Interim Principal Data Engineer

Job Title: Interim Principal Data Engineer Location: London (Hybrid) Contract Type: 6-Month Contract (Outside IR35) The Opportunity A high-growth, technology-led business is seeking an Interim Principal Data Engineer to support a major data platform transformation programme. Reporting into senior technology leadership, you'll be brought in to provide hands-on technical leadership across a modern cloud-based data environment, helping scale platform capabilities, improve engineering standards and accelerate delivery against a busy transformation roadmap. This role would suit somebody who enjoys joining businesses during periods of change, quickly establishing credibility and driving tangible outcomes from day one. Key Responsibilities • Provide technical leadership across a modern cloud-native data platform. • Define and implement engineering best practices, standards and delivery patterns. • Lead the design and optimisation of scalable data pipelines and platform services. • Partner with senior technology, product and data stakeholders to shape technical direction. • Coach and mentor engineers, helping raise capability across the wider function. • Improve platform reliability, observability, governance and performance. • Support key strategic initiatives across data, analytics and AI. Ideal Profile • Proven experience operating as a Principal Data Engineer, Staff Engineer, Data Platform Lead or Data Architect. • Extensive experience delivering data platform transformation programmes within complex environments. • Strong track record of operating in interim, consulting or transformation-focused roles. • Comfortable providing both strategic direction and hands-on technical leadership. • Able to influence senior stakeholders whilst remaining close to engineering teams. • Strong communication skills and the ability to simplify complex technical challenges. Technical Environment • Databricks • Snowflake • AWS and/or Azure • Python • Spark • Terraform • Airflow • Event-Driven Architecture • CI/CD • Data Products • Modern Platform Engineering Practices Why This Role? • Business-critical transformation programme. • High level of visibility with senior leadership. • Opportunity to shape long-term platform direction. • Hands-on technical leadership role. • Chance to leave a lasting impact within a high-growth environment.