Lead Data Engineer
Summary
Hands-on leadership role designing and optimizing Microsoft Fabric data pipelines and SQL models to modernize architecture (Bronze to Gold) and mentor engineers.
Lead Data Engineer
Hybrid Working - 2-4 day per month in the office (East London / Essex)
Salary to £75k
A Lead Data Engineer is required for a transformational role. With Fabric already in place, the focus is now on maturing the data architectural environment from Bronze through to Gold over the next 1218 monthsimproving architecture, data quality, and overall platform capability.
This is a hands-on leadership role, acting as the senior technical escalation point while helping shape best practice, refine existing pipelines, and drive data modernisation across a complex data landscape. This is more of a Technical Leadership than people Leadership role, though the director would be happy for someone inclined towards both or that wants to add on the people in time.
Key Responsibilities
Design, build and optimise scalable data pipelines within Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Data Engineering, Data Warehouse, Data Integration)
Refine and enhance existing pipelines and architecture to align with best practice
Lead the transition of the platform from Bronze to Gold standard
Develop and fine-tune complex SQL queries, transformations, and data models
Support and troubleshoot data issues impacting reporting (e.g. Power BI refresh failures)
Take ownership of data quality, governance, and platform reliability
Act as the technical escalation point for a team of Data Engineers
Lead, mentor, and support a small team (3 engineers) - negotiable if youd prefer to remain technically oriented.
Work across multiple data sources (enterprise systems and bespoke applications) feeding into a Lakehouse
Engage stakeholders across the business to improve data quality and consistency
Required Experience
Strong hands-on SQL expertise, including performance tuning
Proven experience with Microsoft Fabric and Synapse (design, architecture, implementation)
Experience working with Lakehouse architecture and multiple data sources
Demonstrable experience modernising data platforms (e.g. Bronze ? Gold maturity) or consolidating data into a central platform
Strong understanding of data engineering principles, governance, and data quality
Experience delivering and supporting production-grade data solutions
Ability to act as a senior technical escalation point and lead delivery
Strong stakeholder engagement skills, particularly around data quality challenges
Microsoft certifications (e.g. DP-600, DP-900)
Desirable Skills
Experience managing or mentoring engineers (or readiness to step into leadership
Exposure to DevOps / CI-CD practices within data engineering
Experience in complex or enterprise environments
Interviews are planned for Aug / Sep. Please apply today for an immediate CV review.
Kinetech is acting as a recruiter in relation to this hire. Please see our website for details on how we handle your data.
TPBN1_UKTJ