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 electric vehicle scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working with two days in the office and genuine career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while leading exciting data projects.
- Qualifications: Deep PostgreSQL experience and strong AWS data stack knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 € per year.
Industry: Risk Tech / SaaS
Location: Central Manchester, hybrid, two days a week on-site
Salary: £70,000 - £85,000 (maybe some wiggle room for the right person)
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 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 in Manchester employer: Inara
Join a fast-growing risk tech SaaS business in central Manchester, where innovation meets a vibrant work culture. As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits including 30 days holiday plus your birthday off, and full private healthcare, all while working in a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and cutting-edge technology, this is an exceptional opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a company that values its people and fosters a genuine sense of belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Lead Data Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving PostgreSQL, AWS, and data pipelines. We want to see your hands-on experience, so don’t be shy about sharing your work during interviews or on your personal website.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your Python and SQL skills. We recommend practicing coding challenges and discussing your thought process out loud. This will help you demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and technical expertise to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got your back and want to help you find the perfect fit. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, don’t hesitate – get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer in Manchester
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 data pipelines. 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! Share your passion for data engineering and how you can contribute to our exciting projects. Let us know why you're the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on relevant projects, don’t hold back! Include links or descriptions of your work with data quality tooling, event streaming, or any other tech mentioned in the job description. We love seeing real examples of your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the attention you deserve. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inara
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in PostgreSQL, AWS data stack, and the tools mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of ETL processes and be ready to discuss how you've implemented them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've set standards or mentored others in your previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with shaping data strategies.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about data pipelines, event streaming, and data quality. Be ready to explain your thought process and decision-making when it comes to building and maintaining data platforms.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
This company values a strong culture, so be prepared to discuss how you align with their values. Share what excites you about working in a collaborative environment and how you contribute to a positive workplace culture.
