Senior Engineer - Data

ZipRecruiter; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading SaaS company as a Senior Engineer - Data, where you will be instrumental in building scalable data and search systems. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with advanced technologies like AI-driven data pipelines, while collaborating in a supportive team culture that values innovation and technical excellence.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge tools

Culture promoting innovation and learning

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Java development with exposure to Python.
• Hands-on knowledge of Apache Lucene, Solr, or Elasticsearch.
• Experience in large-scale data processing and building search functionality.

Responsibilities

• Design and build high-performance data pipelines and search capabilities.
• Develop solutions using Apache Lucene, Solr, or Elasticsearch.
• Implement scalable, test-driven code in Java and Python.

Skills

Java

Python

Apache Lucene

Solr

Elasticsearch

SQL

NoSQL

Agile

DevOps

CI/CD

Job description

Job Description

Senior Engineer - Data – Leading SaaS Business

Full-time · Permanent · Remote/Hybrid (Glasgow-based office)

A leading SaaS business at the forefront of digital transformation is seeking an experienced Senior Engineer - Data to join its growing data team. As the company scales its next- platform, data is central to delivering fast, accurate, and intelligent user experiences. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in shaping a modern data and search infrastructure using cutting-edge technologies.

About the Role

You’ll be part of an agile, cross-functional team building a powerful data platform and intelligent search engine. Working with technologies like Apache Lucene, Solr, and Elasticsearch, you'll contribute to the design and development of scalable systems, with opportunities to explore machine learning, AI-driven categorisation models, and vector search.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and build high-performance data pipelines and search capabilities.
• Develop solutions using Apache Lucene, Solr, or Elasticsearch.
• Implement scalable, test-driven code in Java and Python.
• Work collaboratively with Business Analysts, Data Engineers, and UI Developers.
• Contribute across the stack – from React/TypeScript front end to Java-based backend services.
• Leverage cloud infrastructure including Azure Data Factory, Batch Services, and Azure SQL.
• Participate in code reviews, DevOps practices, and system performance tuning.

Current Projects

The team is focused on enhancing how supplier catalogue data supports next- search features—helping users discover the right products more efficiently. This year’s roadmap includes:

• AI-powered product categorisation.
• Vector search using proprietary, market-leading data sets.
• Continuous improvements to how data is processed, stored, and presented.

Your Profile

• Strong experience in Java development, with some exposure to Python.
• Hands-on knowledge of Apache Lucene, Solr, or Elasticsearch (or willingness to learn).
• Experience in large-scale data processing and building search functionality.
• Skilled with SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Comfortable working in Agile environments and following DevOps and CI/CD practices.
• Committed to writing maintainable, well-tested code.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication, including the ability to write technical documentation.
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and contribute to a collaborative team environment.

Why this role?

• Be part of a forward-thinking, technically strong team.
• Work on impactful projects using modern data, search, and ML/AI technologies.
• Join a culture that promotes innovation, learning, and cross-functional collaboration.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge tools in a fast-paced SaaS environment.
• Contribute to a platform trusted by leading organisations in the life sciences sector.

Location & Flexibility

This role can be based remotely or hybrid.

• Remote: Must be willing to travel to the Glasgow office at least once per quarter.
• Hybrid: Minimum one day per week in the Glasgow office

If you're passionate about scalable data engineering, intelligent search technologies, and making a real impact—let's talk.