Data Engineering Manager - Belfast

MCS Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global technology company in Belfast is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a Data Platform team. This role involves driving the design and engineering of a modern data platform. Ideal candidates will have a strong data engineering background, experience in cloud environments, and a passion for AI. Competitive benefits include hybrid working and the opportunity to influence the company's data and AI strategy.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Strong work-life balance

Autonomy and ownership

Qualifications

• Strong data engineering background.
• Experience building or modernising data platforms in a cloud environment.
• Understanding of software systems engineering principles.
• Familiarity with modern data tooling.
• Experience leading technical teams.
• Comfortable balancing technical leadership and people management.
• Interest in AI and data automation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data engineers and QA.
• Oversee design and build of data pipelines.
• Drive replacement of legacy analytics systems.
• Build internal and external dashboards.
• Focus on data quality and automation.
• Advance the AI and ML roadmap.

Skills

Data Engineering

Cloud environments (AWS)

Software Systems Engineering

Data Tooling (Looker, DBT, Airflow)

Team Leadership

AI / GenAI

Tools

Looker

AWS Lambda

Job description

MCS Group are delighted to be partnered EXCLUSIVELY with a global technology company with a strong and growing presence in Belfast. Their software solutions use advanced simulation and digital intelligence to help major global manufacturers make smarter design, sourcing, and production decisions.

The Belfast hub plays a central role in engineering and product development, with around 80 technical specialists supporting global operations. The company has a forward-thinking culture, embracing cloud, data, and AI innovation, on the lookout for an Engineering Manager to drive their Data platform to the next level

The Role

This is a brand-new leadership role as part of the company's next phase of data transformation. You'll head up a Data Platform team (currently 5 Engineers + 1 QA) responsible for building a new, modern data platform to power advanced analytics, dashboards, and AI capabilities across the business.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders in engineering, data science, and product to shape how data is used to drive insight and performance.

What You'll Do (Day to Day)

• Lead and mentor a small team of data engineers and QA, ensuring delivery of a robust, scalable platform.
• Oversee the design and build of data pipelines, integrations, and platform components.
• Drive the replacement of legacy analytics systems with modern tools (Looker, DBT, AWS).
• Build internal and external dashboards that bring complex data to life through visualisation.
• Maintain an ongoing focus on data quality, consistency, and automation.
• Play a key role in advancing the company's AI and ML roadmap, ensuring data readiness for future automation and predictive capabilities.

What You'll Need

• Strong data engineering background (not BI-only).
• Proven experience building or modernising data platforms in a cloud environment (AWS ideal).
• Solid understanding of software systems engineering principles.
• Hands-on familiarity with modern data tooling - Looker, Redshift, DBT, Airflow, AWS Lambda.
• Experience leading and growing technical teams (approx. 5-6 engineers).
• Comfortable balancing technical leadership with people management (roughly 50/50 split).
• Exposure to or interest in AI / GenAI and data automation.

Why Join

• Shape a brand-new data platform from the ground up.
• Lead a high-impact team in a company investing heavily in data and AI.
• Work in a collaborative, engineering-led culture with autonomy and ownership.
• Hybrid working with strong work-life balance and visibility across global teams.
• Opportunity to directly influence the company's AI and analytics strategy.

Interested?

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity please contact Rachael Walker, IT Recruitment Manager at MCS Group or click the apply button below.

If this position is not right for you, we have others that are.

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