Lead Data Engineer

Location: Hybrid working, 1-2 visits to London a month

Salary: Competitive with bonus

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

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Perfect opportunity for someone who thrives on solving complex data challenges, transforming legacy systems into modern cloud platforms, and leading teams through meaningful change.

We're looking for an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join our IT team and take ownership of our enterprise data platform. This is a technical leadership role where you'll lead a team of Data Engineers while remaining hands-on with architecture, engineering standards, data modelling and platform delivery.

This is far more than a traditional management role. The business is investing heavily in Microsoft Fabric and modernising its data estate, so we're looking for someone who has successfully transformed legacy and on-premise data environments into modern cloud-based platforms.

You'll work closely with the Head of IT and key business stakeholders to shape the future of data across the organisation. From migrating legacy systems into Microsoft Fabric, improving data quality and governance, and designing scalable data models, you'll play a critical role in enabling better reporting, analytics and business decision-making.

Whether you're building data pipelines, defining engineering standards, mentoring engineers or leading platform transformation projects, you'll have the autonomy and support to make a genuine impact.

Why join Ground Control?

Lead a modern data transformation

Take ownership of the organisation's Microsoft Fabric platform and play a key role in migrating and modernising legacy data systems. You'll help shape the future data architecture and establish best practices that support long-term growth.

Remain hands-on technically

This is a leadership role, but we're looking for someone who still enjoys getting into the detail. You'll be actively involved in architecture decisions, SQL development, data modelling, pipeline design and solving complex technical challenges.

Develop and lead a growing team

Manage and mentor a team of Data Engineers, providing technical leadership, coaching and guidance while building a high-performing engineering culture.

Drive data quality and governance

Own the standards, controls and processes that ensure data is reliable, trusted and accessible across the business. Your work will directly improve reporting, analytics and decision-making.

Be a trusted partner to the business

Work closely with stakeholders across the organisation, translating business requirements into scalable and well-structured data solutions.

Take ownership and make an impact

This is a role with real autonomy. You'll have the opportunity to influence architecture, challenge existing approaches and implement improvements that deliver measurable business value.

What we're looking for

• Proven experience as a Lead Data Engineer, Senior Data Engineer or Data Engineering Manager.

• Strong hands-on SQL expertise, including optimisation and performance tuning.

• Experience designing, building and supporting modern cloud-based data platforms.

• Strong experience with Microsoft Fabric, including Lakehouse, Data Engineering, Data Warehouse and Data Integration capabilities.

• Experience migrating and modernising legacy or on-premise data environments into cloud platforms.

• Strong understanding of data architecture, data modelling and engineering best practices.

• Experience building scalable ETL/ELT pipelines and data integration solutions.

• Experience supporting Power BI and analytical reporting platforms.

• Strong understanding of data governance, quality, security and operational reliability.

• Experience leading technical delivery and acting as an escalation point for complex engineering challenges.

• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

• Experience managing, mentoring or developing Data Engineers.

Desirable

• Microsoft Fabric certifications (DP-600, DP-700 or similar).

• Experience with Azure Data Platform technologies.

• Experience with DevOps, CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code.

• Experience implementing monitoring, observability and operational controls within data platforms.

• Experience working within complex enterprise or regulated environments.

Benefits

• Competitive salary – aligned with your skills and experience

• Performance-linked bonus – bonus opportunities aligned to your level and contribution

• Pension scheme – helping you plan for the future

• Recognition schemes – celebrating and rewarding great work

• Private GP service – fast, convenient access to medical support

• Life insurance – providing added peace of mind

• Subsidised gym membership – supporting your health and wellbeing

• Holiday buy scheme – purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave

• Hybrid working flexibility

• Microsoft certification support and ongoing professional development

• Opportunity to shape and lead a critical business-wide data transformation programme

If you're passionate about data engineering, enjoy solving complex technical challenges and want the opportunity to lead a modern Microsoft Fabric platform while developing a high-performing team, we'd love to hear from you.

#INDP

Equal Opportunities Statement

At Ground Control, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic as defined in the Equality Act 2010.

We actively support and promote an inclusive culture, ensuring fair and equitable treatment throughout the recruitment process and across all stages of employment, including training, development, promotion, pay, and termination. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees, and to creating a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or victimisation.

We expect all colleagues to uphold our values of dignity, respect, and inclusion. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discriminatory behaviour and are committed to continuous improvement through training, inclusive policies, and accountability at all levels. #CFIT