Lead Data Engineer

Xdesign; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and remote options

Job summary

CreateFuture in the UK is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to own the technical direction of a data engagement, leading a team and working with Microsoft Fabric, Python and PySpark across our data team. You’ll design data platform architecture, set standards for pipelines and CI/CD, and work closely with client stakeholders to ensure delivery is technically excellent and commercially sound.

You’ll also lead incident response, drive architectural decisions and build scalable data solutions across

Qualifications

• We are looking for a Lead Data Engineer with hands-on experience in modern cloud data platforms and strong engineering depth.
• Expertise in SQL, data modelling and architecture (Kimball, data vault, medallion/lakehouse).
• Proficiency in Python and PySpark for batch/ELT data processing at scale.
• Experience leading a team of data engineers and setting standards for pipeline design and delivery.
• Experience owning CI/CD and operational practices for data workflows, ideally using Azure DevOps.
• Experience working directly with client stakeholders and familiarity with the Azure ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical direction of a data engagement and set pipeline architecture standards.
• Lead and direct a team of data engineers, reviewing designs and code.
• Design and evolve data platform architecture on Microsoft Fabric, including pipelines and Azure OneLake.
• Set CI/CD, testing and operational practices across the data engineering workflows using Azure DevOps.
• Translate business and data requirements into a technical roadmap for clients.
• Troubleshoot complex data pipeline issues and lead incident response when needed.

Job description

Working at CreateFuture CreateFuture is anAI-native consulting partnerwhere people do work that matters and are supported to do it well. We work alongside organisations such as PayPal, adidas, NatWest, FanDuel and Money Saving Expert, building digital products and services that make a difference while always putting people first.

We’re a team of creators. We write code, shape delivery, build go-to-market strategies, develop AI solutions and create the practices that support our people. We work side by side with our clients, challenging what’s not working and helping them to build the future. Our commitment to craft, quality, and culture has helped us scale to over 600 people in just a few years. CreateFuture is a Great Place to Work-Certified™ company and has won Best Workplaces UK multiple years in a row.

Join us on our journey. Let’s create tomorrow, together, today.

About the role and team:

We are looking for a Lead Data Engineer to own the technical direction of a data engagement, working with Microsoft Fabric, Python, and PySpark across our data team. You'll lead a team of data engineers, setting the standards for how pipelines and architecture are designed, built, and operated, while remaining hands‑on with the most complex technical challenges. You'll work closely with client stakeholders and CreateFuture's wider engineering capability to ensure delivery is both technically excellent and commercially sound.

What you'll be doing:

• Own the technical direction of a data engagement, setting standards for pipeline architecture, data modelling, testing, and operational readiness
• Lead and technically direct a team of data engineers, allocating work, reviewing designs and code, and unblocking technical challenges
• Design and evolve data platform architecture on Microsoft Fabric, including data pipelines, Azure OneLake, and the broader Azure ecosystem
• Set and enforce CI/CD, testing, and operational practices across the engagement's data engineering workflows, using Azure DevOps
• Build professional relationships with key client stakeholders, translating business and data requirements into a coherent technical roadmap
• Troubleshoot and resolve the most complex issues in live data pipelines, and lead incident response when things go wrong

We'd love to talk to you if you:

• • Have extensive hands‑on experience with a modern cloud data platform such as Microsoft Fabric (our current client's platform), Databricks, Snowflake, or Synapse, including designing production data platforms — the platform is the wrapper, not the skill, and strong engineering depth on one transfers readily to another
  • Have deep SQL expertise and a strong grasp of data modelling and architecture (Kimball, data vault, medallion/lakehouse patterns, or domain modelling) — this is the clearest line between someone who operates a platform and someone who can design on top of it, and it's provider-agnostic
  • Have strong proficiency in Python and PySpark for batch/ELT data processing at scale (this role centres on batch pipeline engineering — we treat streaming/real-time as a separate discipline and never assume the two are interchangeable)
  • Have led or technically directed a team of data engineers, setting standards for pipeline design, testing, and delivery
  • Have experience owning CI/CD and operational practices for data engineering workflows, ideally using Azure DevOps
  • Are experienced working directly with client stakeholders, building trust and challenging where appropriate
  • Have familiarity with the broader Azure ecosystem, including Azure OneLake and Azure ML, particularly for model industrialisation

What we’ll offer you:

We trust people to do their best work. That means flexibility over rigid rules, impact over activity, and real investment in your growth both professionally and personally. You’ll be part of a supportive, and friendly culture, surrounded by smart, curious people who care deeply about what they do.

We trust you to manage your time balancing collaboration with client time and focused work. What matters is the impact you have, not how busy you look.

We offer flexible working, including hybrid and remote options. Our office hubs are located in Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, London and Bulgaria, with occasional travel to client sites or CreateFuture offices when needed.

Our hiring process

We try to keep our hiring process clear, fair and respectful of your time. We aim to get back to everyone who applies and we will be upfront about where you are in the process.

It usually looks like this:

• Call with our Talent Acquisition Team
• Role specific capability interview

Depending on the role, we might also ask you to do a short presentation, a practical or technical task or have a values focused conversation. We will explain what is involved before anything happens.

Inclusion at CreateFuture

We believe diverse teams build better workplaces and better products. We want CreateFuture to be a place where people feel able to be themselves and do their best work.

If you need any adjustments or support during the application process, just. We will do what we can to help.

We look forward to your application!