At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and build of innovative data pipelines and shape the data strategy.
- Company: Fast-growing risk tech SaaS business with a vibrant culture in central Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and strong pension.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid work model with excellent training and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Deep PostgreSQL experience and strong AWS data stack knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 € per year.
We're working with one of our longest-standing clients, a fast-growing risk tech SaaS business based in central Manchester. They build genuinely impressive products that combine data and AI to serve SMEs and risk teams, and right now they're looking for a Lead Data Engineer to own the backbone of their data platform. The tech is exciting, the team is strong, and the culture is a real standout. This is a business where people genuinely enjoy coming to work.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership position. You'll be designing and building near real-time data pipelines, setting the standards the rest of the team will follow, and helping shape the wider data strategy. It's a genuine opportunity to leave your mark on a platform that's central to everything the business does.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning the ETL layer end-to-end, from PostgreSQL and SaaS sources through to the AWS data stack
- Building anonymisation and multi-tenant isolation into the platform from the ground up
- Championing data quality, treating data like a product, with tests, contracts and observability baked in
- Contributing to strategic decisions around warehouse vs lakehouse, build vs buy, batch vs streaming
- Setting the engineering bar for how the data team writes Python, SQL and infrastructure-as-code
What They're Looking For
Core experience needed:
- PostgreSQL at depth: logical replication, WAL, schema design
- CDC and event streaming using Debezium, Kafka, MSK, Kinesis, DMS or similar
- SaaS source ingestion via custom connectors or tools like Fivetran, Airbyte or Stitch
- Strong AWS data stack experience: S3, Glue, Lambda, Step Functions, Iceberg
- Senior Python and fluent SQL, typed and tested
- Privacy and multi-tenant isolation: pseudonymisation, PII redaction, RLS, IAM patterns
- Production discipline: data quality tooling (Great Expectations, Soda or equivalent) and IaC (Terraform or CDK)
Bonus points for:
- Dimensional modelling, experience with Redshift, Snowflake, BigQuery or Databricks, reverse ETL, Airflow or Dagster, data lineage and cataloguing, or GRC / RegTech / FinTech domain exposure.
The Package
£70,000 - £85,000 (with some flexibility for the right person), 30 days holiday + your birthday off, full private healthcare including dental, electric vehicle scheme, strong pension, genuine training, development and progression support, 2 days per week in the Manchester city centre office, the rest from home.
This is a brilliant role for a senior data engineer who's ready to step up, lead, and make a real impact at a business that's scaling fast and doing genuinely interesting work. If that sounds like you, get in touch. We'd love to tell you more.
At Inara Talent, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance to shine. We connect great people from all backgrounds with opportunities where they can thrive making sure hiring is fair, inclusive, and genuinely diverse. No matter your background, we focus on what matters: your talent.
Lead Data Engineer employer: Inara
Join a fast-growing risk tech SaaS business in central Manchester, where innovation meets a vibrant work culture. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while enjoying generous benefits such as 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. This is not just a job; it's a chance to be part of a team that genuinely enjoys coming to work and making a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving PostgreSQL, AWS, and data pipelines. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python and SQL skills. Be ready to discuss your approach to data quality and how you’ve tackled challenges in past projects. Confidence and clarity can really set you apart!
✨Apply Through Us!
We’ve got your back! Apply through our website to get direct access to opportunities like this Lead Data Engineer role. We know the ins and outs of the companies we work with, so we can help you shine during the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PostgreSQL, AWS, and any relevant data engineering projects. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our exciting projects. Keep it engaging and personal – we love getting to know you!
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any cool data projects, make sure to mention them! Whether it's building data pipelines or implementing data quality tools, we want to see your hands-on experience and how you've tackled challenges.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates about your application status. Let's get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inara
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in PostgreSQL, AWS, and the tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of logical replication, CDC, and event streaming. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with them, but that you can lead the team in using them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a hands-on leadership role, be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Talk about how you set standards and championed data quality. This will demonstrate that you’re ready to take ownership of the data platform and guide others in best practices.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect some technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice coding problems in Python and SQL, and be ready to discuss your approach to building data pipelines. This will help you showcase your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically under pressure.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Research the company’s culture and values. Be ready to explain why you want to work there and how you align with their mission. Showing genuine interest in the company and its products will help you stand out as a candidate who’s not just looking for a job, but a place where you can thrive and contribute.
