At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build scalable data platforms for AI and analytics.
- Company: Join HeadFirst Group, a leader in workforce solutions and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with an international team in a dynamic engineering environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI-driven workforce intelligence on a global scale.
- Qualifications: Experience with Databricks, PySpark, and strong SQL skills.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 102000 £ per year.
Build the global data backbone for AI and workforce intelligence as a Data Engineer at HeadFirst Group. Do you want to build scalable data platforms that power AI, analytics and intelligent workforce solutions on a global scale? Are you excited by modern Databricks environments, cloud-native engineering and the opportunity to help shape the future of AI-enabled platforms?
As a Data Engineer within the Global Data & AI Team of HeadFirst Group & Impellam Group, you will play a key role in building and scaling the data backbone behind our international Workforce-as-a-Service (WaaS) strategy. You will work on our internally developed Headless Data Architecture (HDA): a scalable, API-first lakehouse platform built on Azure Databricks, Delta Lake and Unity Catalog. This platform supports analytics, AI workloads and intelligent workforce solutions across Europe, North America and APAC.
What makes this role unique? You are not joining a traditional data team focused only on reporting or ETL. You will help build a modern global data platform where data engineering, AI enablement and platform scalability come together. You will work with modern technologies, AI-assisted development tooling and an international engineering team that is actively shaping the next generation of workforce intelligence.
Your impact at HeadFirst Group: As a Data Engineer, you are responsible for designing, building and optimising scalable and production-ready data pipelines within our global lakehouse ecosystem. You help create scalable and reusable data products powering analytics, AI and operational intelligence. You will contribute directly to the further development of our Headless Data Architecture (HDA), where governance and scalability are embedded into every layer of the platform.
In this role, you collaborate closely with ML/AI Engineers, Platform Engineers, Cloud Engineers and stakeholders across Europe, the UK, the US and APAC. Together, you help shape a modern cloud data platform that enables teams to exchange, govern and leverage data efficiently. You will join a growing international engineering team with significant ownership over platform decisions, engineering standards and the future direction of the platform.
What will you do?
- Design, build and maintain Bronze → Silver → Gold medallion pipelines in Azure Databricks;
- Develop scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using PySpark, Delta Lake and Databricks-native tooling;
- Build deployable data products using Lakeflow, Spark Declarative Pipelines and Databricks Asset Bundles (DABs);
- Implement reusable data contracts and scalable data product patterns;
- Manage Unity Catalog governance, lineage and access management;
- Contribute to vector search, semantic search and AI-enabled retrieval capabilities;
- Work within a global multi-lakehouse architecture, including Delta Sharing across regions;
- Collaborate with international engineering teams on platform scalability and data exchange;
- Participate in Git-based development, CI/CD workflows and code reviews;
- Monitor platform health, observability and DataOps reliability;
- Work with AI-assisted development tooling such as Claude Code and the Databricks AI Dev Kit.
About HeadFirst Group: HeadFirst Group is a leading international workforce solutions provider and the largest Managed Service Provider in the Netherlands. Every day, we connect thousands of professionals with organisations such as Rabobank, Vattenfall, government institutions and many other public and private sector clients. Through technology, data-driven insights and specialised expertise, we help organisations navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing labour market. Within our Global Data & AI Team, we are building the foundation for a truly AI-enabled and data-driven organisation. You will join an ambitious international engineering environment where innovation, ownership and collaboration are central. We combine enterprise scale with modern engineering practices and continuously invest in cloud-native technologies, AI capabilities and platform maturity.
This is an opportunity to work on a modern Databricks ecosystem with real international impact, while helping shape the future of data and AI within a global organisation.
Job requirements: We believe talent cannot always be captured in a checklist. Are you excited about the role, but do not meet every single requirement? We would still love to hear from you. Our recruitment process leaves room for different backgrounds, experiences and ways of working. Feel free to let us know what you need to perform at your best.
- 3+ years of hands-on Databricks experience in production environments;
- Strong experience with Medallion Architecture, Apache Spark, PySpark and Delta Lake;
- Experience with Databricks SQL, Unity Catalog and large-scale data engineering workloads;
- Familiarity with Lakeflow, Spark Declarative Pipelines and Databricks Asset Bundles (DABs);
- Strong SQL and Python skills;
- Experience with Git workflows, CI/CD and DataOps practices;
- Understanding of data contracts and scalable data product design;
- Familiarity with vector search, semantic search or AI-oriented data workloads is a plus;
- Experience in global or multi-lakehouse Databricks environments is a strong plus;
- Familiarity with Azure Synapse Analytics and SnapLogic;
- Strong communication skills and a pragmatic engineering mindset;
- Curiosity about AI-native engineering and modern platform development.
Ready to help shape the future of AI-driven workforce intelligence? Apply today and become part of the Global Data & AI Team at HeadFirst Group & Impellam Group. Together, we are building the global data platform powering the next generation of workforce solutions.
Data Engineer in London employer: HeadFirst
At HeadFirst Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work culture that fosters collaboration and ownership. As a Data Engineer in our Global Data & AI Team, you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies in a hybrid environment, while contributing to impactful projects that shape the future of workforce intelligence. We are committed to your professional growth, providing ample opportunities for skill development and career advancement within our international team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at HeadFirst Group on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in action! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to data engineering, make sure to highlight them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical challenges! Brush up on your Databricks, PySpark, and Delta Lake skills. Be ready to tackle some coding problems or case studies that showcase your problem-solving abilities.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Data Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Data Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Databricks, PySpark, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our global data platform!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data engineering and AI, and explain why you're excited about joining our team. Let us know how your background aligns with our mission at HeadFirst Group.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any cool data projects, don't hesitate to mention them! Whether it's building scalable ETL pipelines or using Delta Lake, we love seeing real-world applications of your skills. It helps us understand your hands-on experience better.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our innovative team at HeadFirst Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at HeadFirst
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Azure Databricks, PySpark, and Delta Lake. Brush up on your knowledge of Medallion Architecture and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of challenges you've faced in data engineering and how you overcame them. This role is all about building scalable solutions, so demonstrating your ability to think critically and solve problems will impress the interviewers.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this position involves working closely with ML/AI Engineers and other stakeholders, highlight your teamwork and communication skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated on projects in the past and how you ensure everyone is on the same page.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s data strategy, the team dynamics, or the technologies they use. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
