aligned to GDS/DDAT standards.
- Driving platform reliability and performance, including monitoring, alerting, and incident response.
- Getting hands-on when it counts - complex pipeline development, optimisation, troubleshooting, and secure integration design.
- Coaching and mentoring data engineering practitioners and building communities of practice and reusable assets.
- Supporting business development activity including shaping proposals, thought leadership, and capability planning.
- Providing people leadership to direct reports, including objective setting, performance reviews, and development planning.
What We're Looking For
- Demonstrable expertise in data engineering, including designing and building robust pipelines for streamed, batched, and on-demand data sources.
- Must-have: hands-on experience with Databricks and Delta Lake.
- Cloud platform expertise - Azure-centric, with strong knowledge of Azure Data Factory and related Azure data services.
- Strong SQL and data modelling skills.
- Solid understanding of API-based integrations and SaaS platform connectivity.
- Proven experience leading complex data engineering workstreams end-to-end — planning, governance, risk management, and delivery assurance.
- Demonstrable leadership experience, including line management and coaching of data engineering practitioners and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences at senior levels.
- A growth mindset and genuine intellectual curiosity — energised by challenge and continuous learning.
- Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance (SC level).
Why This Role?
- Lead data engineering delivery across a genuinely varied, complex portfolio.
- Contribute to both client delivery and internal proprietary platform development.
- Join a team of subject matter experts in a people-first culture.
- Real career progression with direct exposure to senior leadership.
- Hybrid working with flexibility across home, office, and client sites.
If you're a Lead Data Engineer with a passion for technical leadership and client-side delivery, please don't hesitate to apply!
*Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will receive feedback.*
Lead Data Engineer in Bristol employer: Formula.
Join a leading strategy and digital consultancy in Bristol, where a people-first culture fosters genuine collaboration and innovation. As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and robust career progression opportunities while working alongside experts on impactful projects that drive real value for clients. This role not only allows you to lead multi-disciplinary teams but also empowers you to shape the future of data engineering within a supportive environment focused on continuous learning and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Lead Data Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to data engineering. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to get comfortable discussing your experience with Databricks, Azure, and leading teams.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through a portfolio! Create a GitHub repository or a personal website where you can display your projects, especially those involving complex data pipelines and architecture. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Databricks, Delta Lake, and Azure services to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your leadership in data engineering projects and how you've driven successful outcomes.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical expertise! We want to see your SQL prowess, data modelling skills, and any experience with API integrations. Make it easy for us to see your capabilities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Formula.
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Databricks, Delta Lake, and Azure services. Brush up on your SQL skills and be ready to discuss how you've designed and built data pipelines in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. Think about specific challenges you faced, how you managed them, and the impact of your leadership on project outcomes. This will demonstrate your capability to guide others effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll likely need to communicate with non-technical stakeholders, so being able to break down your ideas will show your ability to bridge the gap between tech and business needs.
✨Emphasise Your Growth Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you approach learning and development. Share examples of how you've tackled challenges and what you've learned from them. This will resonate well with a company that values continuous improvement and intellectual curiosity.
