Data Engineer (AI/ML Startup)

Data Engineer

A rapidly scaling AI startup is looking for a hands-on Data Engineer to join their highly technical team. This is an exceptional opportunity to work on cutting-edge machine learning and real-time optimisation products used by clients processing millions of customer interactions per day.

You’ll join a small, elite engineering group where your work has immediate impact. The environment is fast, collaborative and low-bureaucracy — ideal for someone who thrives in a startup setting and wants real ownership.

The role

You’ll be responsible for designing, building and maintaining the data pipelines that power the company’s AI-driven products. This includes:

Building scalable, reliable ETL processes and data pipelines

Working closely with data scientists to productionise models

Designing and maintaining data architecture for new products

Monitoring and improving data quality, performance and reliability

Contributing to engineering best practices (testing, code review, documentation)

What we’re looking for

Must-have experience

Proven experience building scalable ETL processes and data pipelines

Advanced Python skills (production-grade, performant code)

Strong hands-on experience with pandas

Strong SQL Server skills

Experience with cloud platforms (Azure or AWS)

Experience using Git in a team environment

Hands-on experience using AI coding tools (e.g., Copilot, Cursor, Claude, Codex)

Nice to have

Experience with Airflow, Dagster or other orchestration tools

Experience with data lakes (Synapse, Snowflake)

Experience with Docker

Experience with streaming technologies (Kafka, RabbitMQ)

Experience with Spark or other big-data tools

Hybrid working – 3 days per week in a central London office (Tues - Thurs)

If you’re excited by the idea of building the data foundations of next-generation AI products — even if you don’t tick every box — we’d love to hear from you.