Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer

Full-Time 73000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative data engineering projects and manage a cloud-based data lake.
  • Company: Join a high-profile organisation on a transformative data journey.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, flexible working, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on data transformation and collaborate with AWS engineers.
  • Qualifications: Experience in AWS technologies and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Work remotely with weekly travel to York for a dynamic team environment.

The predicted salary is between 73000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: York/Hybrid (Once a week onsite)

Salary: £73,000 - 80,000 + Excellent Benefits

Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Role

WRK Digital is proud to partner exclusively with a well-known, high-profile organisation on a transformative data journey. We are seeking a talented Lead Data Engineer to play a pivotal role in a major data transformation initiative. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a forward-thinking company as they build an intelligent data platform in close collaboration with AWS engineers.

In this role, you’ll lead cutting-edge data engineering efforts that will enable strategic decision-making, enhance operational efficiency, and support the deployment of AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics across the organisation. We are looking for a hands-on, highly skilled individual who can set direction and bring technical leadership to a growing team. You’ll be managing a cloud-based data lake, designing reusable data assets, and fostering a data-first culture in a dynamic and impactful environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as Technical Lead for the central Data Services team, ensuring delivery of high-quality, scalable data pipelines.
  • Manage and evolve the organisation’s AWS-based data lake and catalogue.
  • Champion and embed best practices in data ownership, reusability, and governance.
  • Contribute to the organisation's Data Centre of Excellence and provide strategic input on data architecture.
  • Prioritise and track data sourcing activities through JIRA and Confluence.
  • Design delivery plans and oversee execution of data pipeline and asset development.
  • Collaborate across business units to identify opportunities for data reuse, efficiency, and innovation.
  • Mentor and upskill data engineers, analysts, and scientists across the business.
  • Promote a strong data culture and engage with stakeholders to maximise the value of data assets.

Key Requirements

  • Demonstrable experience leading the delivery of robust and reusable data pipelines using AWS technologies such as S3, Glue, Lambda, and Lake Formation.
  • Proficiency in Terraform, GitHub, and VS Code for pipeline deployment.
  • Strong SQL and familiarity with analytics tools such as Alteryx, AWS Athena, Quicksight, Sagemaker, Tableau, and Power BI.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Ability to write clear technical documentation and define user stories with appropriate acceptance criteria.
  • Experience in real-time data pipelines using AWS Kinesis / Firehose.
  • Industry experience in rail, transport, or similar sectors.
  • Involvement in data governance, literacy, and data ownership initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of CI/CD workflows in a data engineering context.

Why Join?

  • Be part of a cutting-edge data transformation initiative.
  • Collaborate with AWS engineers on a modern data architecture.
  • Make a tangible impact on revenue, cost savings, and customer experience.
  • Enjoy a supportive, flexible working environment and continuous learning opportunities.

If you’re a data visionary with the technical expertise and leadership qualities to shape the future of data in a fast-moving business, we’d love to hear from you. This role can be based anywhere in the UK with travel to York once a week. Apply now to be part of a data-driven journey that’s just getting started.

Lead Data Engineer employer: WRK digital

At WRK Digital, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration. Our supportive work culture fosters continuous learning and professional growth, allowing you to thrive as a Lead Data Engineer while making a significant impact on our transformative data journey. With the flexibility of hybrid working and a focus on cutting-edge technology, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to shaping the future of data in a high-profile organisation.
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Contact Detail:

WRK digital Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Data Engineer

✨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 in data engineering. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised.

✨Show Off Your Skills

Don’t just talk about your experience; showcase it! Create a portfolio of your projects, especially those involving AWS technologies. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.

✨Ace the Interview

Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your SQL and AWS knowledge. Practice common data engineering problems and be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Confidence is key!

✨Apply Through Our Website

We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance at landing that Lead Data Engineer role. It shows your enthusiasm and gives us a chance to see your application first-hand!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Data Engineer

AWS S3
AWS Glue
AWS Lambda
AWS Lake Formation
Terraform
GitHub
VS Code
SQL
Alteryx
AWS Athena
AWS Quicksight
AWS Sagemaker
Tableau
Power BI
Data Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Data Engineer role. Highlight your experience with AWS technologies and data pipelines, as well as any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about data engineering and how you can contribute to our transformative journey. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that showcase your expertise.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills in your application. Mention your proficiency in tools like Terraform, SQL, and AWS services. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make it clear what you bring to the table!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to submit all your documents in one go. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!

How to prepare for a job interview at WRK digital

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in AWS technologies like S3, Glue, and Lambda. Be ready to discuss your experience with these tools and how you've used them to build robust data pipelines. Brush up on Terraform and GitHub too, as they'll likely come up during technical discussions.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead Data Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've mentored others or led projects in the past. Highlight your experience in fostering a data-first culture and how you've championed best practices in data governance.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Think about scenarios where you've had to manage data sourcing activities or design delivery plans. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Communication is key! Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with different business units to identify opportunities for data reuse and innovation. Share specific examples of how you've engaged stakeholders to maximise the value of data assets in previous roles.

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