Lead Data Engineer

Join Kainos

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators – driven by a shared mission to create real impact. We transform digital services for millions, deliver cutting‑edge Workday solutions, and push the boundaries of technology together.

Lead Data Engineer (Consultant) – Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the development of whole components or subsystems within a team, including design, code, testing and defect resolution.
• Focus on hands‑on design and development using open‑source and commercial platforms.
• Define and enforce development best practice, coaching team members to ensure consistency.
• Work with project architects on the non‑functional needs of ETL/ELT data‑processing pipelines such as robustness and performance.
• Take responsibility for standards and execution of unit and integration testing performed within the team.
• Manage software product due diligence and integration.
• Lead troubleshooting and tuning of activities.
• Collaborate with Operations teams to ensure the application software is operationally ready.
• Collaborate with Security Architects and accreditors to ensure compliance with relevant legal and security requirements.
• Advises customers, managers and team members on the estimated effort and technical implications of user stories and user journeys.
• Contribute to technical proposals as part of the sales process.
• Manage, coach and develop a small number of staff, focusing on performance and career development while guiding the team to solve problems together.

Minimum (essential) Requirements

• Experience leading a team of engineers in the implementation of data‑intensive system components.
• Experience applying standards for design (patterns), development (style guides) and operational readiness (automation, deployment).
• Proficient software development experience in Java, Scala or Python.
• Experience with data‑processing platforms from vendors such as Informatica, Azure Databricks or equivalent ETL tools.
• Expertise in SQL or SQL extensions for analytical use cases.
• Expert understanding of distributed data stores and data processing frameworks.
• Ability to communicate technical design clearly, both written and verbally.
• Proficiency in designing analytical and operational data models.
• Interest in AI technologies.

Desirable Skills

• Comfortable with Data Warehouse methods and techniques.
• Actively shares thoughts and views on data practices.
• AWS, Azure or GCP certification in Data Services.
• Expertise in continuous improvement and data best practice.
• Participation in development and/or technology communities.
• Practical experience with AI technologies, tools, processes and delivery.