Lead Data Engineer

Royal London; Alderley Edge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

14% pension matching

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Royal London is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to provide hands-on engineering leadership across our data platform with a focus on Microsoft Fabric. You will lead a small team and help design, build and operate reliable, secure data solutions while contributing to the wider data platform strategy.

You will oversee day-to-day operations, drive data quality, implement automated solutions, and collaborate with Group Data Office and IT to meet business needs.

Qualifications

• Extensive data engineering leadership experience.
• Proven ability to deliver and operate large-scale data systems.
• Strong expertise in Microsoft Fabric and Azure data services.
• Experience with Python, CI/CD and data security.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of data engineers.
• Oversee pipeline availability, data quality and incident response.
• Design, build, and operate reliable data solutions in Fabric.
• Collaborate with IT and data governance to align with strategy.
• Embed risk controls and regulatory requirements in team work.

Skills

Leadership

Python

Microsoft Fabric

Azure

Apache Spark

Data governance

Tools

SQL databases

CI/CD pipelines

Fabric pipelines

Job description

“It feels good to have a career with real purpose.”

Job Summary

We’re looking for a Lead Data Engineer to provide hands‑on engineering leadership across our data platform landscape, with a particular focus on Microsoft Fabric. You’ll lead and support a small team, helping us design, build and operate reliable, secure and high‑quality data solutions in Fabric while contributing to the development and improvement of our wider data platforms.

About the role

• Lead and support a team of Data Engineers, setting clear technical standards and helping the team work effectively and efficiently.
• Oversee the day‑to‑day operation of our data engineering services, including pipeline availability, data quality, incident resolution, change management and performance optimisation.
• Manage data engineering deliverables, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
• Identify and introduce modern technologies and techniques that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our data engineering processes.
• Design, develop and implement automated solutions that reduce manual data processing and improve speed, accuracy, consistency and repeatability.
• Collaborate with teams across Royal London, including the Group Data Office and IT, to ensure our data capabilities meet business needs and support the wider data strategy.
• Embed effective risk management, operational controls and regulatory requirements throughout the team’s work.

About you

• Deep technical knowledge and a strong track record in data engineering, including delivering and operating large-scale data processing systems.
• Experience of successfully leading development initiatives and supporting or managing technical teams, ideally within an agile delivery environment.
• Strong practical experience of Microsoft Fabric with an understanding of how Fabric supports governed analytics and data engineering at scale.
• A good understanding of data processing technologies and tools such as Apache Spark, data lakes, data warehousing and SQL databases.
• Proficiency in Python and continuous integration and continuous delivery techniques, enabling change to be implemented consistently, securely and to a high standard.
• Experience of cloud‑based data storage and processing platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure.
• An understanding of data security and privacy requirements, supported by strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and an automation‑focused mindset.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and stakeholder‑management skills, with the confidence to work independently and constructively challenge where needed.

We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and your unique experiences and perspectives could be a great addition to our team.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long‑term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as

• 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• up to 14% employer matching pension scheme
• private medical insurance

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.

Only candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK or Ireland can undertake this role.

Unfortunately, Royal London is unable to provide visa or work permit sponsorship.