Data Engineer Jobs

The backbone of modern data infrastructure. Building, maintaining, and optimising the pipelines that power data-driven decisions.

Open roles
220
Salary range
£30k – £150k
Hiring companies
114

Data Engineers are the architects and builders of the data infrastructure that underpins modern businesses. They design, build, and maintain the data pipelines, warehouses, and lakes that enable organisations to store, process, and analyse vast amounts of data. Whether working in scaleups, research-heavy startups, or the larger consultancies, Data Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that data is accessible, reliable, and secure.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Data Engineer

A typical week for a Data Engineer is a mix of coding, testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Design and implement data pipelines using tools like Apache Kafka and Apache Spark.
  2. 02
    Optimise data storage and retrieval processes for efficiency and scalability.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with data scientists and analysts to understand their data needs.
  4. 04
    Monitor and maintain data infrastructure to ensure high availability and performance.
  5. 05
    Document and communicate data architecture and processes to stakeholders.
  6. 06
    Troubleshoot and resolve data-related issues as they arise.
Salary on the board

£30k – £150k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 152 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Entry
30
38
1 job
Junior
35
45
4 jobs
Mid
35
113
57 jobs
Senior
40
100
42 jobs
Lead
40
150
22 jobs
Director
130
130
1 job
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 1 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

SQL
100%
AWS
100%
ETL/ELT
100%
Data Warehousing
100%
Orchestration
100%
Python
100%
Docker
100%
S3
100%
GraphQL
100%
REST
100%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for data engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Data Engineer

    0–2 yrs

    Assists in building and maintaining data pipelines, with a focus on learning and supporting more senior team members.

  2. Level 2

    Data Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Takes ownership of specific data pipelines and projects, ensuring they meet performance and reliability standards.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Data Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Leads the design and implementation of complex data infrastructure, mentoring junior engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Data Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Strategises and oversees the entire data infrastructure, driving innovation and best practices across the organisation.

Pathway

How to become a Data Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn the Basics

    Start with foundational skills in SQL, Python, and data storage systems. Gain experience with ETL processes and data warehousing.

  2. 2

    Build Pipelines

    Work on building and maintaining data pipelines using tools like Apache Kafka and Apache Spark. Focus on efficiency and scalability.

  3. 3

    Optimise Infrastructure

    Optimise data storage and retrieval processes to ensure high performance and reliability. Collaborate with data scientists and analysts.

  4. 4

    Lead Projects

    Take ownership of complex data infrastructure projects. Mentor junior engineers and ensure best practices are followed.

  5. 5

    Strategise and Innovate

    Strategise the overall data infrastructure, driving innovation and best practices. Oversee the implementation of new technologies and methodologies.

Live jobs

220 live roles

See all 220 roles
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment logo

AWS Data Engineer

This role involves designing and maintaining scalable data systems on AWS, including data ingestion pipelines, ML-ready datasets, and data warehouse optimization. You will work closely with Data Science, Engineering, and Product teams to support real-time decision making and commercial outcomes, with a focus on cost, performance, and reliability.

Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Manchester, United Kingdom £80,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment logo

Lead Data Engineer (Azure & Databricks)

This role involves leading the design, build, and optimization of a modern Azure Databricks Lakehouse platform. You will work closely with engineers and stakeholders to ensure the platform is scalable, secure, and reliable, while taking ownership of key data platform initiatives and driving technical excellence.

Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Leeds, United Kingdom £80,000 – £85,000 pa
Remote Permanent

Principal Data Engineer

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will lead the technical direction and architecture for a modern, domain-oriented Data Mesh on Google Cloud Platform. Your responsibilities include defining project approaches, designing scalable data pipelines, and mentoring senior engineers to maintain high standards. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the long-term engineering strategy and influence the Data Mesh journey in a 100% cloud-native environment.

VIQU IT Recruitment London, United Kingdom £80,000 – £95,000 pa
Remote Permanent

Senior Data Engineer - Insurance

This role involves designing and building scalable cloud-based data platforms using Medallion Architecture, engineering data pipelines with Python and PySpark, and integrating data from multiple sources. The position offers the opportunity to work on complex data challenges in the London insurance market, collaborating with data architects, modellers, and business stakeholders to deliver modern cloud solutions.

Tenth Revolution Group London, United Kingdom £75,000 – £95,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Fabric Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and maintaining scalable data pipelines within Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse environments. You will develop and optimize data ingestion and transformation workflows, support Power BI reporting, and ensure strong data quality and governance standards. As a senior member of the BI and data team, you will also mentor developers and guide development standards.

Tenth Revolution Group Oxford, United Kingdom £60,000 – £70,000 pa
Remote Permanent

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and maintaining scalable cloud-based data pipelines using Microsoft technologies like Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric. You will collaborate with data engineers, BI developers, analysts, and process engineers to ensure data solutions align with business goals and best practices, while also supporting the productionisation of machine learning models and large language models.

Robert Walters Cheshire, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Data and Power BI Engineer

This role involves designing and maintaining resilient data platforms using bronze, silver, and gold data modelling frameworks. You will build and manage ETL pipelines with Python, integrate data from Dynamics 365, and develop high-quality Power BI dashboards and paginated reports. The position offers the chance to influence standards and work on varied, technically engaging projects in a growing digital transformation environment.

Rise Technical Recruitment Spalding, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom £50,000 – £60,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

SAS Data Engineer

As a SAS Data Engineer, you will design, develop, and maintain SAS-based data solutions, support data acquisition and management, and work across the full software development lifecycle. You will collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, secure, and reliable data solutions for essential public services.

83zero Worthing, West Sussex, United Kingdom £60,000 – £70,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required
FAQs

Common questions

  • Data Engineers commonly use tools like Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, SQL, Python, and data warehousing solutions such as Amazon Redshift or Google BigQuery.

  • Collaboration with data scientists is crucial. Data Engineers need to understand the data needs of data scientists to build effective data pipelines and infrastructure.

  • Key skills include proficiency in SQL, Python, and data storage systems, as well as a strong understanding of ETL processes, data warehousing, and big data technologies.

  • The typical career progression is from Junior Data Engineer to Data Engineer, then Senior Data Engineer, and finally Principal Data Engineer, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.

  • For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page, which is updated with the latest data from live job listings.

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