Lead Data Engineer

The opportunity

We have an opportunity for a Lead Data Engineer to join us on the exciting and rewarding path we are taking here at Castle Trust Bank. We pride ourselves in being a fintech challenger bank, providing specialist property mortgages, retail finance lending and savings accounts to a variety of customers. 

This is a unique opportunity where you will lead the delivery of Castle Trust Bank’s next-generation data platform. You’ll take ownership of core architecture and engineering practices across a modern Azure-Databricks ecosystem, enabling advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI use cases.

In this leadership role, you’ll drive the design, development, and governance of data pipelines and infrastructure, ensuring high availability, integrity, and compliance. You’ll collaborate closely with business and technology stakeholders to translate strategic goals into scalable data solutions, while mentoring others and promoting engineering excellence across the organisation.

The role is based at our Basingstoke office with hybrid working available (a minimum of 3 days per week in the office).

What we are looking for in you…

From a technical perspective:

Essential

• Expertise with SQL, especially Databricks SQL;
• Demonstrable data model design expertise, e.g. star schema;
• Knowledge of Azure Modern Data Warehouse Architecture including Azure Synapse, Databricks, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog;
• Experience of pipeline orchestration management (e.g. Synapse Analytics pipelines);
• ITIL change management and incident management experience;
• Experience implementing monitoring and alerting for data pipelines;
• Expertise implementing data quality controls;
• Experience with data lineage, data dictionaries and glossaries.

Desirable

• Familiarity with real-time data processing;
• Experience using Azure DevOps, or equivalent, for change and code management;
• Expertise in Power BI, or equivalent, solution technology;
• Expertise in Python, DAX and other data languages used within Azure, Databricks, Power BI;
• Expertise in legacy data solutions/systems (e.g. SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS);
• Ability to train users in data solutions/tooling (e.g. Databricks).

What is also important to us is that you have experience of working in a regulated finance environment in a similar capacity with financial modelling experience and experience of delivery under Agile methodology. You will need to be highly numerate, analytical and business value orientated with experience in documentation and specification writing. You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and possess strong stakeholder management skills. You will have previous experience in managing a small team and mentoring junior engineers to enable data capability across business teams. You’ll be a natural problem solver with a passion for delivering solutions, and a proactive approach in using your initiative.

A relevant Microsoft or cloud-based certification is important, and it would be advantageous if you have and ITIL foundation qualification and/or degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Data Science or similar.

What’s in it for you…

As well as a competitive salary, we offer an annual performance related bonus based on individual and company performance. In addition, a generous contributory pension scheme through Hargreaves Lansdown, life assurance, 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays on top) with the option to buy/sell up to 5 additional days (terms apply). In addition, you will receive an extra day paid annual leave for Volunteering.

Wellbeing is also high on our agenda, and we offer private healthcare through Equipsme. In addition, all colleagues have free access to TELUS Health EAP to support their health and wellbeing. We also offer free eye test vouchers and discounted gym membership, and if that’s not enough, we also offer season ticket travel loans (if applicable).

Caught your attention? If so, we’d love to talk to you and tell you more about what it’s like to work at Castle Trust Bank – The Place To Work! 

Castle Trust Bank is an equal opportunity employer where we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues to thrive. We welcome applications from all and will not discriminate against any status/characteristic protected by law and will always base our decisions on merit.

Please note that visa sponsorship cannot be provided for this role and applicants should have the right to work in the UK.

We are proud to support people with disabilities and are committed to be a Disability Confident employer. If you are a person with a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be offered an interview. Should you require any reasonable adjustment to support you in your application for one of our opportunities, please contact talent@castletrust.co.uk

Check out our careers page: https://www.castletrust.co.uk/careers/who-we-are