Lead Data Engineer

• £90,000–£100,000
• Central London | Hybrid (3 days on-site)

A leading European intellectual property firm is seeking a "Lead Data Engineer" to join its Technology & Innovation team. The firm partners with some of the world’s most innovative and successful organisations, helping to improve lives by supporting creativity, technology, and progress.

Its people are at the heart of everything it does — talented, curious, and collaborative individuals who thrive on solving complex challenges and delivering exceptional results. The firm fosters a friendly, inclusive environment where ideas are shared freely, learning is continuous, and everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

The organisation is a proud supporter of initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and social mobility, and actively champions wellbeing and community engagement across all areas of the business.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Technology & Innovation, the "Lead Data Engineer" will play a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s data and analytics landscape. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing team responsible for designing, building, and optimising scalable, cloud-based data platforms that drive business intelligence, AI innovation, and data-informed decision-making across the firm.

This senior role combines hands-on technical expertise with strategic leadership, offering the opportunity to define the data vision and enable meaningful business transformation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of a modern cloud data platform (Azure, AWS, or GCP).
• Develop ETL/ELT pipelines to manage structured and unstructured data at scale.
• Enable self-service BI and deliver insights through Power BI dashboards and advanced analytics.
• Integrate AI and automation into the firm’s data infrastructure.
• Establish data governance frameworks, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance (GDPR, ISO 27001).
• Partner with business leaders to align data initiatives with organisational objectives.
• Mentor and develop a team of data engineers and analysts.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience leading data engineering or BI teams in complex organisations.
• Expertise in cloud data platforms and data processing services.
• Strong skills in Python, SQL, and Power BI (DAX, Power Query, data modelling).
• Knowledge of ETL/ELT pipelines, data warehousing, and data mesh architectures.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications, metadata management, and data lineage tracking.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.

Experience in professional services or legal environments is advantageous but not essential.

Why Join?

The firm believes in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and offers a culture that supports wellbeing, growth, and flexibility. Alongside a competitive salary, the role offers:

• 25 days’ holiday (increasing with service) plus holiday buy and bonus schemes
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private medical insurance via Bupa
• Generous family, fertility, and wellbeing policies
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Paid volunteering day each year
• Access to 24/7 wellbeing and mental health support

To find out more click apply or email jon@burnssheehan.co.uk