Data Engineering Coach in Oxford

You have built pipelines that actually run in production, wrestled with orchestration, and debugged systems at 2am when something broke. You know the difference between a proof of concept and infrastructure that scales. Now you want to do something different with your skills — coaching working professionals and career switchers to become confident, capable data engineers.

About iO-Sphere: Traditional training is broken. People finish courses with theory but no real capability — the experience gap. We solve that. At iO-Sphere, learners don’t sit through lectures. They come to work in PRISM, our fully simulated company with 500m+ rows of real data, where they tackle realistic business problems and build practical skills they can use immediately. Combined with high-touch coaching from people who’ve actually done the work, we deliver real capability development — not just content consumption.

We also know that technical skills alone don’t make someone great at their job. That’s why our programmes develop the full skill set: problem-solving, system thinking, communication, and professional skills. We’re training people to be effective in the workplace, not just pass a test.

The Team & Culture: Our coaching team is exceptional — former data scientists, analytics directors, engineers, and AI practitioners who decided to do something different with their expertise. You’d be joining a high-performing, tight-knit group that takes ownership, holds itself to a high bar, and has a lot of fun doing it. We value people who take responsibility, move fast, and care deeply about learner outcomes. If you thrive with autonomy and want your ideas to actually get implemented, you’ll fit right in.

The Impact: We’re rated 4.9 stars on Google — and that’s because of our coaches. You’ll watch people transform from uncertain to confident, from writing their first Python script to building production-ready pipelines. The feels never get old. That’s what makes it all worth it. We’re also at an inflection point. 700+ learners trained, real momentum, and 2026 is when we scale — new programmes, new products, bigger team. If you want to join something early and grow with it, this is the time.

What You’ll Do: Coach working professionals through our Data Engineering programme. These are ambitious people who want to build the infrastructure that powers modern data teams — pipelines, orchestration, cloud systems. You’ll help them master the technical skills and develop the engineering mindset that makes someone effective in real-world environments.

• Delivering engaging, practical coaching sessions on engineering concepts and tools
• Guiding learners through PRISM-based projects — building real pipelines, debugging real problems
• Providing clear, constructive feedback on code, architecture decisions, and system design
• Coaching on engineering habits — version control discipline, structured problem-solving, documentation
• Running 1:1 coaching conversations that build confidence and momentum
• Tracking learner progress and intervening early when someone’s struggling
• Maintaining accurate records and evidence (we’re regulated, so organisation matters)
• Collaborating with the wider coaching and quality teams
• Shaping the programme as you deliver it. These programmes are new and evolving. You’ll have real input into quality and execution — if you see a better way to teach something, we want to hear it and we’ll actually implement it.
• Working across different programme types. Beyond skills-levy programmes, you’ll also coach on our applied diplomas and commercial training — different learner types, fresh challenges, and variety you won’t get elsewhere. You may also contribute to data analytics or other technical pathways where your skills apply.
• Getting involved as we grow. We’re launching new products throughout 2026, and there’s real opportunity to contribute beyond your core coaching role.

Why This Isn’t Like Other Coaching Jobs: Tech-first = less admin, more coaching. Our systems handle the paperwork so you spend time with learners, not drowning in compliance busywork. High-quality product. You’re delivering something well-designed that actually works — not apologising for broken curriculum. Room to build. Programmes are fresh. You’re not just following a script; you’re helping make it better.

Must have — strong practical experience in most of:

• Python for data workflows and automation
• Advanced SQL (optimisation, analytical functions, modelling)
• ETL/ELT pipeline design, build, and orchestration
• Docker and containerisation
• Cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
• Version control (Git)

Bonus points for:

• Airflow, Prefect, dbt, or cloud-native orchestration
• CI/CD and deployment automation
• Data warehousing fundamentals (star schema, staging patterns)

Plus:

• Ability to explain complex engineering concepts without losing people
• You genuinely enjoy working with people and get energy from helping others succeed

Right mindset:

• Takes ownership and follows through
• Eye for improvement — you notice what could be better
• Organised and reliable (we’re regulated training, so this matters)
• Comfortable in a fast-moving environment

No teaching qualifications required. If you haven’t coached before, we’ll train you and support you in gaining formal qualifications as part of your development.

Salary: £40,000–£60,000 + bonus, depending on experience

Location: London preferred (hybrid, with time in our London office). Open to candidates across the UK for the right person.

Hours: Full-time or part-time — we’re genuinely flexible and welcome both.

Eligibility: Unrestricted right to work in the UK required. We cannot offer visa sponsorship.

At iO-Sphere, we value diversity and believe the best outcomes come from varied backgrounds. If you share our passion, we encourage you to apply.