Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington

Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington

Warrington +1 Full-Time 70000 - 77000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Insight Talent Partners

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and development of a cutting-edge data platform using Microsoft Fabric.
  • Company: Join a growing professional services organisation in central Manchester.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture with mentorship and leadership opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while staying hands-on with innovative cloud data solutions.
  • Qualifications: Strong data engineering background with expertise in Microsoft technologies.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 77000 ÂŁ per year.

A growing professional services organisation is seeking a Lead / Senior Data Engineer to take technical ownership of its modern data platform and play a pivotal role in shaping its Microsoft Fabric‑driven data strategy. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly capable engineer who wants to remain deeply hands‑on while providing light leadership and guidance within a small, collaborative data team.

If you’re passionate about building scalable cloud data solutions, championing modern architectures, and influencing technical direction, this role offers both autonomy and impact.

The Opportunity

As the senior technical figure within the data function, you will drive the evolution of a cloud‑first data estate, lead on Microsoft Fabric adoption, and ensure engineering best practice across pipelines, modelling, governance, and integration. This is a 90% hands‑on role, ideal for someone who wants to stay close to the technology while offering mentorship and light line management.

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical Leadership
    • Lead the design and ongoing development of a Microsoft Fabric and Azure‑centric data platform.
    • Champion Medallion Architecture (Bronze/Silver/Gold) and ensure consistent implementation.
    • Define engineering standards covering data modelling, pipelines, naming conventions, and code quality.
    • Act as the technical authority for data governance, master data management, and platform best practice.
    • Evaluate new tools, patterns, and capabilities to support continuous improvement.
  • Data Engineering & Platform Delivery
    • Architect and deliver scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Fabric.
    • Manage ingestion from APIs, databases, flat files, and event‑driven sources.
    • Oversee Azure services including ADLS, Azure SQL, Delta Lake/OneLake, Key Vault, and Event Hubs.
    • Drive platform reliability, observability, and operational excellence.
  • Data Quality & Master Data
    • Lead the implementation and governance of master data management frameworks.
    • Define data quality rules, validation processes, and deduplication strategies.
    • Work with business stakeholders to establish canonical entities and golden records.
  • Integrations & APIs
    • Own integration architecture across internal systems and third‑party platforms.
    • Design secure, scalable REST and event‑driven integration patterns.
    • Collaborate with software engineers to ensure reliability and governance.
  • Leadership & Team Development
    • Provide light line management including 1:1s, appraisals, and pastoral support.
    • Mentor engineers, lead code reviews, and support career development.
    • Contribute to sprint planning and roadmap delivery (without heavy project management).
    • Foster a culture of engineering excellence, learning, and collaboration.

Required Skills & Experience

  • Strong background in data engineering with hands‑on experience across pipelines, ETL/ELT, modelling, and orchestration.
  • Deep expertise in the Microsoft data stack, especially:
  • Microsoft Fabric (critical)
  • Azure Data Factory
  • SQL Server / Azure SQL
  • Proven experience implementing Medallion Architecture in a cloud environment.
  • Strong understanding of MDM, data governance, and data quality principles.
  • Proficiency in SQL and/or Python.
  • Experience mentoring or leading engineers in a technical capacity.
  • Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Desirable

    • Experience with Fabric Lakehouses, Warehouses, Real‑Time Analytics, or Data Activator.
    • Exposure to Microsoft Purview or similar governance/cataloguing tools.
    • Familiarity with AI/ML data patterns (feature stores, model pipelines, RAG, etc.).
    • Background in DevOps, CI/CD, or IaC within Azure DevOps.
    • Experience in high‑volume operational or analytical environments.

    Locations

    Warrington Cheshire

    Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Insight Talent Partners

    Join a dynamic professional services organisation in the heart of Manchester, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll enjoy a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while being part of a supportive team dedicated to engineering excellence and continuous learning. With competitive compensation, a bonus structure, and opportunities for mentorship and career growth, this role is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in a thriving data environment.
    Insight Talent Partners

    Contact Detail:

    Insight Talent Partners Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the data engineering space. You never know when a casual chat could lead to your next big opportunity!

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Microsoft Fabric and Azure. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess. Make sure to highlight any cool ETL/ELT pipelines you've built!

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with data governance and MDM, and don’t forget to practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. We want to see how you can communicate with both techies and non-techies!

    ✨Tip Number 4

    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. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to make an impact in a growing organisation!

    We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington

    Microsoft Fabric
    Azure Data Factory
    ETL/ELT Pipelines
    Data Modelling
    Data Governance
    Master Data Management (MDM)
    SQL
    Python
    Medallion Architecture
    Data Quality Principles
    Integration Architecture
    REST APIs
    Event-Driven Integration Patterns
    Technical Leadership
    Mentoring Engineers

    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 Microsoft Fabric and Azure, as well as any leadership roles you've had in the past.

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your expertise in building scalable cloud data solutions.

    Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from listing your technical proficiencies, especially in SQL, Python, and Azure services. We want to see your familiarity with Medallion Architecture and data governance principles, so make sure these stand out!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

    How to prepare for a job interview at Insight Talent Partners

    ✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

    Make sure you’re well-versed in the Microsoft data stack, especially Microsoft Fabric and Azure Data Factory. Brush up on your ETL/ELT processes and be ready to discuss how you've implemented Medallion Architecture in previous roles.

    ✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

    Even though this role is hands-on, they’ll want to see your ability to mentor and guide others. Prepare examples of how you've supported team members in their development or led code reviews, as this will demonstrate your leadership potential.

    ✨Communicate Clearly

    You’ll need to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as this will show your ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

    ✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

    Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges related to data governance or platform reliability. Think through real-life scenarios where you’ve had to make decisions about data quality or integration architecture, and be ready to share those experiences.

    Lead Data Engineer in Cheshire, Warrington
    Insight Talent Partners
    Location: Warrington

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