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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 →

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves building and modernising a data engineering platform using Microsoft Fabric and Azure, with a focus on code-led development, reusable patterns, and data quality. The engineer will work hands-on with PySpark, Delta Lake, and medallion architecture, while influencing technical standards and best practices. The team is transitioning from legacy systems toward AI and generative AI applications, offering technical leadership opportunities in a growing data environment.

SF Partners St Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom £70,000 – £80,000 pa

Senior Data Engineer (AWS) - Manchester

This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining robust data pipelines and ETL processes using AWS services. You will spearhead the evolution of the company's data infrastructure, develop real-time data solutions, and provide technical guidance to junior team members.

Noir Manchester, United Kingdom £60,000 – £80,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Principal Data Engineer (GCP)

This role involves leading the design and evolution of a cloud-based data platform on Google Cloud, with a focus on building scalable data pipelines, mentoring engineers, and establishing best practices in data engineering. The Principal Data Engineer will drive technical standards, automation, and CI/CD adoption while ensuring compliance, data quality, and security across systems. It's a leadership position within a socially driven organisation transitioning fully to the cloud.

VIQU IT Recruitment Preston, United Kingdom £90,000 – £100,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Clearance Required

Senior Data Engineer

This Senior Data Engineer role involves designing and building end-to-end data platforms from scratch for major capital projects, focusing on reliable, traceable reporting. You'll ingest and model messy, heterogeneous data sources—including APIs, spreadsheets, and PDFs—into trusted Azure-based pipelines, with strong emphasis on data validation, lineage, and reconciliation. The role requires close collaboration with non-technical stakeholders such as planners and project managers to deliver accurate board-level insights.

Rise Technical Recruitment Manchester, United Kingdom £80,000 – £90,000 pa

Junior Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and scaling data platforms and pipelines that support customer-facing insurance products. The engineer will own data solutions end-to-end, integrate third-party data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams including Product, Analytics, and Data Science. It's a high-impact position offering early responsibility and influence over data architecture in a sustainability-focused InsurTech environment.

Harnham - Data and Analytics Recruitment London, United Kingdom £35,000 – £45,000 pa

Lead Data Engineer (Azure)

This role involves leading the design and implementation of a modern cloud-based data platform using Microsoft Fabric and Azure technologies, with a focus on building scalable data pipelines using Medallion architecture. The engineer will establish data engineering standards, mentor a growing team, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver data solutions that power analytics and AI initiatives. It's a key position within a major data transformation programme at a high-profile cultural organisation.

Harnham - Data and Analytics Recruitment London, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and operating high-quality data pipelines end-to-end, leading on data modelling, and working closely with business analysts and engineers. You'll be part of a growing team modernising a legacy estate onto a modern Event Sourcing Architecture, with a focus on security and data protection.

Oliver James London, United Kingdom £550 pd
Hybrid Contract

VP Data Engineer

This role involves building and enhancing scalable data pipelines and infrastructure using Snowflake, AWS, Python, and SQL. You will work closely with Market Data, Quant, and Risk teams to support market risk analytics, VaR, and stress testing, ensuring data solutions are reliable and auditable.

McGregor Boyall London, United Kingdom £150,000 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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