Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Sahaj Software

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and build scalable data platforms using modern tech like Databricks and Apache Spark.
  • Company: Sahaj Software, a flat-structured company focused on innovative data solutions.
  • Benefits: Unlimited annual leave, open salaries, stock options, and private health insurance.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to mentor and influence fellow engineers.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming messy data into reliable systems while growing your skills.
  • Qualifications: Experience as a Senior/Lead Data Engineer with strong coding skills in Python.

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

At Sahaj Software, we’re not just shipping pipelines - we’re designing purpose-built data platforms that solve complex challenges for some of the UK’s most forward-thinking organisations. We believe in craftsmanship, autonomy, and trust. No hierarchies and no bureaucracy, just small teams solving big problems with modern tech.

Why this role? Working as a Lead Data Engineer, you’ll own the design and delivery of scalable data platforms, pipelines, and architectures that power real business decisions. You’ll work closely with data scientists, engineers, and stakeholders to transform messy data into clean, reliable, and production-grade systems. This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you’ll influence technical direction while staying close to the code. Perfect if you want scope for growth without going “post-technical.”

What you’ll do:

  • Design and build modern data platforms using Databricks, Apache Spark, Snowflake, and cloud-native services (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
  • Develop robust pipelines for real-time and batch data ingestion from diverse and complex sources.
  • Model and optimise data for performance, visibility, and downstream analytics/ML use cases.
  • Champion best practices: CI/CD, TDD, GitOps, observability, schema validation, and data quality.
  • Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to deploy production-grade AI/ML systems.
  • Guide clients on data strategy, architecture, and platform modernisation.
  • Mentor and influence engineers across Sahaj, helping grow our collective data engineering capability.

What we’re looking for:

  • Must have solid experience as a Senior/Lead Data Engineer in complex enterprise environments.
  • Can demonstrate strong coding skills in Python (Scala or functional languages a plus).
  • Expertise with Databricks, Apache Spark, and Snowflake is a must (HDFS/HBase also useful).
  • Has experience integrating large, messy datasets into reliable, scalable data products.
  • Strong understanding of data modelling, orchestration, and automation.
  • Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes).
  • A craftsman’s mindset: you care about code quality, maintainability, and doing things the right way.

What you’ll get at Sahaj:

  • Unlimited annual leave – we trust you to manage your time.
  • Open salaries & stock options – transparency from the ground up.
  • Private health & life insurance – covered by us.
  • Flat structure, no hierarchy – you own your work, and your voice counts.

Lead Data Engineer employer: Sahaj Software

At Sahaj Software, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of craftsmanship and autonomy, where our Lead Data Engineers play a pivotal role in shaping innovative data platforms for leading UK organisations. With benefits like unlimited annual leave, open salary structures, and a flat hierarchy, we empower our employees to take ownership of their work while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration in a dynamic, tech-driven environment.
Sahaj Software

Contact Detail:

Sahaj Software 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 the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Lead Data Engineer role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Databricks, Apache Spark, and Snowflake. This will give you an edge and demonstrate your hands-on experience to potential employers.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on coding challenges and system design questions. Practice makes perfect, so get comfortable with Python and data modelling concepts to impress during the interview.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at Sahaj Software. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer

Data Engineering
Databricks
Apache Spark
Snowflake
AWS
Azure
GCP
Python
Scala
Data Modelling
Data Orchestration
Automation
CI/CD
TDD
GitOps
Containerisation
Docker
Kubernetes
Data Quality
Observability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Craftsmanship: When you're writing your application, let your passion for quality code shine through. We love candidates who care about maintainability and doing things the right way, so share examples of your best work and how you've tackled challenges in the past.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience with Databricks, Apache Spark, and Snowflake. We want to see how you've integrated large datasets into reliable systems, so be specific about your achievements and the impact they had on your previous projects.

Be Hands-On: Since this role is all about being close to the code, don’t shy away from discussing your hands-on experience with cloud platforms and containerisation. Share any relevant projects where you’ve designed and built data platforms or pipelines.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to see your application and get to know you better. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Sahaj Software!

How to prepare for a job interview at Sahaj Software

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Databricks, Apache Spark, and Snowflake. Brush up on your Python coding skills and be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex data challenges in previous roles. Be ready to explain your thought process and the impact your solutions had on the business. This will demonstrate your ability to design and deliver scalable data platforms.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since this role involves working closely with data scientists and engineers, highlight your experience in collaborative environments. Share stories that showcase your ability to mentor others and influence technical direction while staying hands-on.

Understand Their Culture

Familiarise yourself with Sahaj Software's values of craftsmanship, autonomy, and trust. Be prepared to discuss how you align with their flat structure and how you can contribute to a team that thrives on solving big problems without bureaucracy.

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