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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
33
Salary range
£40k – £110k
Hiring companies
26
View 33 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

A typical day for 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

£40k – £110k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 30 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Senior
40
100
25 jobs
Lead
65
110
5 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

33 live roles

See all 33 roles →

Senior Data Engineer

This role involves designing, building, and maintaining scalable cloud-based data pipelines using Microsoft technologies like Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse, Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric. You will collaborate with data engineers, BI developers, analysts, and process engineers to ensure data solutions align with business goals and best practices, while also supporting the productionisation of machine learning models and large language models.

Robert Walters Cheshire, United Kingdom £65,000 – £75,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Engineer

This Senior Data Engineer role involves designing, building, and maintaining scalable data pipelines using AWS services. You'll work closely with platform engineers, analysts, and data scientists to migrate an existing data warehouse to AWS, implement data quality checks, and contribute to the modern data lakehouse architecture. The role offers opportunities to influence the platform's architecture and provide technical guidance to junior engineers.

SRG Manchester, United Kingdom £70,000 – £80,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Engineer

As a Senior Data Engineer, you will join a collaborative and innovative team focused on building and supporting modern data platforms. Your responsibilities include designing and delivering data solutions, optimizing data pipelines, integrating diverse data sources, and maintaining high standards in data and engineering practices. You will also experiment with emerging technologies and support the development of machine learning and AI infrastructure.

Ageas Insurance Limited Reigate, RH2 0AA, United Kingdom £70,000 – £85,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent Flexible

Lead Data Engineer

The Lead Data Engineer will provide technical leadership in Azure cloud and Databricks, overseeing the design and implementation of scalable data solutions. Key responsibilities include interpreting user stories, leading data modelling, and ensuring data quality and performance. The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams and a focus on DevOps practices and security.

Canada Life London, United Kingdom £70,000 – £110,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

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
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 £40,000 – £60,000 pa
Hybrid Contract

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 £40,000 – £60,000 pa
On-site Permanent

Lead Data Engineer

The Data Platform That Decides EverythingSome companies say they’re “data-driven.”This one actually is.Every pricing decision. Every risk calculation. Every customer insight. Every machine learning model — all powered by a data platform that sits right at the heart of the...

Edison Hill Search Lime Street, City And County Of the City Of London, United Kingdom £90,000 – £100,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Senior Data Engineer - London

Senior Data EngineerLondon, Hybrid, 3 days in the office each week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday)£70,000 to 80,000 depending on experienceRef: J13073A growing AI SaaS business, where data sits at the centre of everything they build, is looking for a Senior...

Datatech London, United Kingdom £70,000 – £80,000 pa
Permanent

Senior Data Engineer - Microsoft Fabric

Senior Data Engineer - Microsoft FabricWe're looking for an experienced Senior Data Engineer to join a growing team building a modern Microsoft Fabric data platform. This is a hands-on role designing and delivering scalable data pipelines, Lakehouse solutions, and analytics...

Roc Search Europe Limited Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom £65,000 – £70,000 pa

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

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 – Leading FinTech | City of London | RemoteOur client, a market‑leading FinTech based in the City of London, is looking to hire a Senior Data Engineer to support major global financial projects. You’ll work closely with...

Fraser & Co. Talent Partners Limited Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0EA, United Kingdom £70,000 – £95,000 pa

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 - Databricks

Senior Data Engineer – DatabricksLocation:Remote UK or office based (opportunity to work remotely or be office based depending on your preference)Salary: £52k - £64k plus benefitsType: Full-TimeARCA Resourcing is proud to be partnered with an innovative leading retailer that’s transforming...

Arca Resourcing United Kingdom £52,000 – £64,000 pa
See all 33 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
8 open

Manchester

Location
4 open

Leeds

Location
4 open

Birmingham

Location
3 open

Edinburgh

Location
1 open

Reading

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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