Head of Data Engineering

MRJ Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MRJ Recruitment seeks an experienced Head of Data Engineering in Manchester to lead and scale a centralised data engineering function during a data-driven transformation.

You will partner with senior leaders across Data Science, Analytics, Product and Engineering, mentor a global team, and define the data architecture and strategy. This hybrid role offers the chance to shape technology strategy, delivered through scalable platforms and robust pipelines with a focus on data quality.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a Data Engineering function or large engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of modern data architecture, medallion architecture and Databricks.
• Experience designing scalable data platforms and pipelines.
• Strong programming experience in Python, Scala or Java.
• Exposure to ETL tooling such as Rivery and MLOps frameworks.
• Experience with cloud platforms AWS, Azure or GCP.
• Strategic thinker who can influence solution design while managing managers.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading, developing and mentoring a global team of Data Engineers, including managers.
• Defining and delivering the wider data engineering strategy, aligned with business objectives.
• Owning the data architecture, ensuring platforms and pipelines are scalable, robust and fit for the future.
• Driving best practice across data ingestion, transformation, storage and integration.
• Providing technical direction around modern data platforms, particularly Databricks and medallion architecture.
• Championing data quality, governance, observability and security.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities, resolve challenges and remove blockers.
• Evaluating new technologies and approaches to continually improve the data engineering capability.

Skills

Team leadership

Data architecture

Databricks

Medallion architecture

Programming (Python/Scala/Java)

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Tools

Rivery

MLOps frameworks

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Head of Data Engineering | Manchester | Hybrid (2-3 days)

We're looking for an experienced Head of Data Engineering to lead and scale a centralised data engineering function within an established, growing technology-led business.

The business is going through an exciting period of digital and data transformation, with new acquisitions, an expanding product portfolio and increasing investment in its data capabilities. Data is becoming increasingly central to how the organisation operates, makes decisions and grows.

The Role

You'll take ownership of the data engineering function, working closely with senior leadership and teams across Data Science, Analytics, Product and Engineering.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, developing and mentoring a global team of Data Engineers, including managers.
• Defining and delivering the wider data engineering strategy, aligned with business objectives.
• Owning the data architecture, ensuring platforms and pipelines are scalable, robust and fit for the future.
• Driving best practice across data ingestion, transformation, storage and integration.
• Providing technical direction around modern data platforms, particularly Databricks and medallion architecture.
• Championing data quality, governance, observability and security.
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to identify opportunities, resolve challenges and remove blockers.
• Evaluating new technologies and approaches to continually improve the data engineering capability.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading a Data Engineering function or large engineering team.
• Strong technical knowledge of modern data architecture, particularly medallion architecture and Databricks.
• Experience designing and delivering scalable data platforms and pipelines.
• Strong programming experience with Python, Scala or Java.
• Exposure to ETL tooling such as Rivery and MLOps frameworks.
• Experience working with cloud platforms across AWS, Azure or GCP.
• The ability to operate strategically while retaining enough technical depth to influence solution design.
• Experience managing managers and supporting geographically distributed engineering teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes.

Interested?

If you're an experienced Data Engineering leader looking for an opportunity to shape the direction of a growing data function, build great teams and influence technology strategy, I'd be keen to hear from you.