Lead Data Engineer

Datatech; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Datatech in London is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to build and lead its Data Engineering function. You will own engineering standards, mentor engineers, and deliver SQL-led pipelines while integrating AI outputs into production data flows.

The role combines hands-on work with strategic leadership to scale a growing AI-powered SaaS business. The position offers ownership of data products, collaboration with product leaders, and a chance to shape how the organization delivers data-driven value to

Qualifications

• Experience building a Data Engineering function or improving an existing team.
• Proven line-management experience and developing engineers.
• Strong hands-on SQL and Python skills.
• Solid experience in data modelling, cloud infrastructure and deployment automation.

Responsibilities

• Define and uphold engineering standards, tooling and ways of working.
• Line manage, mentor and recruit for the data engineering function.
• Build and maintain SQL-led transformation pipelines and Python orchestration.
• Review code, implement automated testing, Git workflows and CI/CD.

Skills

SQL

Python

Line management

Data modeling

Cloud infrastructure

Deployment automation

Tools

Git

CI/CD

Job description

Lead Data Engineer | Build and Lead the Function Salary: Up to £90,000 Location: London | Four days per week in the office Ref: J13197A scaling AI-powered SaaS business is looking for a Lead Data Engineer to build and lead its Data Engineering function, shaping the team, setting the standards and creating the foundations for its next stage of growth. You'll have real ownership and a direct influence on how the business builds and delivers its data products. From improving engineering practices to delivering critical pipelines, you'll see the results of your work in live products and the value they create for customers. Working closely with technical and product leaders, you'll develop engineers, bring structure to delivery and stay hands‑on with the most complex technical challenges. It's an opportunity to build a function you can be proud of, with strong engineering principles at its core.

What you'll own:

• Engineering standards, tooling and ways of working.
• Line management, mentoring and future recruitment.
• SQL‑led transformation pipelines and Python orchestration.
• Code review, automated testing, Git workflows and CI/CD.
• Data modelling, deployment controls and production reliability.
• Integration of AI outputs into production data pipelines.
• Practical adoption of AI engineering tools, supported by validation and quality controls.

What you'll bring:

• Experience building a Data Engineering function or significantly improving an existing team's practices.
• Proven line‑management experience and a track record of developing engineers.
• Strong hands‑on SQL and Python skills.
• Solid experience in data modelling, cloud infrastructure and deployment automation.
• The judgement to balance delivery demands with maintainability and technical quality.

This would suit a Lead Data Engineer or hands‑on Data Engineering Manager who has raised engineering standards, developed people and made delivery more reliable.