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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate high-impact data initiatives using Databricks and Azure services.
- Company: Howden, a global insurance group with a strong employee ownership culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid options, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team driving change in a modern data ecosystem.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in data engineering with expertise in Databricks and Azure.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor junior engineers and influence best practices.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Howden is a global insurance group with employee ownership at its heart. Together, we have pushed the boundaries of insurance. We are united by a shared passion and no-limits mindset, and our strength lies in our ability to collaborate as a powerful international team comprised of 23,000 employees spanning over 56 countries. People join Howden for many different reasons, but they stay for the same one: our culture. It’s what sets us apart, and the reason our employees have been turning down headhunters for years. Whatever your priorities – work / life balance, career progression, sustainability, volunteering – you’ll find like-minded people driving change at Howden.
Howden Group Services is expanding its internal data engineering capability and is looking for a highly experienced Senior Data Engineer with deep expertise in Databricks and Azure data services. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in designing and delivering scalable, metadata-driven data solutions, particularly in metadata ingestion and orchestration processes. The role requires a strategic thinker who can lead technical design discussions, drive best practices, and mentor junior engineers. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple deliverables, working closely with stakeholders, and implementing robust data solutions to enable business insights and operational efficiencies.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of metadata ingestion frameworks and orchestration processes.
- Design and implement scalable and reusable metadata-driven services to optimise data pipelines.
- Architect and maintain robust data solutions using Databricks and Azure services (such as Azure Data Factory, Synapse, and ADLS).
- Establish and enforce best practices for data engineering, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps for data.
- Collaborate with business stakeholders, data scientists, and analysts to understand data needs and translate them into efficient engineering solutions.
- Optimise and enhance existing data pipelines for performance, reliability, and scalability.
- Drive the adoption of data governance and security best practices.
- Lead the design and maintenance of ETL processes.
- Mentor and support junior engineers, sharing best practices and driving a culture of continuous improvement.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in data engineering with a strong focus on Databricks (SQL & PySpark).
- Extensive experience with Azure data services, including ADF, Synapse, ADLS, and Azure Functions.
- Proven track record of designing and implementing metadata-driven data pipelines.
- Deep expertise in orchestration and data workflow automation e.g. Airflow, DBT.
- Strong understanding of CI/CD practices for data engineering.
- Experience with infrastructure as code (Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates) (preferred).
- Solid development and coding standards, with experience in software engineering best practices.
- Experience leading technical design discussions and driving architectural decisions.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into data solutions.
- Knowledge of data governance, security, and compliance best practices.
- Experience working with insurance data (not essential, but preferred).
This role is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Data Engineer who wants to take on a leadership role, influence best practices, and drive high-impact data initiatives in a modern Azure-based data ecosystem.
What do we offer in return?
Our successes have all come from someone brave enough to try something new. We support each other in the small everyday moments and the bigger challenges. We are determined to make a positive difference at work and beyond.
Reasonable adjustments
We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodations at Howden to ensure that our positions align well with your needs. Besides the usual adjustments such as software, IT, and office setups, we can also accommodate other changes such as flexible hours or hybrid working. If you’re excited by this role but have some doubts about whether it’s the right fit for you, send us your application – if your profile fits the role’s criteria, we will be in touch to assist in helping to get you set up with any reasonable adjustments you may require.
Lead Data Engineer employer: Howden Group Holdings
Contact Detail:
Howden Group Holdings Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Howden on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role focuses on Databricks and Azure, make sure you can discuss your experience with these tools confidently. Practice explaining your past projects and how they relate to the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for data engineering! During interviews, share your thoughts on industry trends and how you can contribute to Howden's mission. This will demonstrate that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨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 Howden team and ready to embrace our culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for data engineering! Share why you're excited about the role and how your values align with our culture at Howden. A personal touch can make your application stand out.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Databricks and Azure services. We want to see how your skills match the specific requirements of the Lead Data Engineer position, so don’t hold back on those relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us a story about your journey in data engineering. Explain how you've led teams or projects, and how you can contribute to our mission at Howden. Keep it engaging and concise!
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howden Group Holdings
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Databricks and Azure data services. Brush up on your knowledge of metadata ingestion frameworks and orchestration processes, as these will likely be key discussion points during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading technical design discussions and mentoring junior engineers. Howden values collaboration, so demonstrating your ability to guide a team will set you apart.
✨Understand the Business Needs
Familiarise yourself with Howden’s business model and how data engineering supports their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can translate business requirements into efficient data solutions that drive insights and operational efficiencies.
✨Emphasise Best Practices
Be prepared to talk about your approach to establishing best practices in data engineering, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps. Highlight any experience you have with data governance and security, as these are crucial for the role.