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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
153
Salary range
£40k – £100k
Hiring companies
81
View 153 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 584 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility
16% of listings advertise a salary — up from 0% the year before.
By seniority
£k base
Entry
28
41
6 jobs
Junior
30
56
19 jobs
Mid
40
85
177 jobs
Senior
50
100
183 jobs
Lead
54
118
65 jobs
Director
95
126
5 jobs
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 389 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Python
68%
SQL
67%
Data Modelling
37%
AWS
32%
Data Pipelines
32%
Azure
31%
ETL
30%
Data Governance
29%
CI/CD
27%
Databricks
21%
Data Warehousing
20%
Power BI
19%
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

153 live roles

See all 153 roles →

Data Engineer

This role involves designing and building scalable data pipelines, developing AI and ML solutions, and integrating data from multiple sources. You'll work on large-scale transformation projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure data quality and governance.

Tenth Revolution Group Manchester, United Kingdom £40,000 – £55,000 pa

Data Engineer - Alation and Profisee - 6 months

This role involves leading the end-to-end implementation and rollout of Alation and Profisee in a large enterprise environment, focusing on metadata management, master data management (MDM), and data governance. The engineer will provide technical oversight, manage vendor relationships, and collaborate with stakeholders in an Agile delivery setting. The position requires experience in enterprise data platforms and operates within a hybrid working model in London.

CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler London, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £340 – £385 pd
Contract

Data Engineer / GCP / LookML / BigQuery

Build and maintain data pipelines within a newly adopted GCP stack, focusing on BigQuery and Looker for reporting and analytics. Collaborate with a growing data engineering team to deliver scalable data solutions across an ecommerce business. Work in a hybrid setup with a strong emphasis on SQL, LookML, and cloud-based data infrastructure.

TRIA London, United Kingdom £525 – £575 pd
Hybrid Contract

Data Engineer - PING Engineer

This role involves transforming business questions into trusted data insights by building and maintaining dashboards, reports, and data pipelines within a newly cloud-based environment. The individual will contribute to shaping an Azure Lakehouse rebuild from the ground up, working closely with modern cloud systems including Azure and cloud ERP/CRM platforms. The position bridges data analysis and engineering, focusing on robust data solutions that support business operations.

Interface Recruitment Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Data Engineer (AWS) - Manchester

This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining robust data pipelines and ETL processes using AWS services. You will contribute to cloud migration, implement architectural solutions, and ensure data quality and integrity while providing technical guidance to junior team members.

Noir Manchester, United Kingdom £45,000 – £65,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Data Engineer - SC Cleared

This role involves designing and building data-intensive applications and pipelines for Defence and financial services, working on technically challenging problems and collaborating with a team of experienced engineers. The position requires strong programming skills in Python, SQL, Spark, and Databricks, with a focus on data quality and reliability.

Searchability Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom £65,000 – £105,000 pa

Data Engineer DV Cleared

Design and build secure, production-grade data platforms and pipelines within cloud environments for national security and defence programmes. Work with high-volume, operational systems using modern distributed architectures, integrating diverse data sources and ensuring resilience at scale. Collaborate closely with engineering teams on mission-critical platforms where technical ownership and reliability are paramount.

Datatech United Kingdom
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Data Engineer - Warrington

This role involves building, integrating, and transforming data to support business intelligence and strategic growth. You will work closely with the Finance Team, Commercial Analysts, and the Technology function to develop data pipelines, maintain data quality, and support the migration to modern cloud-based data platforms like Databricks and ThoughtSpot.

Circle Recruitment Warrington, United Kingdom £50,000 – £55,000 pa
See all 153 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
43 open

Manchester

Location
14 open

Leeds

Location
8 open

Oxford

Location
8 open

Birmingham

Location
7 open

Bristol

Location
5 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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