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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 →

Fabric Data Engineer

Design and build scalable data pipelines and platforms using modern cloud technologies, focusing on Microsoft Fabric and Delta Lake. Establish data best practices and deliver production-ready datasets to support enterprise analytics and strategic decision-making within a growing data team.

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

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves designing and building scalable data pipelines on Azure and Databricks, using Delta Lake and Medallion architecture. You'll own data models across multiple layers, implement CI/CD via Azure DevOps, and support integration with Microsoft Fabric and OneLake. The position emphasizes technical leadership, engineering best practices, and end-to-end ownership of a modern data platform.

Head Resourcing Glasgow, City Of Glasgow, G2 1AL, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa

Senior Data Engineer

Design and build scalable data pipelines using Databricks, PySpark, and Delta Lake while shaping enterprise data architecture and enabling self-service data access across departments. Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to solve business challenges and mentor junior engineers in a growing data team. Work in a high-impact role with ownership over platform strategy and data governance.

hireful London, United Kingdom £75,000 – £85,000 pa

Senior Data Engineer

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will design and build modern machine learning and AI services, develop and optimize data pipelines, and integrate data from varied sources. You will work collaboratively in multi-functional agile squads, maintain data components, and promote high coding and data practice standards.

Ageas Insurance Limited Eastleigh, Hampshire, United Kingdom £70,000 – £85,000 pa

Lead Data Engineer

Lead a team of data professionals in designing and building modern data platforms using Microsoft Fabric and Azure technologies. Drive technical architecture, data governance, and end-to-end delivery of critical data pipelines while mentoring engineers and shaping strategic data initiatives. Work in a hybrid setup with strong emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.

ITSS Recruitment Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom £70,000 – £85,000 pa

Contract Data Engineer

Design and build scalable data solutions to migrate a legacy SQL-based data warehouse to a modern cloud-native AWS platform. Develop and optimise ETL/ELT pipelines using Python and SQL, and help establish a strategic source of truth for analytics. Work in a hybrid setup with one day per week onsite north of Leeds.

Corecom Consulting United Kingdom £475 – £525 pd

Database / Data Engineer

This role involves deep technical work on database performance, scalability, and data architecture within a real-time, high-volume environment. You'll optimise PostgreSQL, tune query performance, design efficient data access patterns, and guide the use of Redis and DynamoDB across a distributed system. The position offers ownership of database strategy and the chance to shape long-term data engineering practices in a growing tech platform.

Avanti Recruitment United Kingdom £45,000 – £55,000 pa

GCP Data Engineer

A Senior Lead Data Engineer is needed to lead multidisciplinary feature teams in Bristol or Manchester, delivering end-to-end data products on Google Cloud Platform. The role involves designing real-time data patterns, leading MDM strategy and implementation, and ensuring robust data architecture, DevOps, and governance practices. Candidates must have expert-level GCP, dbt, Python, and SQL skills with proven experience in AI-enabled data development and full lifecycle delivery.

PRACYVA United Kingdom £450 – £500 pd
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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