Data Engineer (Databricks Contractor)

iO Associates; North East; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology consulting firm in the UK seeks an experienced Databricks Engineer to lead evaluations and design strategic data solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with Databricks and Apache Spark, proficient in Python, and an effective communicator. This role is mainly onsite (3 days a week) in Newcastle, London, or Edinburgh, offering an opportunity to build scalable and high-performance data integrations.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Databricks and Apache Spark.
• Proficient in Python and SQL for data manipulation.
• Effective communicator with experience engaging stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead Databricks platform evaluation and performance benchmarking.
• Collaborate with Databricks Professional Services for architectural assurance.
• Design scalable data models and integration patterns.

Skills

Databricks

Apache Spark

Python

SQL

PySpark

Data governance

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Azure Data Factory

Event Hub

Unity Catalog

Job description

We're seeking an experienced Databricks Engineer to help design and deliver strategic data solutions across enterprise platforms. This role will support both proof-of-concept work and the development of a Strategic Operational Data Store (ODS), with a focus on performance, scalability, and governance. This role is 3 days a week onsite in either Newcastle, London or Edinburgh and falls outside IR35.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Databricks platform evaluation, including performance benchmarking and stress testing
• Collaborate with Databricks Professional Services for architectural assurance
• Design and document scalable data models and integration patterns
• Support enterprise integration, including Salesforce data and unified client ID strategies
• Migrate Azure Data Factory flows to Databricks for improved traceability
• Implement Unity Catalog for automated data lineage
• Deliver backlog items through Agile sprint planning

Skills & Experience

• Strong hands-on experience with Databricks, Fabric, Apache Spark, Delta Lake
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and PySpark
• Familiar with Azure Data Factory, Event Hub, Unity Catalog
• Solid understanding of data governance and enterprise architecture
• Effective communicator with experience engaging stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience with Salesforce data integration
• Prior involvement in platform PoCs or benchmarking
• Knowledge of Strategic ODS and enterprise integration strategies