🎯 Role: Lead Data Engineer
Location: London-based - Hybrid (with global team collaboration)
Salary: £80,000-£90,000 (Neg.) + 10% bonus
Start date: July onwards — open to 3-month notice period
📌 The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to lead data engineering efforts at a telecoms scale-up backed by private equity investment. The business is entering a crucial growth period, maintaining a start-up mindset while rolling out its platform globally. With the current lead moving on, this is a business-critical hire where you’ll play a pivotal role in defining, building, and evolving the data platform to support cutting-edge digital initiatives. The role offers autonomy, ownership, and visibility during a transformative growth phase.
🧠Who They’re Looking For
We're searching for a hands-on Lead Data Engineer with at least 5–8 years of experience in data engineering. You should have strong technical proficiency in Azure, Databricks, Python, PySpark, and Synapse, with a proven ability to work across complex data environments. Beyond technical capability, we're looking for someone who combines humility with curiosity and a strong desire to learn. You should thrive under pressure, take change in your stride, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile environment. Experience working across time zones and cultures will be highly beneficial given the global scale of operations.
🔧 Day-to-Day
You will play a key role in building and maintaining the company’s unified data platform using tools like Databricks, Python, PySpark, and Synapse. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams including digital, data science, AI, and product functions to support high-impact, confidential projects. The work environment follows a scaled agile framework, with training provided if you're not already familiar. You will gain first-hand exposure to generative AI technologies and methodologies, with support to develop expertise in this rapidly emerging field.
🚀 Why This Role Stands Out
Our client combines the pace and mindset of a start-up with the scale and backing of a larger organisation. This environment offers a greenfield approach to innovation, where your contributions have direct impact. There’s a strong emphasis on personal and professional growth, with extensive training and mentoring available. Rapid project delivery cycles — such as a SIM swap feature launched in under 3 months — mean your work won’t sit in a pipeline for long. This is a role where you can expect to make a genuine difference, fast.
✅ What Will Make You Shine
A passionate learner who embraces uncertainty and complexity will thrive here. Demonstrating a history of fast adoption of new technologies, a solutions-oriented mindset, and collaborative problem-solving will set you apart. Clear communication under pressure, combined with a genuine passion for driving innovation, is essential.
