Lead Data Platform Engineer

LEAD DATA PLATFORM ENGINEER

INTRO

We are easyJet – a FTSE listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours - we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

READ ON IF YOU

• Have extensive experience designing and delivering scalable data platforms, engineering frameworks and automation tooling.
• Enjoy leading engineering teams while remaining hands-on with modern data technologies and AI-driven development.
• Have strong expertise in Python, Databricks, dbt Core, CI/CD, cloud technologies and data platform engineering best practice.
• Thrive on solving complex problems, improving developer experience and driving engineering excellence at scale.
• Can be in our fantastic Luton head office 3 x per week.

THE TEAM

Our Data Engineering team is at the heart of easyJet's digital and data transformation. We build the platforms, tooling and frameworks that enable engineering teams across the business to deliver high-quality, scalable and reliable data products. Working closely with engineers, architects and stakeholders, the team drives innovation, standardisation and automation to improve the way we build and operate data solutions across easyJet.

THE ROLE

As Lead Data Platform Engineer, you will combine deep technical expertise with inspiring leadership to shape the future of data engineering at easyJet. You'll lead a small team focused on enhancing developer productivity through automation, standardised frameworks and AI-enabled development practices while championing best-in-class engineering standards across the organisation.

Key responsibilities include\:

• Designing, building and maintaining scalable data engineering frameworks and platform utilities.
• Creating reusable patterns, templates and standards that improve consistency and reduce duplication across engineering teams.
• Delivering CI/CD pipelines and automation solutions that accelerate engineering delivery.
• Leading the easyJet deployment of dbt Core, ensuring platform health, stability and continuous improvement.
• Driving adoption of platform tooling through enablement, documentation and hands-on support.
• Acting as a trusted technical leader and line manager for a team of Data Engineers.
• Championing engineering standards, code quality, automation and AI-assisted development practices.
• Ensuring platform solutions meet security, compliance and operational requirements.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• Proven experience leading engineers and driving technical excellence within data engineering environments.
• Expert-level Python skills and experience building reusable frameworks, tooling and automation solutions.
• Strong knowledge of Databricks, Delta Lake, Lakehouse architectures, Apache Spark and SQL.
• Hands-on experience with dbt Core and managing enterprise-scale deployments.
• Proven experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure-as-code solutions.
• Experience implementing AI tooling into engineering workflows, including GitHub Copilot or similar technologies.
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, testing practices and code review standards.
• Experience working with cloud platforms, ideally AWS, alongside Terraform and modern security practices.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• A passion for technology, innovation and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU'LL GET IN RETURN

• Up to 20% maximum bonus.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• 7% pension contributions.
• Excellent staff travel benefits.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday.
• Various flexible benefits and extras.

PRACTICALITIES

This full-time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and we spend 60% of our time per month in the office.

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.