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Senior Data Engineer Jobs

Experienced professionals who design, build, and maintain the data infrastructure that powers modern businesses. A critical role in ensuring data is accessible, reliable, and scalable.

Open roles
19
Salary range
£50k – £100k
Hiring companies
15
View 19 live roles → Get an alert

Senior Data Engineers are the backbone of data infrastructure in organisations. They design, build, and maintain the systems that enable data to be collected, processed, and stored efficiently. These professionals work closely with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure that data is accessible and reliable. They are responsible for creating robust data pipelines, optimising data warehousing solutions, and implementing DataOps practices to streamline data operations. Whether in scaleups, research-heavy startups, or the larger consultancies, Senior Data Engineers play a crucial role in driving data-driven decision-making.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Senior Data Engineer

A typical week for a Senior Data Engineer is a mix of hands-on technical work and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Design and implement data pipelines for ETL/ELT processes.
  2. 02
    Optimise data warehousing solutions for performance and scalability.
  3. 03
    Collaborate with data scientists and analysts to understand data requirements.
  4. 04
    Monitor and maintain data infrastructure to ensure reliability and security.
  5. 05
    Document and communicate data architecture and processes.
  6. 06
    Stay updated with the latest data engineering tools and technologies.
Salary on the board

£50k – £100k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 25 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Senior
50
100
25 jobs
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for senior 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 the design and implementation of data pipelines and basic data warehousing solutions.

  2. Level 2

    Data Engineer

    2–5 yrs

    Takes ownership of specific data pipelines and contributes to the overall data infrastructure design.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Data Engineer

    5–8 yrs

    Leads the design and implementation of complex data infrastructure, ensuring scalability and reliability.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Data Engineer

    8+ yrs

    Strategic leader in data infrastructure, driving innovation and best practices across the organisation.

Pathway

How to become a Senior Data Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn the Fundamentals

    Start with a strong foundation in data engineering principles, including ETL/ELT processes, data warehousing, and SQL.

  2. 2

    Gain Practical Experience

    Work on real-world projects to build and maintain data pipelines, and collaborate with data scientists and analysts.

  3. 3

    Specialise in Advanced Topics

    Deepen your expertise in areas like big data processing, DataOps, and cloud data infrastructure.

  4. 4

    Lead Projects and Teams

    Take on leadership roles, managing data engineering projects and mentoring junior team members.

  5. 5

    Drive Strategic Initiatives

    Influence the organisation's data strategy, driving innovation and best practices in data infrastructure.

  6. 6

    Become a Thought Leader

    Contribute to the broader data engineering community through speaking engagements, writing, and open-source contributions.

Live jobs

19 live roles

See all 19 roles →
RSM logo

Senior Data Engineer

The Senior Data Engineer / Analytics Lead will establish and lead the data engineering and analytics capability within RSM's Forensic Technology team. Responsibilities include designing and building data pipelines, working directly with clients and regulators, mentoring junior staff, and setting technical standards. This greenfield role offers the opportunity to shape the function and deliver impactful forensic solutions.

RSM London, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent
Experis logo

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves designing and supporting the build of a strategic data platform as part of an integrated financial crime programme. Responsibilities include influencing enterprise-wide data governance, leading cloud data architecture on AWS, and optimizing data models and workloads. The position requires strong communication skills to convey technical concepts to senior leadership and guide multiple teams on data architecture standards and security practices.

Experis London, United Kingdom
Hybrid Contract

Senior Data Engineer

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will design and build scalable data infrastructure to support renewable energy systems. Your key responsibilities include developing and optimizing ETL pipelines, maintaining data quality, and mentoring team members in a collaborative, agile environment.

VIQU IT Fleet Street, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £80,000 – £90,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Engineer

Birmingham | Hybrid£55,000 – £65,000 + excellent benefitsWe are partnering with an established, customer-focused business based in Birmingham that continues to invest significantly in its data and technology capabilities.They are seeking to appoint a Senior Data Engineer to play a...

SF Partners Birmingham, West Midlands (county), United Kingdom £55,000 – £65,000 pa

Senior Data Engineer

As a Senior Data Engineer within the Data Engineering team, you will play a key role in building, enhancing, and maintaining our enterprise data platform on Snowflake. You will develop and optimise scalable data pipelines and models that bring data...

Gigaclear Shippon, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
On-site Permanent

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer+8 months+Hybrid in Reading+Inside IR35+£80 - £85 ph+SC cleared roleSkills:+MOD+Data Engineer+PythonWe're seeking an adaptable, proactive Senior Data Engineer to build and scale data capabilities within a greenfield environment across critical Defence and Aerospace programmes.⚠️ Essential Requirement: You must...

CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom £85 – £90 ph

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer – (Tick data, Time-Series; kdb+ / Q )3-6 months initially.London 3 days onsiteAre you a Data Engineer with a background in systematic trading who has worked with granular tick market data? Have you built pipelines to allow...

Tatton Recruitment South Bank, London, SE1 9PZ, United Kingdom

Senior Data Engineer

Senior Data Engineer* Hybrid-working (Manchester + Home-based)* c£60,000 to £75,000 per year (DOE)* Plus an excellent company benefits package (including Private Healthcare, Bonuses, Professional Accreditations and Subscriptions, 25 days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays, etc.)The Opportunity:We are supporting a leading...

ISR Recruitment Manchester, United Kingdom
See all 19 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring senior 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
5 open

Leeds

Location
2 open

Birmingham

Location
1 open

Manchester

Location
1 open

Reading

Location
1 open

Bolton

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • Key skills include expertise in ETL/ELT processes, data warehousing, SQL, and cloud data infrastructure. Strong problem-solving abilities and collaboration skills are also essential.

  • Common tools include Apache Kafka, Apache Spark, AWS Redshift, Google BigQuery, and Snowflake. Familiarity with programming languages like Python and SQL is also important.

  • The typical progression is from Junior Data Engineer to Data Engineer, then Senior Data Engineer, and finally Principal Data Engineer. Each step involves increasing responsibility and leadership.

  • For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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