Lead Engineer/Data Engineer in London
Lead Engineer/Data Engineer

Lead Engineer/Data Engineer in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and improvement of real-world data systems and pipelines.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking enterprise focused on data engineering excellence.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Make a tangible impact by solving complex data challenges in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience as a Senior or Lead Data Engineer with strong Python and Spark skills.

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

We're looking for a Lead Data Engineer to join an enterprise data engineering capability and play a critical role in designing, building, and improving real-world data systems.

This is a senior, hands-on technical leadership position for someone with deep data engineering experience who leads through delivery, judgement, and technical credibility rather than hierarchy.

You'll work in a complex environment spanning legacy platforms, modern cloud services, and evolving data needs. The challenge isn't greenfield design - it's improving what exists, fixing what's broken, and helping teams use data more effectively and responsibly. You'll act as a senior technical anchor for data engineering work, contributing directly while guiding others through example.

  • Design, build, and enhance enterprise-scale data pipelines, platforms, and data services
  • Lead complex data engineering work end-to-end - from problem definition and exploration through build, testing, and operational use
  • Work directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders to translate real operational problems into effective data solutions
  • Analyse and synthesise complex datasets from multiple sources, shaping how data is structured, validated, and consumed
  • Provide technical leadership and direction to data engineers and adjacent roles through design decisions, code, and delivery support
  • Improve data sharing, onboarding of new data sources, and interoperability across teams and systems
  • Treat metadata, lineage, and data quality as first-class engineering problems
  • Diagnose and resolve complex data and platform issues, often in constrained or imperfect environments

Significant, hands-on experience as a Senior or Lead Data Engineer working on complex, real-world systems is required.

  • Strong Python and Spark skills, with evidence of building and maintaining production data pipelines
  • Deep understanding of the full data engineering lifecycle: ingestion, transformation, storage, serving, and reuse
  • Strong experience designing data integrations, including working with diverse data sources and legacy systems
  • Proven ability to design and apply data models that support analysis, operational use, and long-term maintainability
  • Solid understanding of data security, compliance, and governance, built into systems by design
  • Experience working within established data development practices (version control, testing, deployment, change management)
  • Persistence and resilience when dealing with messy data, legacy constraints, and organisational complexity
  • Experience with cloud-based data ecosystems (including AWS services) alongside existing legacy platforms
  • Exposure to large-scale enterprise data or analytics platforms
  • Familiarity with emerging or advanced data engineering approaches (including agentic or autonomous patterns), though this is not essential

If you enjoy solving hard data problems, working closely with people, and delivering practical solutions in imperfect environments, this role offers both challenge and impact.

Lead Engineer/Data Engineer in London employer: Lorien

Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration, where as a Lead Data Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to shape enterprise-scale data systems in a dynamic environment. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer continuous learning opportunities and a supportive culture that encourages hands-on leadership and technical excellence. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace fosters creativity and teamwork, making it an ideal setting for those passionate about solving complex data challenges.
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Contact Detail:

Lorien Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or can refer you to a position that’s not even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best data projects, especially those involving Python and Spark. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you tackle real-world data challenges.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss how you've improved existing data systems and tackled complex issues. Use examples from your past work to demonstrate your hands-on experience.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for talented individuals like you to join our team. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.

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

Data Engineering
Technical Leadership
Python
Spark
Data Pipeline Development
Data Integration Design
Data Security
Data Governance
Cloud-based Data Ecosystems
AWS Services
Data Quality Management
Version Control
Testing and Deployment
Problem-Solving
Stakeholder Communication

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your hands-on experience with data systems, Python, and Spark, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had in past projects.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex data challenges and improved existing systems. Show us your passion for data engineering!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, emphasise your ability to diagnose and resolve data issues. We want to see how you approach messy data and legacy constraints, so include examples that demonstrate your persistence and resilience.

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 gives you a chance to explore more about StudySmarter and what we stand for!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien

✨Know Your Data Engineering Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in Python and Spark. Be ready to discuss your experience with building and maintaining production data pipelines, as well as your understanding of the full data engineering lifecycle. This is your chance to showcase your hands-on experience!

✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex data issues in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced with legacy systems or messy data, and be ready to explain how you approached these problems and what solutions you implemented.

✨Communicate Effectively with Stakeholders

Since you'll be working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, practice explaining complex data concepts in simple terms. Be prepared to discuss how you've translated operational problems into effective data solutions in previous roles.

✨Emphasise Team Leadership and Collaboration

As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll need to guide others through example. Share your experiences in providing technical leadership and direction to teams. Highlight any instances where you've improved data sharing or onboarding processes across teams, showcasing your collaborative spirit.

Lead Engineer/Data Engineer in London
Lorien
Location: London

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