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For Companies 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 vibrant 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
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.
Lead Data Engineer employer: Insight Talent Partners
Contact Detail:
Insight Talent Partners 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 your connections in the data engineering field, especially those who work with Microsoft Fabric. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Azure Data Factory and Medallion Architecture. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with ETL/ELT pipelines and data governance. We want to see how you can lead and mentor others while staying close to the tech.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our collaborative team.
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 Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Factory, and any relevant data engineering projects. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
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 team. Mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your technical leadership and hands-on expertise.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your technical skills, especially in SQL, Python, and data governance. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what tools and technologies you’re comfortable with!
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 all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
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 knowledge of ETL/ELT processes and Medallion Architecture, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Even though this role is hands-on, they’ll want to see your ability to lead and mentor. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams or improved processes in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a collaborative environment.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and technical decision-making. Think about past challenges you’ve faced in data engineering and how you tackled them, particularly around data governance and quality.
✨Communicate Clearly with All Stakeholders
You’ll need to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, and be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully communicated with various stakeholders in your previous roles.