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- Tasks: Lead the design and build of a modern, scalable data platform using Azure and Databricks.
- Company: Dynamic tech company in Sheffield with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Up to £85k salary, 5 weeks holiday, stock options, and professional development support.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data engineering while mentoring a talented team and making impactful decisions.
- Qualifications: Proven experience with Azure, Databricks, and strong data modelling skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a culture that values diversity and respect.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Location: Sheffield
Working Model: Hybrid - 2 days per week in person
Salary: Up to £85k depending on experience
Own the data platform. Shape the future architecture. This role is for a hands-on data engineering leader who wants to build something properly, not babysit legacy pipelines. You’ll take full ownership of the data engineering domain, leading the design and building of a modern, highly scalable data platform that handles complex, high-frequency industrial data. You’ll work closely with data scientists, software engineers, and senior leadership, with the trust and mandate to make meaningful architectural decisions. If you enjoy balancing strong engineering principles with real-world business needs, and you like mentoring others while staying deeply technical, this role is built for you.
What you’ll be working on:
- Architecting and rebuilding the data transformation layer in Databricks
- Designing robust data flows that support both real-time operational views and deep historical analysis
- Moving pipelines from ad-hoc scripts to software-engineering standards (CI/CD, testing, modular design)
- Defining clear data models, schemas, and standards across a complex data estate
- Establishing a stable, high-performance serving layer for analytics, visualisation, and data science workloads
- Working closely with data scientists to remove bottlenecks and enable better modelling and experimentation
- Pair-programming, mentoring, and raising the engineering bar for a small, capable team
You won’t just be delivering features; you’ll be setting direction.
The tech you’ll work with:
- Core: Azure, Databricks, Python, SQL, dbt, MQTT
- Storage & Serving: Delta Lake, Postgres, TimescaleDB
- Modelling & ML: MLflow, Visualisation: Grafana
What makes you a great fit:
- You’re someone who can zoom out to architecture and zoom in to code, comfortably.
- Proven experience building and owning data platforms on Azure
- Deep, hands-on knowledge of Databricks (lakehouse architecture, cluster management, performance and cost optimisation)
- Strong opinions on data modelling, schema design, and standardisation
- You treat data pipelines as software: version control, CI/CD, automated testing. Comfortable challenging architectural decisions, and explaining why
- Able to translate technical trade-offs into business impact for non-technical stakeholders. A mentor by nature: you raise the team through pairing, guidance, and example
Experience with industrial, sensor-driven, or time-series data is highly desirable. Alternatively, a background in high-volume or highly variable data environments (missing data, duplicates, schema drift, spiky load) will transfer well.
Why you’ll want this role:
- You’re trusted to make architectural calls, that’s why you’re being hired
- Your work directly unlocks better analytics and machine learning outcomes. You’ll work on advanced data patterns and architectures, not cosmetic refactors. This is a leadership role without stepping away from code
What you’ll get:
- 5 weeks paid holiday plus bank holidays
- Tax-efficient stock options, Company pension scheme, Salary sacrifice EV scheme
- Training and professional development support, regular all-hands sessions with real transparency
- Quarterly employee recognition awards, and access to discounts via BrightHR
We welcome diverse applicants and are dedicated to treating all applicants with dignity and respect, regardless of background.
Lead Data Engineer employer: Rebel Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Rebel Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Lead Data Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Azure and Databricks. We want to see how you’ve tackled real-world problems and built data platforms that make a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. We recommend practising common data engineering scenarios and being ready to discuss your architectural decisions and their business impacts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Data Engineering: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for data engineering shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your hands-on experience with Azure and Databricks. We want to see your excitement for building modern data platforms!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills align with the role. Mention your experience with data modelling, CI/CD practices, and any mentoring you've done. This shows us you understand what we're looking for and that you're a great fit for our team.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your technical skills and experiences. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications without sifting through unnecessary details.
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 our company culture and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rebel Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Azure and Databricks, as these are crucial for the role. Brush up on lakehouse architecture, cluster management, and performance optimisation. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies will show that you’re not just a theorist but someone who can get things done.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role is all about leading a team and making architectural decisions. Be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored others or led projects in the past. Highlight your ability to balance technical depth with business needs, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process when designing data models or transforming data flows. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically about complex data scenarios.
✨Communicate Clearly with Non-Techies
You’ll need to translate technical concepts into business impacts for stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully communicated complex ideas in the past. This skill is vital for ensuring everyone is on the same page and understands the value of your work.
