Technical Lead Data & Platform Engineer

Novo Holdings; Gentofte Kommune; On-site; DKK 1,100,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Holdings in Copenhagen HQ is seeking a Technical Lead Data & Platform Engineer to evolve, build, and maintain our platform. You will collaborate with the Head of Data & Analytics to steer development priorities and deliver robust, scalable solutions.

This hands-on role blends technical depth with stakeholder collaboration, focusing on data pipelines, real-time processing, governance by design, and production stability. You will mentor teammates while shipping high-impact data products.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in Data and Platform Engineering, with a MSc or PhD in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science or similar.
• Experience from an international environment is a plus.
• Comfortable with Azure cloud ecosystem, Databricks, Terraform, dbt, Python (and PySpark) and SQL.
• Experience delivering Python applications into Databricks workspaces and managing CI/CD with Azure DevOps.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of data pipelines using Azure, Databricks, and dbt.
• Manage infrastructure provisioning and deployments with Terraform and Azure DevOps.
• Implement CI/CD workflows, version control, and automation using Git and Azure DevOps.
• Develop and maintain data transformations, models, and orchestration in Databricks (Unity Catalog, Autoloader).
• Build and deploy Python applications and PySpark data processing solutions.
• Apply data modelling practices across structured and unstructured data sources.
• Ensure system-to-platform and system-to-system integrations via the data platform.
• Enable near real-time data processing and delivery capabilities.
• Contribute to semantic layer development connecting data products to business logic.
• Ensure governance by design with tests, DR and automated controls.
• Oversee production stability and daily operational excellence of data solutions.

Skills

Azure

Databricks

Terraform

dbt

Python

PySpark

SQL

Git

Azure DevOps

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

MSc or PhD in Engineering/Math/CS

Tools

Databricks

Terraform

dbt

Azure

Git

Azure DevOps

Job description

Description

Do you want to build and ship at scale with a global impact – on a modern, code‑first platform - for an investment firm, whose returns fund better health for people and the planet?

Novo Holdings is a world‑leading life science investor, driven by the purpose of improving people’s health and the sustainability of the planet. Since 1999 we have been investing to promote ground‑breaking solutions in healthcare and bio‑sustainability while generating attractive returns for the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s grant‑giving activities – supporting scientific, humanitarian, and social causes.

The Team

You’ll join the Data & Analytics team of Data, Platform, AI, and Software Engineers, as well as a dedicated UI/UX team – all building towards our digital vision. We all work at our Headquarters in Copenhagen.

We are responsible for building Novo Holdings’ entire data landscape and tailored software and AI products to provide our organisation with a differentiated view across sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio management - as well as the single, trusted entry point to all of Novo Holdings’ digital capabilities as a governed, high‑performance platform.

You’ll join a culture that values curiosity and personal upskilling and encourages you to experiment and challenge assumptions. We pride ourselves on the culture we’ve established, characterized by support, respect, a product mindset, high velocity, and an obsession with pushing boundaries and solving real user problems end‑to‑end.

About the Role

We are seeking a Technical Lead Data & Platform Engineer to further evolve, build, and maintain our platform. You will play a key role in architecting and implementing robust, scalable, and secure solutions, on a platform that is young enough for you to drive lasting influence. This is a hands‑on role that blends technical depth with stakeholder collaboration and delivery ownership. You’ll work in close collaboration with the Head of Data & Analytics to steer and drive development priorities forward.

The Job

Your key responsibilities are:

• Lead the design and development of data pipelines and products using Azure, Databricks, and dbt
• Manage infrastructure provisioning and deployments with Terraform and Azure DevOps
• Implement CI/CD workflows, version control, and automation practices using Git and Azure DevOps
• Develop and maintain data transformations, models, and orchestration logic in Databricks, leveraging features such as Unity Catalog and Autoloader
• Build and deploy Python applications and PySpark data processing solutions
• Apply best practices in data modelling across structured and unstructured data sources
• Ensure system‑to‑platform and system‑to‑system integrations where the data platform serves as the intermediate layer
• Enable (near) real‑time data processing and delivery capabilities
• Contribute to the development of the semantic layer, connecting data products to business logic
• Ensure compliance and governance by design – through testable Disaster Recovery and automated testing, controls, and guardrails.
• Oversee production stability, monitoring, and daily operational excellence of data solutions

Professional Qualifications

Many paths can lead to the position of a Technical Lead Data & Platform Engineer at Novo Holdings. You might be an engineering manager that wants to focus more on individual contributions, or an experienced senior with the ambition to take it to the next level.

We expect that you have 5+ years of experience in the field of Data and Platform Engineering, with a MSc or PhD in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science or similar. Experience from an international environment, private or financial organisations is not a must but a plus. We believe that to succeed in the role it is more important that you have demonstrated problem‑solving skills and a curious mind.

In addition, you are comfortable and familiar with:

• Azure cloud ecosystem
• Databricks (Unity Catalog, Autoloader, orchestration, environment management)
• Terraform for IaC provisioning
• dbt for data transformations and modelling
• Python (and PySpark) and SQL for pipeline and data product development
• Azure DevOps and Git for CI/CD and version control
• Experience working with both structured and unstructured data
• Exposure to (near) real‑time data processing frameworks
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to translate between business needs and technical requirements
• Understanding of semantic layers and their role in connecting data to business use cases
• Hands‑on experience deploying Python applications into Databricks workspaces

Personal Qualifications

As a person you are:

• Outcome- and impact‑oriented, with a strong product mindset
• Skilled at long‑term thinking and setting technical standards for quality and maintainability
• Curious, structured, and proactive in solving complex problems
• A true team player with the ability to operate independently
• Comfortable interacting with both technical specialists and business stakeholders, and able to communicate clearly and constructively

Working at Novo Holdings

Our work environment is driven by purpose and values, and we strive to be recognised by our stakeholders and people as an exceptional enterprise. We employ more than 230 professionals from various nationalities and backgrounds, all sharing the same goal: To generate attractive long‑term returns on the assets of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Our investment teams are spread across offices in San Francisco, Boston, London, Singapore, Mumbai, Shanghai, and our headquarters just north of Copenhagen in Hellerup.

Copenhagen