At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data engineering projects and optimise our data systems for impactful decision-making.
- Company: Join iwoca, a fintech innovator empowering small businesses with fast, flexible funding solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, medical insurance, generous holiday, and a learning budget.
- Why this job: Be part of a culture that values growth, innovation, and community impact.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Snowflake, strong SQL skills, and a background in data architecture required.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with vibrant office culture and exciting company retreats.
The predicted salary is between 86000 - 136000 £ per year.
Principal Data Engineer – Core Systems Team
Hybrid in London / Remote within UK
The company
Imagine a world where every small business has the power to thrive. That's the world we're building at iwoca. Small businesses aren't just statistics – they're the heartbeat of our communities, the character of our high streets, and the engine of our economy. Since 2012, we've revolutionised how these businesses access finance, turning what was once a lengthy, frustrating process into something remarkable: funding that's fast, flexible, and actually works for modern businesses.
Our impact speaks for itself: we've provided billions in funding to over 150,000 businesses across Europe, making us one of the continent's leading fintech innovators. But we're just getting started. Our mission? To empower one million businesses with the financial tools they deserve.
We combine cutting-edge technology and data science with genuine human understanding to make finance feel less like a barrier and more like a superpower. Whether it's managing cash flow or seizing unexpected opportunities, we ensure businesses get the funds they need – often within minutes.
The team
You'll join the Core Systems team, who are responsible for driving innovation across the business by optimising development, building data systems, and continuously improving iwoca products. We follow Agile-inspired processes, using continuous integration and delivery, so that features go live in days or weeks, not months or years.
The role
As the Principal Data Engineer, you'll be responsible for our data platform. You'll define our data strategy, drive the evolution of our data infrastructure, and ensure our data systems enable impactful decision-making across the business.
The Projects
You'll identify and lead a range of strategic data engineering projects, driving improvements across our data systems, platforms, and infrastructure to support innovation, efficiency, and growth, such as:
- Evolve Our Snowflake Data Warehouse: Take ownership of our Snowflake platform to ensure it is a highly efficient and accessible resource for the business. Implement best practices for performance optimisation, scalability, and cost management, empowering teams to access and utilise data seamlessly.
- Streamline Data Pipelines: Lead the development and optimisation of data pipelines using DBT , enabling faster and more reliable data flows.
- Enhance Data Governance and Quality: Design and implement robust data governance frameworks, ensuring high data quality, compliance, and consistency.
- Develop Scalable Data Models: Collaborate with analysts and data scientists to design and maintain data models that enable more intuitive use for reporting, machine learning, and advanced analytics.
- Research and Adopt Emerging Data Technologies: Stay ahead of industry trends by researching emerging tools and frameworks. Recommend and lead the adoption of innovations that enhance our data engineering capabilities, ensuring we remain competitive and forward-thinking.
The requirements
Essential:
- Expertise in Snowflake, including performance optimisation, cost management, and advanced data warehousing techniques.
- Experience in designing and implementing scalable data architectures that meet the needs of complex, data-driven organisations.
- Strong SQL skills and a solid understanding of relational databases (e.g., PostgreSQL).
Bonus:
- Advanced LookML knowledge and experience building data visualisation tools.
- Skilled in building and managing real-time and batch data pipelines using Kafka and DBT.
- Familiarity with Docker, Terraform, and Kubernetes for application orchestration and deployment.
- A strong numerical or technical background, ideally with a degree in mathematics, physics, computer science, engineering, or a related field.
- Understanding of data science concepts and experience collaborating with data scientists to productionise machine learning models.
- Active participation in tech or open-source communities, with a passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring others.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex business needs into effective technical solutions.
The salary
We expect to pay from £100,000 – £160,000 for this role. But, we're open-minded, so definitely include your salary goals with your application. We routinely benchmark salaries against market rates, and run quarterly performance and salary reviews.
The culture
At iwoca, we prioritise a culture of learning, growth, and support, and invest in the professional development of our team members. We value thought and skill diversity, and encourage you to explore new areas of interest to help us innovate and improve our products and services.
The offices
We put a lot of effort into making iwoca a great place to work:
- Offices in London, Leeds, and Frankfurt with plenty of drinks and snacks
- Events and clubs, like bingo, comedy nights, yoga classes, football, etc.
The benefits
- Flexible working.
- Medical insurance from Vitality, including discounted gym membership.
- A private GP service (separate from Vitality) for you, your partner, and your dependents.
- 25 days' holiday, an extra day off for your birthday, the option to buy or sell an additional five days of annual leave, and unlimited unpaid leave.
- A one-month, fully paid sabbatical after four years.
- Instant access to external counselling and therapy sessions for team members that need emotional or mental health support.
- 3% pension contributions to total earnings.
- An employee equity incentive scheme.
- Generous parental leave and a nursery tax benefit scheme to help you save money.
- Electric car scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Two company retreats a year, we've been to France, Italy, Spain, and further afield.
And to make sure we all keep learning, we offer:
- A learning and development budget for everyone.
- Company-wide talks with internal and external speakers.
- Access to learning platforms like Treehouse.
Principal Data Engineer - iwoca employer: Iwoca
Contact Detail:
Iwoca Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Data Engineer - iwoca
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with iwoca's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to empowering small businesses will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your experience as a Principal Data Engineer can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your expertise in Snowflake and data architecture during networking opportunities. Engaging with current employees or industry professionals can provide insights into iwoca's culture and expectations, making you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in data engineering and technologies relevant to iwoca's projects. Being able to discuss recent advancements or tools you've researched can demonstrate your proactive approach and passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with Agile methodologies and how you've implemented them in past roles. Since iwoca values innovation and efficiency, showcasing your ability to adapt and thrive in such environments will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Data Engineer - iwoca
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Snowflake, SQL, and data architecture. Use specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in these areas, as well as any relevant projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for empowering small businesses through data. Mention how your skills align with iwoca's mission and the specific role of Principal Data Engineer, showcasing your understanding of their needs.
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include details about past projects where you implemented data governance frameworks or optimised data pipelines. Highlight your ability to collaborate with analysts and data scientists, as this is crucial for the role.
Be Clear About Salary Expectations: Since iwoca is open-minded about salary, be transparent about your salary goals in your application. This shows confidence and helps set clear expectations from the start.
How to prepare for a job interview at Iwoca
✨Showcase Your Snowflake Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with Snowflake during the interview. Discuss specific projects where you've optimised performance, managed costs, and implemented advanced data warehousing techniques. This will demonstrate your capability to take ownership of their Snowflake platform.
✨Demonstrate Your Data Architecture Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in designing scalable data architectures. Be ready to provide examples of how you've met the needs of complex, data-driven organisations. This will show that you understand the intricacies involved in building robust data systems.
✨Communicate Complex Ideas Simply
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining technical concepts in a way that non-technical stakeholders can understand. This will help you convey how your solutions can address business needs effectively.
✨Stay Updated on Emerging Technologies
Research the latest trends and tools in data engineering before your interview. Be prepared to discuss any emerging technologies you believe could enhance iwoca's data capabilities. This shows your proactive approach and commitment to keeping the company competitive.