Data Engineering Lead

GBS; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

GBS seeks a Data Engineering Lead to own the enterprise data platform on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric, guiding a multidisciplinary team to build scalable, secure, AI-ready data solutions.

You will establish DataOps, CI/CD and governance, ensuring production reliability, SLAs and compliant data handling while partnering with stakeholders to enable advanced analytics and BI.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, IS, Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in Data Engineering and Data Platform Development.
• 3+ years leading technical engineering teams.
• 3+ years hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure data services.
• Minimum 1 year hands-on production delivery using Fabric or migration to Fabric.
• Proven experience designing enterprise-scale cloud data platforms.
• Experience managing production environments, SLAs and disaster recovery.
• Experience supporting AI and real-time data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise data platform strategy and roadmap.
• Lead cloud architecture, implementation and migration to Azure and Fabric.
• Mentor Data Engineers, a Data Architect and Platform/DataOps Engineers.
• Oversee end-to-end data engineering delivery and production operations.
• Drive DataOps, CI/CD, automation and governance practices.
• Establish data governance, security and POPIA compliance standards.
• Build reliable batch and real-time data pipelines for AI and analytics.
• Manage platform performance and cloud costs.

Skills

Data leadership

Data engineering

Azure cloud

Data governance

CI/CD

POPIA compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering/Data Science

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Azure Synapse

Python

SQL

Spark

PySpark

ETL/ELT

Job description

Lead Innovation. Build Scalable Data Platforms. Power the Future of AI.

Are you an experienced Data Engineering Leader ready to drive enterprise-wide data transformation?

We're looking for a strategic, hands-on Data Engineering Lead to take ownership of our enterprise data platform across Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric.

Reporting to the Head of Data & AI Strategy, you'll lead a multidisciplinary engineering team, modernise our data ecosystem and build scalable, secure and AI-ready data solutions.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DRIVING

• Define and execute the enterprise data platform strategy and roadmap.
• Lead cloud architecture, implementation and migration to Azure and Microsoft Fabric.
• Manage and mentor Data Engineers, a Data Architect and Platform/DataOps Engineers.
• Oversee end-to-end data engineering delivery, production operations, SLAs and disaster recovery.
• Drive DataOps, CI/CD, automation, Medallion Architecture and modern engineering practices.
• Establish data governance, security, quality and POPIA compliance standards.
• Build reliable batch and real-time data pipelines supporting AI, advanced analytics and BI.
• Manage platform performance, cloud costs, vendors and strategic stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Data Science or a related field.
• 7+ years in Data Engineering and Data Platform Development.
• 3+ years leading technical engineering teams, including line management.
• 3+ years hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure data services.
• Minimum 1 year hands-on production delivery using Microsoft Fabric, or migration to Fabric.
• Proven experience designing enterprise-scale cloud data platforms.
• Experience managing production environments, SLAs, incidents and disaster recovery.
• Strong exposure to large-scale data transformation, DataOps, governance and security within regulated environments.
• Experience supporting AI, advanced analytics and real-time data solutions.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

• Microsoft Fabric: OneLake, Lakehouse, Warehouse, Data Factory, Real-Time Intelligence and Power BI.
• Azure: ADF, Synapse, Databricks, Azure SQL, Event Hubs, Azure DevOps and related cloud services.
• Engineering: Python, SQL, Spark, PySpark, ETL/ELT, API Integration and Streaming Pipelines.
• DataOps & Governance: Git, CI/CD, Terraform/Bicep, Microsoft Purview, Observability and Data Security.

Advantageous: A relevant postgraduate qualification and Microsoft certifications (DP-700, DP-600 or AZ-305).

READY TO ENGINEER WHAT'S NEXT?

If you combine strong technical expertise with strategic thinking, people leadership and a passion for building future-ready data platforms, we want to hear from you!

#NowHiring #DataEngineeringLead #MicrosoftFabric #Azure #DataLeadership #DataEngineering We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants from diverse backgrounds. Please note only candidates meeting the specified criteria will be considered.