Lead Data Engineer

Gravitas Recruitment Group (Global) Ltd; Crewe; On-site; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Life assurance

Employee assistance

Healthcare benefits

EV scheme

Cycle to work

Breakfast in office

Training & development

Clear progression

Job summary

Gravitas Recruitment Group (Global) Ltd in Crewe is seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to own enterprise‑scale data platforms. This hands‑on technical leader will shape data strategy, design modern data solutions, and drive delivery across a complex international business.

The role combines deep technical expertise with leadership, mentoring engineers, defining data governance, and enabling AI/ML readiness while delivering scalable pipelines and cloud‑based architectures.

Qualifications

• Experience as Senior/Lead Data Engineer in complex enterprise
• Hands-on with cloud-based data engineering tech and practices
• Strong ETL/ELT, data architecture and data quality
• Experience delivering large-scale data solutions
• Proven stakeholder management and communication skills
• Mentoring engineers and team development

Responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise complex data pipelines and scalable data models
• Provide technical leadership across data projects
• Drive evolution of cloud-based data platforms and architectures
• Mentor and develop data engineers
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into data solutions
• Establish data governance, security, quality, and performance practices
• Support AI/ML-ready data capabilities and future data architecture
• Influence data tooling and platform direction

Skills

Cloud data engineering

ETL/ELT design

Data architecture

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Tools

AWS Redshift

dbt

Databricks

Data catalog tooling

Job description

Crewe (4 days per week on site) | £90k + Bonus + Benefits

Gravitas are partnering with a global organisation to recruit an experienced Lead Data Engineer.

This is an exciting opportunity for a hands‑on technical leader to take ownership of enterprise‑scale data platforms, shape data strategy, and drive the design and delivery of modern data solutions across a complex international business.

The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership capability, playing a pivotal role in developing scalable data architecture, mentoring engineers, and enabling data‑driven decision making across the organisation.

The Opportunity

As Lead Data Engineer, you will sit at the centre of a high‑performing Data Services function, responsible for delivering and evolving modern data platforms that support multiple business units and stakeholders.

You will have significant influence over data architecture, engineering standards, platform development, and the future direction of data and analytics capabilities, including AI and machine learning readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build and optimise complex data pipelines and scalable data models.
• Provide technical leadership across data engineering projects and initiatives.
• Drive the evolution of modern cloud‑based data platforms and architectures.
• Mentor, coach and support the development of data engineers within the team.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to translate requirements into effective data solutions.
• Establish and promote best practices around data governance, security, quality, and platform performance.
• Support the development of AI/ML‑ready data capabilities and future‑focused data architecture.
• Influence strategic decisions relating to data engineering, tooling, and platform direction.

About You

• Proven experience operating as a Senior Data Engineer or Lead Data Engineer within a complex enterprise environment.
• Strong hands‑on expertise across modern cloud‑based data engineering technologies and practices.
• Deep understanding of ETL/ELT methodologies, data architecture principles, and data quality frameworks.
• Experience designing and delivering large‑scale data solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and define clear technical solutions.
• Passion for data engineering and a genuine interest in helping teams grow and succeed.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineers.
• AWS Redshift.
• dbt.
• Databricks.
• Data orchestration and data catalogue tooling.
• AI and machine learning platforms and data preparation.

Salary & Benefits

• Performance‑related bonus
• Life assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Healthcare and wellbeing support
• Electric Vehicle scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Complimentary breakfast when in the office
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Clear progression pathways within a growing technology and data function

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact within a data‑driven organisation where data is central to business strategy. You'll have the autonomy to shape engineering best practice, influence technology decisions, and help build the next generation of data capabilities.