Lead Data Engineer

JR United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Lead Data Engineer (Consultant) to drive technical excellence and mentor a team. In this remote-first position, you will lead data-intensive projects, shape best practices, and influence technical delivery. The ideal candidate has proven experience in leading teams and strong software development skills in Java, Scala, or Python, along with a passion for AI. Competitive salary of up to £110,000 plus benefits offered.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development and training

Collaborative culture

Exposure to high-impact projects

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams delivering data-intensive systems.
• Strong software development skills in any major programming language.
• Ability to design analytical and operational data models.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own critical data components and pipelines.
• Shape technical standards and best practices.
• Mentor and coach team members while influencing project delivery.

Skills

Leadership in data systems

Software development skills (Java, Scala, Python)

Expert SQL skills

Design analytical and operational data models

Passion for AI and emerging technologies

Job description

Overview

Lead Data Engineer (Consultant) – Remote-First, UK Wide Up to £110,000 + Package – Permanent

We’re looking for a Lead Data Engineer (Consultant) ready to take the next step in their career. This is a senior, hands-on role where you’ll lead the design and development of data-intensive systems, drive technical excellence, and mentor a small team of engineers — all while shaping the delivery of complex, high-impact projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and own critical data components and pipelines in high-profile projects across multiple sectors.
• Shape technical standards, best practices, and the way teams deliver quality at scale.
• Hands-on design and development with modern data platforms, frameworks, and languages.
• Mentoring and coaching team members while influencing project delivery and architecture.
• Contribute to pre-sales and technical proposals, helping define innovative solutions for clients.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams delivering data-intensive systems in consulting or client-facing environments.
• Strong software development skills in Java, Scala, or Python, and expertise with ETL / data processing platforms.
• Expert SQL skills and deep understanding of distributed data stores and processing frameworks.
• Ability to design analytical and operational data models and clearly communicate technical designs.
• Passion for AI and emerging technologies, with a drive to stay at the cutting edge.

Why you’ll love working here

• Remote-first, flexible working across the UK.
• Career development, training, and the chance to influence the growth of a high-performing data practice.
• Collaborative, people-first culture where your ideas, expertise, and impact are valued.
• Exposure to challenging, high-impact projects that make a difference in real-world applications.

If you’re ready to take ownership, lead technical excellence, and grow your consulting career, get in touch with Brad Collings to explore this opportunity.