Lead Data Engineer | Python & SQL

Lead Data Engineer | Python & SQL

Salary: Up to £90,000 dependent on experience

Location: London | Monday to Thursday in the office. Friday work from home

Ref: J13197

A growing AI-powered SaaS business is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to establish and lead its Data Engineering function, develop the team and set the standards that support its next phase of growth.

You’ll take ownership of how data products are engineered and delivered, combining improvements to engineering practices with hands-on delivery of critical pipelines. Your work will power live products and directly contribute to the value customers receive.

Working alongside technical and product leaders, you’ll support engineers’ development, introduce clear delivery processes and tackle complex technical challenges. This is an opportunity to shape a growing function and embed strong engineering principles from the outset.

What you’ll own:

• Engineering standards, tooling and ways of working.
• Line management, mentoring and future recruitment.
• SQL-led transformation pipelines and Python orchestration.
• Code review, automated testing, Git workflows and CI/CD.
• Data modelling, deployment controls and production reliability.
• Integration of AI outputs into production data pipelines.
• Practical adoption of AI engineering tools, supported by validation and quality controls.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience building a Data Engineering function or significantly improving an existing team’s practices.
• Proven line-management experience and a track record of developing engineers.
• Strong hands-on SQL and Python skills.
• Solid experience in data modelling, cloud infrastructure and deployment automation.
• The judgement to balance delivery demands with maintainability and technical quality.

This would suit a Lead Data Engineer or hands-on Data Engineering Manager who has raised engineering standards, developed people and made delivery more reliable. If you’re ready to bring that experience to a scaling AI business, apply or message me for a confidential conversation.

Alternatively, you can refer a friend or colleague through our referral scheme. For each relevant candidate you introduce whom we successfully place, you will be entitled to our gift or voucher scheme.

Datatech is one of the UK’s leading recruitment agencies specialising in data and analytics and is the host of the critically acclaimed Women in Data event. For more information, visit www.datatech.org.uk