Lead Data Platform Engineer - £75K TO £85K - Data Ownership

Lead Data Platform Engineer Blackburn (Hybrid 3 days on-site) Up to £75,000 £85,000 + Benefits Hybrid Microsoft Fabric | Azure | AI | Data Governance Are you a Data Platform Engineer looking for the opportunity to build a modern data estate from scratch and take ownership of a business-critical platform? We're partnering with a growing international business that is making its first dedicated senior data hire. This is a rare opportunity for a Data Platform Engineer to design and deliver a greenfield Microsoft Fabric platform while helping shape the company's long-term data and AI strategy. As the lead Data Platform Engineer, you'll work directly with senior stakeholders to centralise data from multiple business systems, establish governance and create a trusted foundation for reporting, analytics and future AI initiatives. The Role As a Data Platform Engineer, you will:

• Design, build and own a new Microsoft Fabric data platform
• Develop scalable ELT pipelines using SQL and Python/PySpark
• Integrate ERP, CRM, HR and operational systems into a centralised data environment
• Establish data governance, security and quality standards
• Deliver executive and operational reporting through Power BI
• Create semantic models to support self-service analytics and AI use cases
• Work directly with business leaders to define priorities and the data roadmap
• Help shape the future direction of the data function What We're Looking For
• Experience building or leading a modern cloud data platform
• Strong SQL and Python/PySpark skills
• Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse or Databricks experience
• Strong understanding of data modelling and governance
• Power BI semantic modelling and DAX expertise
• Ability to work autonomously and influence technical direction
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills Why Apply?
• First senior Data Platform Engineer hire within the business
• Greenfield Microsoft Fabric implementation
• Significant ownership and influence from day one
• Direct access to senior leadership
• Opportunity to shape the organisation's AI journey
• Clear progression path as the data team grows
• Ideal move for a Senior Data Platform Engineer looking for greater ownership Salary: Up to £85,000 + Benefits Location: Lancashire (Hybrid, 3 days onsite) Whether you're currently a Data Platform Engineer, Senior Data Engineer, Lead Data Engineer, Fabric Engineer or Azure Data Engineer, this is an opportunity to become the go-to Data Platform Engineer within a business investing heavily in its data capabilities.