Data Engineer

Platform Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Platform Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Senior Data Engineer in the UK to design and build data-intensive applications and pipelines. You will contribute to production data systems, engage directly with clients, and work alongside exceptional engineers in a culture that values depth and knowledge sharing.

The ideal candidate has strong Python/SQL skills, experience with Spark/Databricks, and a track record of delivering reliable data solutions at scale. Prior mentoring experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Strong experience designing and building data-intensive applications and pipelines.
• Excellent Python and SQL skills with solid software engineering fundamentals across testing, code quality, and maintainability.
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Experience with orchestration tools such as Airflow or equivalent.
• A focus on data quality and reliability, with the instinct to test, troubleshoot, and improve what you build.

Responsibilities

• Design and build data-intensive applications and pipelines.
• Develop production-grade data systems from proof of concept to deployment.
• Engage with clients and collaborate with a high-caliber engineering team.
• Mentor junior engineers and uphold high coding standards across the team.

Skills

Data engineering

Python

SQL

Testing & quality

Mentoring

Education

2:1 from a Russell Group university (CS/Math/Engineering/Physics)

Masters or PhD (bonus)

Tools

Spark

Databricks

Airflow

Kafka

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

A boutique technical consultancy is building one of the most technically rigorous data engineering teams in the UK. The work spans defence, financial services, and private capital. The environments are demanding, the standards are high, and the problems are genuinely complex.

This is a hands-on senior engineering role with real breadth, spanning proof of concept through to fully engineered production data systems and direct client engagement. You will work alongside exceptional engineers in a collaborative, low-ego culture where technical depth is valued and knowledge sharing is central to how the team operates.

What we are looking for

• Strong experience designing and building data-intensive applications and pipelines
• Excellent Python and SQL skills with solid software engineering fundamentals across testing, code quality, and maintainability
• Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as Spark or Databricks
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
• Experience with orchestration tools such as Airflow or equivalent
• A focus on data quality and reliability, with the instinct to test, troubleshoot, and improve what you build
• Minimum 2:1 from a Russell Group university in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline. Masters or PhD is a strong bonus

Particularly strong candidates will also have

• Experience working with streaming data platforms such as Kafka
• Familiarity with data mesh, data lakehouse, or modern data architecture patterns
• Experience delivering in agile, sprint-based environments
• A track record of mentoring junior engineers and maintaining high engineering standards across a team

Why this role

You will be joining a consultancy attracting some of the strongest technical minds in the country, working on problems that matter, with colleagues who will challenge and develop you.