Senior Data Engineer

KDR Talent Solutions; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering medical technology company seeks a Senior Data Engineer to architect and lead a scalable Databricks Lakehouse platform on AWS. You will be integral in transforming how data is leveraged from robotics and R&D, requiring deep expertise in Databricks, AWS, and data engineering principles. This greenfield opportunity allows you to solve complex data challenges with a dedicated team, contributing to a mission that improves surgical outcomes worldwide. Flexible hybrid working and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible hybrid working

Career-defining project

Qualifications

• Proven experience with Databricks and Delta Lake.
• Strong expertise in AWS (e.g. S3, IAM).
• Expert-level Python and SQL skills.
• A strong understanding of data modelling principles.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead the design of a Databricks Lakehouse platform.
• Build and optimise robust ELT/ETL pipelines using Python and Spark.
• Work with complex datasets from IoT-enabled systems.
• Establish best data models and governance standards.
• Mentor other engineers to develop Databricks capabilities.

Skills

Databricks expertise

AWS data ecosystem knowledge

Python

SQL

Data modelling principles

Job description

Role:

Senior Data Engineer (Databricks / AWS / Lakehouse)

Location:

Cambridge, UK (Flexible Hybrid Working)

Salary:

£70,000 - £90,000 basic + Comprehensive Benefits Package

Are you a Data Engineer who wants to build systems that truly matter? Are you an expert in Databricks, looking for a challenge beyond just operating an existing platform?

I'm hiring for a pioneering, mission-driven company in the medical technology sector. They are fundamentally changing the future of surgery by developing next-generation robotic systems to make minimally invasive procedures more accessible and effective.

This is not a maintenance role. We are looking for a Databricks expert to be the key technical authority for a business-critical transformation. Your mission will be to architect, build, and lead the company on its journey to a modern Databricks Lakehouse architecture, transforming how they leverage data from robotics, manufacturing, and R&D.

What You'll Actually Do:

• Architect and lead the greenfield design and implementation of a scalable, company-wide Databricks Lakehouse platform on AWS.
• Be the hands-on technical expert, building and optimising robust ELT/ETL pipelines using Python, Spark, and Databricks (e.g., Delta Live Tables, Databricks Workflows).
• Work with unique, complex, and high-volume datasets from IoT-enabled robotic systems, manufacturing lines, and core business functions.
• Partner with data scientists and BI teams to establish best-in-class data models, governance, and data quality standards within Delta Lake.
• Evangelise the benefits of the Lakehouse across the organisation, championing best practices and mentoring other engineers to build their Databricks capability.
• Own the data platform's roadmap, ensuring it is scalable, reliable, and secure as the company grows.

What You'll Need:

• Proven, deep commercial experience with Databricks. You must have hands-on expertise with Delta Lake and the Lakehouse paradigm.
• Strong expertise in the AWS data ecosystem (e.g., S3, AWS Glue, Kinesis, IAM) and a deep understanding of how to build, secure, and optimise a Databricks platform within it.
• Expert-level Python and SQL skills, specifically for data engineering and optimisation.
• A "builder" and "leader" mindset: You have experience taking an organisation on a data transformation journey, not just maintaining an existing system.
• A strong understanding of data modelling principles (e.g., Kimball, Inmon) and how to apply them within a Lakehouse architecture.
• A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

What's In It For You?

What's in it for you is a truly career-defining project. This is a greenfield opportunity to own a critical transformation, establishing you as the go-to expert building a platform from the ground up and gaining incredible strategic experience. This work supports a tangible mission, offering a rare chance to apply your data skills to a product that is transforming surgery and improving patient outcomes globally.

You will tackle unique technical challenges, solving complex data problems at scale that you won't find anywhere else by working with real-world IoT and robotic data. You'll do this alongside a world-class team of passionate, intelligent, and humble engineers, data scientists, and robotics experts. The company supports this with a genuine commitment to work-life balance, including flexible and hybrid working, all backed by a comprehensive salary and benefits package designed to attract top talent (details available on application).

Interested?

If you are the Databricks and AWS expert we're looking for, apply now to find out more about this unique opportunity.