Future Tech Jobs Future Tech Jobs

Data Engineer Jobs

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

Open roles
172
Salary range
£40k – £100k
Hiring companies
105
View 172 live roles → Get an alert

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

£40k – £100k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 443 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
12% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Entry
27
36
5 jobs
Junior
30
45
11 jobs
Mid
40
85
172 jobs
Senior
50
100
139 jobs
Lead
40
110
51 jobs
Director
95
126
5 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 397 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
69%
SQL
68%
Data Modelling
37%
Data Pipelines
33%
AWS
32%
Azure
31%
ETL
30%
Data Governance
28%
CI/CD
26%
Databricks
22%
Data Warehousing
20%
Power BI
20%
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

172 live roles

See all 172 roles →

Quantexa Data Engineers (Mid-Level through to Lead)

Design and implement data pipelines within the Quantexa platform, focusing on data ingestion, transformation, and contextual modelling. Work closely with architects and client stakeholders to build scalable solutions for complex business problems using Spark, Scala, and cloud-integrated enterprise architectures.

Akkodis London, United Kingdom £55,000 – £85,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

IT Data & Platform Engineer

Design, build, and maintain scalable data platform solutions including data pipelines, data lakes, and analytics architectures using Python, PySpark, and SQL. Collaborate with technical teams and business stakeholders within an Agile environment to deliver high-quality, secure data systems. Work with modern cloud platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, or Snowflake to support enterprise reporting and decision-making.

Fawkes & Reece London London, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £60,000 – £70,000 pa

Lead Data Integration Engineer

The Lead Data Integration Engineer will lead the discovery and integration of fragmented enterprise data sources into a scalable, trusted data model. This hands-on role involves designing and building ETL/ELT pipelines, developing data models on Snowflake or equivalent platforms, and working closely with business stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions. The role emphasizes data quality, automation, and engineering best practices within a hybrid working environment.

Pontoon Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom £600 – £650 pd
Hybrid Contract

IT Data & Platform Engineer

Design and maintain data pipelines, lakehouses, and data warehouses within Microsoft Fabric using PySpark, Python, T-SQL, and DAX. Employ Infrastructure as Code, Git, and Azure DevOps for scalable, secure data platforms while ensuring data quality and compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance analytics and business intelligence through innovative engineering solutions.

Frontpoint Partners Ltd Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB, United Kingdom £70,000 – £80,000 pa

Lead Data Architect / Lead Data Engineer - Azure Databricks | Energy Trading

Lead the design and technical implementation of a modern Azure Databricks Lakehouse platform within a major Energy & Utilities transformation programme. Drive best practices in scalable data engineering, building robust Spark and Delta Lake pipelines for both streaming and batch workloads while mentoring engineers and shaping future-state data architecture.

Broster Buchanan Wc2N5Du, WC2N 5DU, United Kingdom £600 – £675 pd
Remote Contract
Experis logo

DV Cleared Data Engineer

Design and maintain secure, scalable data pipelines and platforms in a classified government environment. Work with batch and streaming data using Python, SQL, and Elasticsearch, within Agile delivery frameworks. Support intelligence operations through robust data engineering and modern architecture on cloud and on-premise systems.

Experis Bath, Somerset, TA7 8PH, United Kingdom £400 – £500 pd
On-site Contract Clearance Required

Senior AWS Data Engineer

Senior AWS Data Engineer (Fixed Term Contract)When registering to this job board you will be redirected to the online application form. Please ensure that this is completed in full in order that your application can be reviewed.We’re looking for a...

Microlise Langley Mill, Derbyshire, NG16 4BS, United Kingdom £55,000 pa
Contract

SC Cleared Data Engineer

This role involves designing and managing scalable data pipelines, focusing on data acquisition, preparation, and secure delivery within a government-cleared environment. The engineer will work across the full delivery lifecycle using modern data platforms and cloud technologies, primarily in AWS, while supporting data modernisation initiatives. Collaboration, knowledge sharing, and client-facing consultancy are key aspects of the position.

Agilis Recruitment Digbeth, West Midlands (county), B5 5NJ, United Kingdom £50,000 – £70,000 pa
On-site Permanent Clearance Required
See all 172 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring data engineers

See all companies →
Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
58 open

Manchester

Location
11 open

Birmingham

Location
4 open

Leeds

Location
4 open

Milton Keynes

Location
3 open

Southampton

Location
2 open
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.

Hiring data engineers?

Post your role in 90 seconds and reach the specialist audience that already reads this page.

Post a job → See pricing

🍪 Basic, anonymous analytics (aggregate counts only, never shared) are always on. Accept to also enable third-party tools — Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Mixpanel, Leadfeeder — which help us match you with relevant Data Engineering roles. We never sell your data or use it for cross-site advertising. See our Cookie Policy.