Lead Data Engineer

Trust in SODA; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stake

Job summary

Trust in SODA is looking for a Lead Data Engineer to own the data architecture powering real‑time AI systems at scale. You will design scalable batch and real‑time pipelines, architect data systems for analytics and ML, and ensure end‑to‑end reliability in collaboration with AI, backend and product teams.

You will join early as a pivotal member, with huge ownership and an opportunity to influence data foundations of a high‑growth AI company, including meaningful equity.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data or backend engineering.
• Strong Python and distributed data systems experience.
• Hands-on experience with modern AI data stacks (vector databases).
• Startup mindset: ownership, speed, architectural thinking.

Responsibilities

• Design and build scalable batch and real‑time data pipelines.
• Architect data systems for analytics, ML workflows, and vector search.
• Own data reliability, performance, and governance end‑to‑end.
• Work closely with AI, backend, and product teams.
• Set standards and help build the future data engineering function.

Skills

Python

Distributed data systems

Data engineering

Startup mindset

Tools

Vector databases

Job description

Build the data backbone of a category‑defining AI platform.

We’re partnered with an early‑stage, venture‑backed AI startup transforming a large, traditional industry through automation. Their AI assistant is already live with real customers, managing tens of thousands of units, and they're now scaling fast toward revenue.

This is a rare opportunity to join early as the Lead Data Engineer and own the data architecture that powers real‑time AI systems at scale.

What you’ll do

• Design and build scalable batch and real‑time data pipelines
• Architect data systems for analytics, ML workflows, and vector search
• Own data reliability, performance, and governance end‑to‑end
• Work closely with AI, backend, and product teams
• Set standards and help build the future data engineering function

What we’re looking for

• 7+ years in data or backend engineering
• Strong Python and experience with distributed data systems
• Hands‑on experience with modern AI data stacks (e.g. vector databases)
• Startup mindset: ownership, speed, and architectural thinking
• Define the data foundations of a high‑growth AI company
• Huge ownership and influence from day one
• Competitive salary + meaningful equity
• Work directly with founders on a genuinely hard, high‑impact problem