Associate Director – Data Engineering

Associate Director of Geospatial Data Engineering | £140k | Remote (UK) | Open Source + Geospatial + AI-adjacent 📣

We’re working with a forward-thinking data consultancy that’s looking for a hands-on Associate Director of Geospatial Data Engineering — someone who blends deep technical ability with creativity, and loves solving unusual data challenges with open-source tools.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of strategic data engineering projects — helping clients build modern, scalable data platforms while leading from the front with your own engineering expertise.

🔧 What you’ll be working with:

• Python-first data engineering, building custom pipelines, automation tools and ingestion workflows.
• PostgreSQL + PostGIS: serious spatial querying, indexing and geospatial wrangling.
• Cloud-native infrastructure: AWS / GCP / Azure (your pick) — but with a proper understanding of how it all works under the hood.
• Modern ETL/ELT using Airflow, Spark, Dagster, Prefect — you choose the right tool for the job.
• CI/CD for data: Git, Docker, automated testing, efficient and scalable workflows.

🗺️ What sets this role apart:

• Heavy emphasis on geospatial data engineering — working with OSM, map tile rendering, Leaflet.js, Kepler.gl, and data visualisation.
• Work on projects blending private + public + non-traditional data sources — edge devices, IoT, NLP pipelines, and custom data processing challenges.
• Preference for open-source tools (QGIS, SpaCy, MapTiler etc.) over proprietary systems.
• A chance to shape the strategy, lead delivery, and stay close to the tech.

🧠 You might be a fit if you:

• Have a deep understanding of systems, efficiency, and optimisation (e.g., edge computing, AI-on-device, or automation with Raspberry Pi).
• Are a natural problem-solver who can connect data points others miss.
• Enjoy tackling messy, unconventional datasets.
• Have a track record of personal projects, open-source contributions or building beyond the 9–5