Head of Data Engineering

Head of Data Engineering

UK-based | Remote first (quarterly on-site in Reading)

£110,000 – £140,000 + benefits

We’re working with a well-established UK technology business that sits at the intersection of data, property and decision-making. Data is core to how the organisation operates, and they’re now looking for a Head of Data Engineering to take full ownership of their data platforms and engineering capability.

This role is about depth as much as leadership. You’ll set the technical direction, stay close to the architecture, and build an environment where data engineers can do their best work, while ensuring platforms are reliable, scalable and commercially sound.

What you’ll be responsible for

• Owning the design and evolution of enterprise-scale data platforms and pipelines
• Setting engineering standards and acting as the senior technical authority for data engineering
• Leading and developing a team of experienced data engineers
• Ensuring operational excellence: availability, performance, cost control and incident management
• Partnering closely with product, software engineering, architecture, data science and security teams
• Making pragmatic architectural decisions that balance modern engineering practices with resilience and governance

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience leading data engineering teams while remaining technically hands-on
• Strong background designing and operating large-scale data platforms
• Deep experience within the Azure data ecosystem
• Excellent SQL and Python skills in production environments
• Experience with modern ETL/ELT patterns, CI/CD and infrastructure as code
• A pragmatic, commercially aware mindset. You understand why the platform exists, not just how

Working model

This is a remote-first role within the UK, with an expectation to be on-site once per quarter for planning and collaboration.

Eligibility

Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK, as sponsorship is not available for this position.

If you’re a senior data engineering leader who still enjoys being close to the technology and wants real ownership rather than oversight, this is a role worth exploring.