At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a team while building scalable data platforms using cutting-edge technologies.
- Company: Join a dynamic FinTech company transforming the data landscape.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping technology and leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Strong software engineering background with experience in data platforms and leadership.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to modernise systems and drive innovation in a collaborative environment.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Lead Data Engineer with a strong software engineering background to help build and scale a modern, configuration-led data platform using Databricks and Snowflake. This role is ideal for someone who started as a software engineer and has moved into data platforms / distributed systems, and now wants to combine hands-on engineering with team leadership and ownership.
You’ll play a key role in shaping both the technical direction and team growth, as the business transitions from legacy Python workflows and MySQL databases to a cloud-native, engineering-led architecture.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership position with both technical and managerial responsibilities.
- Act as a technical leader for the data platform
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of engineers
- Remain hands-on in system design and development
- Drive engineering standards, delivery, and best practices
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Design and build scalable backend systems and data-intensive applications
- Define and drive architecture decisions across the data platform
- Develop and optimise data pipelines and services (Python, PySpark)
- Ensure systems are robust, testable, observable, and production-grade
- Own performance, scalability, and reliability across Databricks and Snowflake
- Contribute to long-term platform strategy and technical roadmap
Team Leadership & Management
- Lead and manage a team of engineers (including juniors and mid-levels)
- Provide mentorship, coaching, and technical guidance
- Support hiring and onboarding as the team scales
- Conduct code reviews and promote high engineering standards
- Foster a strong engineering culture and collaborative environment
- Balance delivery with team development and wellbeing
Delivery & Collaboration
- Work closely with product, DevOps, and domain stakeholders
- Translate complex regulatory and business requirements into scalable solutions
- Take ownership of key systems and ensure high-quality delivery
Required Experience
Essential
- Background in software engineering, with progression into data engineering or data platforms
- Experience acting as a Lead Engineer, Tech Lead, or Engineering Manager
- Strong programming skills in Python (or similar backend language)
- Experience building distributed systems or data-intensive platforms
- Strong experience with Spark / PySpark or similar frameworks
- Advanced SQL and experience with large-scale datasets
- Strong grounding in software engineering best practices: Clean code, testing, CI/CD, System design and architecture, Observability and monitoring
- Proven experience mentoring and developing engineers
- Comfortable balancing hands-on work with leadership responsibilities
Desirable
- Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, or modern data platforms
- Exposure to event-driven architectures (Kafka, etc.)
- Experience with AWS or cloud-native environments
- Background in FinTech or regulated environments
- Experience scaling teams or building functions from early stages
- Track record of modernising legacy systems into cloud-native architectures
Summary
This is a high-impact leadership role for an engineer who:
- Is a software engineer at heart, working in data
- Enjoys building scalable systems and platforms
- Wants to lead a team while staying hands-on
- Is excited to shape both technology and people
Lead Data/Software Engineer - (£90k-£120k) - FinTech in City of London employer: Volition
Contact Detail:
Volition Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Data/Software Engineer - (£90k-£120k) - FinTech in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the FinTech space and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry meetups or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your skills.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your projects! If you've built any data platforms or systems, make sure to have them ready to discuss. Bring your portfolio to interviews and be prepared to dive into the technical details of your work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership pitch! Since this role involves mentoring and team management, be ready to share your experiences leading teams and how you foster a collaborative environment. Highlight your approach to balancing hands-on work with leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to reflect your passion for building scalable systems and your experience in data engineering.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data/Software Engineer - (£90k-£120k) - FinTech in City of London
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 software engineering background and any experience with data platforms, as this will show us you’re the right fit for the job.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this role and how your journey from software engineering to data platforms has prepared you for this position. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your programming skills, especially in Python and any experience with Spark or similar frameworks. We want to see how you’ve applied these skills in real-world scenarios, so include specific examples where possible.
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 shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volition
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, PySpark, Databricks, and Snowflake. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and mentoring engineers. Think about specific situations where you’ve driven engineering standards or improved team dynamics, as this role requires a balance of technical and managerial skills.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to system design and architecture during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as they’ll want to see how you approach complex problems and translate them into scalable solutions.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Research the company culture and values, especially around collaboration and engineering practices. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to fostering a strong engineering culture and how you balance delivery with team wellbeing.