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# Lead Data Engineer

- **Company:** Understanding Recruitment
- **Location:** Greater London, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Infrastructure, Distributed Data Store, Python (Programming Language), NoSQL, Search Technologies, Data Storage Technologies, Real Time Systems, Backend, Build Management, Data Management, Stream Processing, Data Pipelines, Legacy Systems
- **Published:** July 29, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.understandingrecruitment.com/job/lead-data-engineer-9155/

## About the Role

* Experience building scalable data platforms or backend systems
 * Strong Python and data engineering skills
 * Knowledge of distributed data architectures and cloud technologies
 * Experience with relational and NoSQL databases
 * A practical approach to solving complex problems
 * Enjoy taking ownership and building from the ground up

If you're looking for a role where you can make a lasting technical impact from day one, we'd love to tell you more.

## Description

Lead Data Engineer

Build the foundations of an AI business from day one.

If you'd rather build a platform from scratch than inherit legacy systems, this is an opportunity to shape both the technology and the future of the business.

You'll be joining an early-stage AI company with a proven product, becoming its first senior data engineering hire and taking ownership of the data platform that powers AI at scale.

What's in it for you?

 * Competitive salary plus meaningful equity
 * Own the data architecture from day one
 * Work closely with experienced founders
 * Build modern infrastructure for AI products
 * Influence technical decisions and future growth

The role

You'll design and build the data platform behind an AI-driven product, creating scalable pipelines, real-time processing and reliable infrastructure that supports future growth.

What you'll be doing

 * Build scalable data pipelines and infrastructure
 * Develop batch and real-time data processing
 * Optimise data storage and vector search
 * Improve reliability, security and data quality
 * Partner with engineers to support AI development
 * Help shape the long-term technical architecture

What you'll bring

 * Experience building scalable data platforms or backend systems
 * Strong Python and data engineering skills
 * Knowledge of distributed data architectures and cloud technologies
 * Experience with relational and NoSQL databases
 * A practical approach to solving complex problems
 * Enjoy taking ownership and building from the ground up

If you're looking for a role where you can make a lasting technical impact from day one, we'd love to tell you more.


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