Lead Data Engineer in London

Lead Data Engineer in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 € / year (est.) No home office possible
L

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and deliver innovative data engineering projects using AI and automation.
  • Company: Join Loop Horizon, a boutique consultancy transforming brands with data-driven solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and flexible benefits.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with vibrant team culture and regular social events.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while advancing your career in data engineering.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in data engineering and strong client management skills required.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.

About Loop Horizon: Loop Horizon is a boutique marketing, data, and technology consultancy helping world-leading brands transition to a truly data-driven future. Our team is predominantly ex-client side, which means we understand the realities our clients face - from legacy platforms and organisational constraints to regulatory pressure and skills gaps. We focus on outcome-based delivery, enabling clients with sustainable data and technology capability while supporting their teams through strategy, design, delivery, and new ways of working.

Due to continued growth, we are looking for a Lead Data Engineer to play a pivotal role in delivering high-impact data solutions while scaling our engineering capability through AI, automation, and reusable assets.

Role Overview: As a Lead Data Engineer, you will be responsible for leading the technical delivery of complex data engineering projects while remaining hands-on. You will act as a force multiplier — using AI, automation, and junior resources to increase delivery speed, quality, and scalability. This is not a traditional management role. Instead, you will combine deep technical expertise, delivery leadership, and modern engineering practices to help Loop Horizon scale its data capability.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Technical Leadership & Delivery: Own end-to-end delivery of data products from discovery and design through to build and release. Design and implement scalable, secure data pipelines (batch and near real-time). Architect data platforms and models for marketing, customer analytics, and digital behavioural use cases. Act as the senior technical lead on client engagements.
  • AI-Augmented Engineering & Scaling: Leverage AI tools and automation to accelerate development, testing, and documentation. Define and embed best practices for AI-assisted engineering across the team. Break down complex work into deliverable components and guide junior engineers. Review and assure quality of outputs across pipelines, models, and code.
  • Capability Development: Build reusable frameworks, templates, and accelerators (e.g. dbt starters, pipeline templates, CI/CD patterns). Establish best practices across data architecture, modelling, testing, and deployment. Contribute to building Loop Horizon’s data engineering capability and delivery standards.
  • Client & Stakeholder Management: Act as a senior technical partner to clients. Translate business objectives into scalable technical solutions. Support pre-sales activity including solution design, estimates, and technical input into proposals. Build trusted client relationships through high-quality delivery.

Skills and Qualifications:

Essential: Proven experience as a Senior or Lead Data Engineer in a complex delivery environment. Strong hands-on experience designing and building scalable data pipelines and platforms. Experience with cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and modern data stacks (e.g. Databricks, BigQuery, Snowflake). Strong understanding of data modelling for analytics and customer use cases. Experience with workflow orchestration tools (e.g. Airflow, Step Functions). Experience leveraging AI tools or automation to improve engineering productivity. Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills. Deep understanding of data modelling for analytics and marketing use cases.

Desirable: Consultancy or agency experience. Experience with digital data ie GA4, Adobe Analytics. Exposure to privacy, consent, and regulatory considerations (e.g. GDPR). Experience working with partners and third-party vendors.

Our Commitment to You:

  • Competitive salary
  • 25 days holiday, plus an additional 3 days leave between Christmas and New Year
  • Pension scheme and life assurance
  • Private Healthcare for you (and your spouse/children at extra cost)
  • Flexible benefits scheme including electric car leasing scheme, cycle to work, gym discounts, discounted vouchers
  • Shares in company after one years’ service
  • Hybrid working - we believe in a balance between spending time face-to-face with colleagues and our clients, as well as enabling working from home
  • Excellent opportunities to grow and develop
  • Vibrant, friendly, dynamic team with calendar of regular social activities and team events

Lead Data Engineer in London employer: LOOP HORIZON

Loop Horizon is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and dynamic work culture, where innovation meets collaboration. As a Lead Data Engineer, you will not only lead high-impact projects but also benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and flexible working arrangements that promote work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, Loop Horizon offers unique opportunities to enhance your skills in a supportive environment while contributing to meaningful data-driven solutions for world-leading brands.

L

Contact Detail:

LOOP HORIZON Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Loop Horizon. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your data engineering projects. Whether it's a GitHub repo or a personal website, having tangible examples of your work can really impress potential employers and set you apart from the crowd.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Loop Horizon's projects and values. Understand their approach to data-driven solutions and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailoring your conversation can make a huge difference!

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to 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 being part of the Loop Horizon team.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer in London

Data Engineering
Cloud Data Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Data Pipeline Design and Implementation
Data Modelling for Analytics
Workflow Orchestration Tools (e.g. Airflow, Step Functions)
AI Tools and Automation
Client-Facing Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your experience with data pipelines, cloud platforms, and AI tools. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!

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 Loop Horizon’s mission. Don’t forget to mention any relevant consultancy experience or client-facing skills.

Showcase Your Projects:Include examples of past projects where you’ve led technical delivery or implemented scalable data solutions. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at LOOP HORIZON

Know Your Data Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest data engineering practices and tools. Brush up on your experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP, and be ready to discuss how you've designed scalable data pipelines in past projects.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Even though this isn’t a traditional management role, demonstrate your ability to lead technical delivery. Prepare examples of how you've guided junior engineers or acted as a senior technical partner in client engagements.

Emphasise AI and Automation Experience

Since Loop Horizon values AI-augmented engineering, come prepared to discuss specific instances where you've leveraged AI tools or automation to enhance productivity. Highlight any frameworks or templates you've built that could be beneficial.

Build Rapport with Stakeholders

Client-facing skills are crucial for this role. Practice how you would translate complex technical solutions into business-friendly language. Think of ways to build trust and showcase your ability to manage client relationships effectively.