Lead Data Engineer

We are easyJet – a FTSE listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours - we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

READ ON IF YOU

Have strong experience designing and delivering cloud-based data solutions at scale

Enjoy leading and developing high-performing data engineering teams

Thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy solving complex technical challenges

Are passionate about modern data platforms, big data technologies and continuous innovation

Can be in our fantastic Luton head office 3 x per week

THE TEAM

You’ll join a dynamic Data Engineering function at the heart of easyJet’s ambition to become a truly data-driven airline. Working closely with Data Science, Analytics, Architecture and wider IT teams, you’ll help shape and deliver enterprise data capabilities that power decision-making across the business.

THE ROLE

As Lead Data Engineer, you will combine deep technical expertise with inspiring leadership to design, build and scale production-grade data solutions across easyJet’s IT estate.

Lead the design, delivery and implementation of robust, scalable data solutions across a wide range of business use cases

Champion the evolution and adoption of our distributed data platform and data products

Manage and develop a team of Data Engineers and Analytics Engineers, supporting their growth and ensuring high-quality delivery

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver enterprise-level data initiatives

Partner with Data Science and Analytics teams to unlock new opportunities and deliver end-to-end data products

Ensure solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements and align with wider IT standards

Drive continuous improvement through automation, optimisation and enhanced ways of working

Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and bring innovation into the organisation

Provide technical leadership, manage technical debt and shape implementation and QA approaches

Act as a deputy for the Data Engineering Technology Manager when required

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire and develop technical teams

Strong experience designing and building cloud-based, distributed data platforms

Advanced Python and SQL skills, with experience in modern engineering practices such as CI/CD and TDD

Experience with big data frameworks such as Apache Spark or similar technologies

Solid understanding of data modelling, data warehousing, OLTP and data lake architectures

Experience working with cloud ecosystems such as AWS, Azure or GCP

Familiarity with tools such as Kafka, Airflow, Hive, Delta, or similar technologies

Strong understanding of software engineering principles and production support

Experience with Linux, containerisation and enterprise scheduling tools

Knowledge of data governance, security and data privacy principles including GDPR

Confident communicator, able to present complex technical concepts to varied audiences

A proactive, self-directed mindset with strong problem-solving skills

Desirable:

Experience within the airline or travel industry

Exposure to AI/ML solutions and productionisation

Experience with Databricks, Snowflake or modern lakehouse platforms

Infrastructure-as-code and serverless pipeline experience

Data lake migration and solution architecture experience

WHAT YOU’LL GET IN RETURN

Up to 20% maximum bonus

Private Medical Insurance

7% pension contributions

Excellent staff travel benefits

25 days of annual leave + bank holidays

Annual credit towards an easyJet holiday

Various flexible benefits and extras

PRACTICALITIES

This full-time role will be based in Luton and will be 40 hours per week. We support hybrid working and we spend 60% of our time per month in the office

REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com. We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation

Requirements of the Role

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