Data Engineer

Pontoon; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Pontoon is seeking a Data Engineer to join a major UK financial services programme, building a new enterprise knowledge platform from scratch. You’ll transform data into trusted, searchable assets and contribute to AI-ready data foundations for enterprise search and RAG applications.

The role involves designing scalable pipelines, knowledge graphs and metadata processes, with Python/SQL development across cloud-native platforms.

Qualifications

• Design and build scalable ETL/ELT data pipelines across multiple enterprise data sources.
• Develop data solutions using BigQuery, Google Spanner, Neo4j and vector databases.
• Build and maintain Knowledge Graphs connecting enterprise entities, systems and knowledge assets.
• Develop and optimise search indexing to improve knowledge discovery and retrieval.
• Implement metadata, cataloguing and enrichment capabilities.
• Develop robust data models for AI, analytics and knowledge management.
• Build event-driven data pipelines supporting real-time ingestion and processing.
• Ensure strong data quality, governance, lineage and traceability.
• Use Python and SQL to develop automation and data engineering solutions.
• Monitor and optimise data platform performance, scalability and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable ETL/ELT data pipelines across multiple enterprise data sources.
• Develop data solutions using BigQuery, Google Spanner, Neo4j and vector databases.
• Build and maintain Knowledge Graphs connecting enterprise entities, systems and knowledge assets.
• Develop and optimise search indexing to improve knowledge discovery and retrieval.
• Implement metadata, cataloguing and enrichment capabilities.
• Develop robust data models for AI, analytics and knowledge management.
• Build event-driven data pipelines supporting real-time ingestion and processing.
• Ensure strong data quality, governance, lineage and traceability.
• Use Python and SQL to develop automation and data engineering solutions.
• Monitor and optimise data platform performance, scalability and reliability.
• Work closely with AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Architects, Governance teams and business stakeholders

Skills

Python

SQL

Data pipelines

Data modelling

Knowledge graphs

Cloud platforms

Tools

BigQuery

Google Spanner

Neo4j

Vector databases

Job description

Data Engineer - Enterprise Knowledge & AI Platform

1 Vacancy | Leeds, Manchester or Edinburgh | Hybrid - 2 Days on Site

Contract: Initial term to 20 December 2026, with a view to extend | multi-year programme

We're looking for a Data Engineer to join a major UK financial services organisation embarking on an exciting technology transformation.

You’ll be part of a multi-year programme building a new enterprise knowledge platform from scratch, transforming data and knowledge from across the organisation into trusted, searchable and AI-ready assets.

This is a genuine greenfield opportunity where you’ll help build the data foundations that power enterprise search, knowledge discovery, AI applications and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).

What you’ll be doing

• Design and build scalable ETL/ELT data pipelines across multiple enterprise data sources
• Develop data solutions using BigQuery, Google Spanner, Neo4j and vector databases
• Build and maintain Knowledge Graphs connecting enterprise entities, systems and knowledge assets
• Develop and optimise search indexing to improve knowledge discovery and retrieval
• Implement metadata, cataloguing and enrichment capabilities
• Develop robust data models for AI, analytics and knowledge management
• Build event-driven data pipelines supporting real-time ingestion and processing
• Ensure strong data quality, governance, lineage and traceability
• Use Python and SQL to develop automation and data engineering solutions
• Monitor and optimise data platform performance, scalability and reliability
• Work closely with AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Architects, Governance teams and business stakeholders

What we’re looking for

• Strong experience in data engineering and scalable data pipelines
• Excellent Python and SQL skills
• Experience with cloud-native data platforms
• Knowledge of search, indexing and data retrieval technologies
• Experience with data modelling, metadata and data governance
• Understanding of Knowledge Graphs, graph databases and/or vector databases
• Experience working with large-scale or complex enterprise data environments

The Opportunity

Join a multi-year strategic technology programme and help build the data and knowledge foundations for a new enterprise AI platform from the ground up.

The initial contract runs until 20 December 2026, with a view to extending as the programme continues.

Candidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

Please be advised if you haven’t heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details in file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone’s chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention.