Lead Data Engineer

ALEC Holdings; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunities for professional growth

Collaborative environment

Career progression

Job summary

ALEC Holdings invites an experienced Lead Data Engineer to shape and govern the data platform across the enterprise. You will own the data warehouse, lake layers, medallion architecture, and enterprise data model, driving standards, quality, and scalability for analytics.

You will build pipelines from ERP and operational sources, lead tool evaluations, and oversee BI reporting with Power BI. Collaboration with business and technology teams will ensure trusted, governed data and strategic

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Python and PySpark for data engineering.
• Extensive use of SQL and relational databases with NoSQL experience (MongoDB, Cosmos DB).
• Expertise in designing and building ETL/ELT pipelines and integrating data from multiple sources/APIs.
• Experience with large-scale distributed data processing frameworks.
• Experience with workflow orchestration tools (Airflow).
• Deep data modelling/architecture knowledge (dimensional, enterprise models, medallion).
• Cloud data platforms (AWS or Azure).
• Data quality, cataloguing, governance with Microsoft Purview.
• Building data warehouses and BI solutions (Power BI).
• Setting technical standards and leading architecture decisions.
• Leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Managing multiple priorities across data functions.
• Experience with Databricks or Microsoft Fabric.
• Developing data platforms or data functions.
• ERP/construction data.

Responsibilities

• Own the data platform architecture including data warehouse, lake, medallion layers, and enterprise data model.
• Define and enforce data engineering standards, patterns, and code quality.
• Lead data modelling, data cataloguing, and governance (tools like Purview).
• Design, build, and optimize core ETL/ELT pipelines from ERP, operations, files and APIs.
• Guide platform direction; evaluate and select tools on cost and capability.
• Build and maintain BI reports/dashboards (Power BI or equivalent).
• Deliver trusted analytics-ready data to the business.
• Translate business requirements into technical solutions and advise stakeholders.
• Monitor and manage technical debt and platform health.
• Provide technical leadership, code/design reviews, and mentorship.
• Align data roadmap with business goals and enable access to governed data.

Skills

Python

PySpark

SQL

Relational DBs

NoSQL

MongoDB

Cosmos DB

ETL

ELT

Distributed processing

Airflow

Data modelling

Data architecture

Dimensional modelling

Data marts

Medallion architecture

AWS

Azure

Data quality

Data cataloguing

Data governance

Microsoft Purview

Power BI

Technical leadership

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Prioritization

Databricks

Microsoft Fabric

ERP data

Construction data

Education

Degree in appropriate discipline

Job description

Are you a highly skilled Lead Data Engineer passionate about building robust data pipelines, scalable architectures, and high-quality data platforms that enable advanced analytics and business insights?

Who are we?

ALEC Holdings PJSC, part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), is a leading GCC construction group with over two decades of success delivering some of the region’s most complex and high-profile projects. As a proudly publicly listed company, ALEC continues to raise the bar for quality, innovation, and excellence in construction, driving iconic developments that shape skylines across the Middle East.

In the UAE, ALEC has delivered many of the nation’s most iconic developments, operating as a fully integrated contractor through specialist business units that provide end-to-end construction solutions.

ALEC provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and shared services that support the performance and growth of all businesses within the Group. From governance, finance, and talent to innovation, digital systems, and sustainability, the Head Office acts as the central hub that enables each business unit to deliver with confidence, consistency, and excellence across the construction and engineering value chain.

Why Join Us?

As a Lead Data Engineer based at ALEC, you’ll play a vital role in enabling our diverse businesses to succeed. From strategy and governance to enabling services and shared expertise, you’ll help shape the operational backbone that empowers our teams to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients across the region.

At ALEC, we’re about more than just building iconic structures - we’re about building exceptional careers. As a trusted partner to some of the region’s most ambitious projects, we value innovation, operational excellence, and our people. Join us to deliver IT initiatives that directly shape our business success, from sourcing candidates to enhancing candidate experiences.

About Your Team

Our team is passionate about turning complex data into meaningful insights that drive business success. By combining strong technical expertise with close collaboration across business and technology stakeholders, we build reliable data platforms, intuitive reporting, and scalable solutions that empower smarter decision-making at every level.

Your Role

As a Lead Data Engineer, you will

• Own the architecture of the data platform, including the data warehouse and lake layers, the medallion structure (raw, cleansed, and curated), and the enterprise data model that feeds reporting and analytics
• Define and enforce data engineering standards, design patterns, code quality, and best practices for the team
• Lead the enterprise data modelling, cataloguing, and governance framework, establishing standards for data quality, lineage, security, and ownership using tools such as Microsoft Purview
• Design, build, and optimize core data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes, integrating data from sources such as ERP, operational systems, files, and APIs
• Guide the technical direction for the platform, and lead the evaluation and selection of tools and technologies on cost, capability, and fit
• Build and maintain BI reports and dashboards using Power BI or similar, and oversee the wider BI and reporting layer built on the platform
• Deliver trusted, governed, analytics ready data to the business
• Analyse business requirements, translate them into technical solutions, and advise stakeholders on the right data and technical approach
• Maintain an overview of technical debt and platform health, and ensure it is managed and paid down over time
• Provide technical leadership, code and design review, and mentoring to data engineers, and help build the team's capability
• Partner with business and technology stakeholders to align the data roadmap with organizational goals, and enable teams across the business to access and use trusted, governed data

What We’re Looking For

Skills and Competencies

• Strong hands-on experience with Python and PySpark for data engineering
• Extensive use of SQL and relational database systems such as SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL, along with experience of NoSQL stores such as MongoDB or Cosmos DB
• Deep expertise in designing and building ETL and ELT pipelines and integrating data from multiple sources and APIs using both batch and API based methods
• Experience with large scale, distributed data processing frameworks
• Experience with workflow orchestration and transformation tools such as Airflow or similar
• Deep expertise in data modelling and architecture, including dimensional modelling, enterprise data models, data marts, and medallion architecture
• Strong experience with at least one major cloud data platform, such as AWS or Azure
• Strong knowledge of data quality, cataloguing, and data governance frameworks, with tools such as Microsoft Purview
• Hands-on experience building data warehouse and BI solutions, including Power BI, or similar tools.
• Proven ability to set technical standards, lead architecture decisions, and review the work of others
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and communication skills, both written and verbal, across business, technical, and project teams
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands across the data function
• Experience with modern data platforms such as Databricks or Microsoft Fabric
• Experience setting up or maturing a data platform or data function
• Experience with ERP, project, or construction industry data

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in appropriate discipline or equivalent demonstrated experience and/or
• 5+ years experience
• Certifications in data engineering, data architecture, analytics, or a major cloud platform are an advantage

What We Offer

• The chance to contribute to some of UAE most iconic projects.
• A collaborative, supportive environment that values innovation and excellence.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career progression.