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Data Engineer Jobs

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

Open roles
173
Salary range
£30k – £240k
Hiring companies
97
View 173 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

£30k – £240k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 293 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Entry
30
38
1 job
Junior
30
45
8 jobs
Mid
30
113
113 jobs
Senior
44
240
96 jobs
Lead
40
240
37 jobs
Director
95
130
4 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 220 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

SQL
70%
Python
70%
AWS
34%
Azure
32%
Data Modelling
31%
Data Pipelines
27%
CI/CD
26%
Data Governance
26%
ETL
25%
Databricks
23%
PySpark
19%
Data Warehousing
18%
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

173 live roles

See all 173 roles →
ARM logo

Data Engineer

This role involves working as a Data Engineer for ARM, focusing on Azure Native Components like Azure SQL and Azure Data Factory. You will also ensure compliance with Government 'Secure by Design' initiatives and communicate technical knowledge clearly to various stakeholders.

ARM Birmingham, West Midlands (county), United Kingdom £585 – £625 pd
Hybrid Contract Clearance Required

Data Engineer

This role involves working on-site with a customer-based team to develop new features, support requests, and maintain Geo analytics pipelines. Responsibilities include writing clean, secure code, participating in agile ceremonies, and collaborating with the technical lead and scrum team.

Copello Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom £600 – £640 pd
On-site Contract Clearance Required

Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and platform infrastructure for critical NHS digital programmes. You will work closely with clinical and technical stakeholders to ensure data reliability, security, and quality, with a focus on Python, PySpark, Power BI, and AWS.

Brio Digital Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom £500 pd
Hybrid Contract Clearance Required

Data Engineer

This role involves designing and implementing scalable data pipelines, optimizing databases, and ensuring data quality and compliance. You will collaborate closely with data scientists and analysts to deliver high-quality data for analytics and reporting, while also contributing to technical decision-making and best practices in data engineering.

Sanderson Surrey, United Kingdom £40,000 – £70,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Data Engineer

The role involves building and maintaining scalable data pipelines using Apache Spark and Airflow within a cloud-based, containerised environment powered by Kubernetes. The engineer will support both batch and streaming workloads as part of a broader data platform modernisation initiative. The position blends hands-on development with integration across distributed systems in a hybrid working setup.

Huxley Associates London, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £500 ph
Hybrid Contract

Data Engineer

Engineer - Watford, £50,000 - £60,000 + PackageAre you a Service Engineer with a passion for both data and software, backed by an electric or electronics background? If so, we have an exciting opportunity with a forward-thinking technology solutions provider...

CD Recruitment Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom £50,000 – £65,000 pa

Data Engineer

This Data Engineer role involves stabilising and enhancing existing data pipelines, troubleshooting ETL processes, and supporting cloud migration activities. You will work across a hybrid on-premise and Azure-based data platform, collaborating with analytics teams to ensure data reliability and performance.

VIQU IT Cardiff, South Glamorgan, CF10 2AF, United Kingdom £300 – £325 pd
Hybrid Contract Flexible

Data Engineer

The Senior Data Engineer designs and delivers high-quality data engineering solutions, focusing on building reliable data pipelines, centralising transformation logic, and supporting enterprise analytics platforms like Palantir. They work across cloud environments (AWS and Azure) and collaborate with data architects to ensure alignment between tactical and strategic initiatives.

Qualient Technology Solutions UK Limited London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent Clearance Required
See all 173 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring data engineers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

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

London

Location
50 open

Manchester

Location
11 open

Birmingham

Location
7 open

Leeds

Location
6 open

Bristol

Location
3 open

Newcastle

Location
3 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.

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