Lead Data Engineer

About the role

ALEC Holdings PJSC, part of the Investment Corporation of Dubai and a publicly listed construction group, is hiring a Lead Data Engineer in the UAE. The role leads the data platform architecture, data pipelines and reporting, and guides the team in turning complex data into trusted, governed insights.

Key responsibilities

• Own the data platform architecture, including the data warehouse and lake layers, the medallion structure and the enterprise data model feeding reporting and analytics.
• Define and enforce data engineering standards, design patterns, code quality and best practices.
• Lead enterprise data modelling, cataloguing and governance, including data quality, lineage, security and ownership using tools such as Microsoft Purview.
• Design, build and optimise core data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes, integrating data from ERP, operational systems, files and APIs.
• Guide the technical direction of the platform and evaluate and select tools and technologies.
• Build and maintain BI reports and dashboards with Power BI or similar, and oversee the wider BI and reporting layer.
• Analyse business requirements, translate them into technical solutions and advise stakeholders on the right data and technical approach.
• Maintain an overview of technical debt and platform health, and mentor data engineers and build the team's capability.
• Align the data roadmap with organisational goals and enable teams to access trusted, governed data.

Required profile

• Degree in an appropriate discipline or equivalent demonstrated experience, or 5+ years of experience.
• Proven ability to set technical standards, lead architecture decisions and review the work of others.
• Leadership, stakeholder management and communication skills across business, technical and project teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing demands; experience setting up or maturing a data platform or data function.
• Certifications in data engineering, data architecture, analytics or a major cloud platform are an advantage.

Required skills

• Python and PySpark for data engineering.
• SQL and relational databases such as SQL Server, Oracle or PostgreSQL, and NoSQL stores such as MongoDB or Cosmos DB.
• ETL/ELT pipelines, batch and API-based integration, and large-scale distributed data processing.
• Workflow orchestration tools such as Airflow.
• Data modelling, dimensional modelling, data marts and medallion architecture.
• At least one major cloud data platform, such as AWS or Azure.
• Data quality, cataloguing and governance frameworks, including Microsoft Purview.
• Power BI or similar BI tools, and experience with Databricks or Microsoft Fabric.
• ERP, project or construction industry data.

What we offer

• The chance to contribute to some of the UAE's most iconic projects.
• A collaborative, supportive environment that values innovation and excellence.
• Opportunities for professional growth and career progression.