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 development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with mentorship and growth potential.
- 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 Engineer/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 Engineer/Data Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Microsoft Fabric and Azure. 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 and soft skills. Practice common interview questions related to data engineering and be ready to discuss your experience with ETL/ELT pipelines and data governance.
✨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 about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer/Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Engineer/Data Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric and Azure Data Factory, 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 skills! Make sure to include your proficiency in SQL, Python, and any experience with Medallion Architecture. We want to see how you can drive our data strategy forward.
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 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 ask how you would handle specific challenges related to data governance, quality, and integration. Think through potential scenarios and how you would apply your expertise to solve them effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly with All Stakeholders
Since you'll need to interact with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to bridge gaps between teams.