Contract Senior Data Engineer

ZipRecruiter; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative consultancy is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to craft robust data solutions that drive AI and analytics. This is a unique opportunity to build high-performance data infrastructure from the ground up, collaborating with talented teams. The role involves designing cloud data pipelines, supporting AI workflows, and mentoring junior engineers. If you thrive in dynamic environments and are passionate about shaping the future of data engineering, this role offers a chance to make a significant impact in a pioneering organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data engineering or backend cloud development.
• Strong skills in Python, SQL, and Databricks, especially PySpark & Delta Lake.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing cloud-data pipelines using Azure and Databricks.
• Building clean, governed data layers for ML, analytics, and application use.

Skills

Python

SQL

Databricks

PySpark

Delta Lake

Azure Data Factory

Azure Synapse

Event Hub

Azure ML

MLflow

Job description

Job Description

Location: London, Hybrid

Rate: Up to £600 per day

Contract: 6 months (Outside IR35, potential to go perm)

Tech Stack: Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks, Delta Lake, PySpark, Python, SQL, Event Hub, Azure ML, MLflow

We’ve partnered with a new AI-first professional services consultancy that’s taking on the Big Four. Currently in stealth mode and gearing up for launch, they’re assembling a founding team of contractors with the view to scale into permanent leadership as the business grows.

They’re now hiring a Senior Data Engineer to build robust, scalable data solutions powering AI, analytics, and future client delivery. If you love creating high-performance data infrastructure from the ground up — this is your chance to help shape the data backbone of a next-gen consultancy.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Designing and implementing cloud- data pipelines using Azure and Databricks

Building clean, governed data layers for ML, analytics, and application use

Supporting LLM/AI data workflows through structured and unstructured pipeline design

Contributing to reusable data engineering components across client and internal use cases

Collaborating with data scientists, architects, and product teams to enable experimentation and delivery

Mentoring junior engineers and supporting team capability development

What You Need:

5+ years in data engineering or backend cloud development

Strong Python, SQL, and Databricks skills (especially PySpark & Delta Lake)

Deep experience with Azure: Data Factory, Synapse, Event Hub, Azure Functions

Understanding of MLOps tooling like MLflow and integration with AI pipelines

Exposure to data for LLM workflows, unstructured sources, and real-time ingestion

Comfortable operating in an early-stage environment, with minimal structure and high ownership

This is a contract role outside IR35, UK-based, and ideal for someone excited to help shape a company from the ground up. Apply today!