Lead Software Engineer

Title: Lead Software Engineer

Contract: 2-Year Fixed Term, Full-Time (35 hours)

Salary: £65,913 (London) / £57,900 (Regional) depending on experience

Location: London (Stratford) or Manchester (Trafford) Hybrid (% office-based)

Closing Date: 20 April 2026

Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Lead Software Engineer to join a growing Data Engineering team, building a modern, cloud-first data platform on Azure. This role offers the chance to shape platform strategy, influence data-driven decision-making, and lead a high-performing engineering team delivering impactful solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Define and drive the data engineering roadmap aligned with business goals
• Set engineering standards across coding, testing, security, and documentation
• Manage technical debt and ensure scalable, reliable solutions

Delivery & Collaboration

• Lead the design and delivery of data pipelines using Azure tools (Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse)
• Work closely with architects, product owners, and stakeholders
• Manage risks, remove blockers, and ensure successful delivery

Platform Ownership

• Oversee the end-to-end data platform (ingestion to consumption)
• Ensure data quality, governance, and monitoring standards
• Promote a data-driven culture across the organisation

Requirements

• Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams
• Strong Azure data engineering expertise (ADF, Databricks, Synapse, Data Lake)
• Solid knowledge of data modelling and warehousing (e.g. Kimball)
• Strong SQL skills and experience with relational databases
• Experience with Python, Scala, or PySpark
• Familiarity with ETL/ELT pipelines, CI/CD, and agile delivery
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Benefits

• Excellent pension (up to 6% double contribution)
• 28 days annual leave rising to 31 + bank holidays
• Health cash plan and life assurance
• Paid volunteering leave
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Ongoing training and development