Data Engineer

Job title: Data Engineer

Location: Cardiff or London Hybrid working (1 day a week in the office)

About Sonovate

Sonovate is redefining the future of work through intelligent financial infrastructure. As a technology‑first fintech, we power the contingent workforce economy with scalable, automated funding and workflow solutions that help businesses grow with confidence. Our platform combines embedded finance, automation and seamless integrations to unlock efficiency, flexibility and growth for our customers.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on building long-term value and creating structural advantage for businesses in a rapidly evolving world of work. Our ambition is to continually innovate, strengthen our foundations and explore new opportunities that make Sonovate an indispensable partner for organisations everywhere. If you’re motivated by shaping the future and delivering impact at scale, you’ll thrive here. Join us as we power the next generation of work.

Role Overview

We are looking for a T-shaped Data Engineer to join our data and analytics team.

Our Data & Analytics team prides itself on being customer focussed, using progressive technology to deliver end to end to high quality. We need someone to join us who understands that data powers automation, AI systems and intelligent financial infrastructure.

The Data Engineer is responsible for designing and operating reliable data pipelines and semantic models that make Sonovate’s data usable by analytics, applications, and AI-driven services such as agents and digital workers. This role combines technical expertise in tools like Python, SQL, dbt, and Azure-based services with a focus on delivering scalable, efficient solutions aligned with organisational needs.

The Data Engineer produces maintainable, high-quality code while adhering to engineering standards and non-functional requirements (e.g., observability, reliability, and security). They troubleshoot pipeline issues, contribute to advanced analyses as needed, and demonstrate an understanding of the data platform architecture and business domains to drive impactful results.

This role suits an engineer who is curious about how AI is changing software development and data platforms. You don’t need deep AI expertise, but you should be excited to learn how data engineering enables automation, natural language interfaces and intelligent systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. You’ll be part of the team responsible for maintaining and enhancing Sonovate’s data platform, helping the business grow, innovate and make better decisions through improved visibility and data led insight.

• Due to team size we encourage people to develop skills outside their core skillset to support the rest of the data team. This is encouraged and shaped to the individuals aspirations in combination with the team need.
• Building and maintaining data products that power internal analytics, customer-facing platform features and AI-driven capabilities. This includes the provision and support of relevant infrastructure and all analytical software as well as providing subject matter expertise to all stakeholders. This includes working exposure points: APIs, Analytics, AI Agents, Product Features.

Data for AI and Automation

• Design datasets and data models optimised for use in AI-driven workflows, agent systems and natural language interfaces.
• Ensure data is discoverable, trustworthy and structured so it can safely power internal automation and customer-facing AI capabilities.
• Ensure appropriate governance, lineage and access control so that data can be safely used in analytics, automation and AI systems without compromising confidentiality or regulatory obligations.

Contribute to context-driven development by ensuring that data models, lineage, documentation and business logic are clearly defined and machine-readable so they can be used by both engineers and AI-assisted development tools. As AI-assisted development becomes part of the engineering workflow, data engineers will increasingly act as stewards of structured context. This includes: data definitions, lineage, schema design, semantic clarity

Key Skills

• Proficient in delivering data pipelines using Python, SQL, dbt and tools like Azure Functions and Logic Apps.
• Familiarity with the Snowflake data platform and its unique features e.g. dynamic tables, zero copy clones etc.
• Demonstrates proficiency with CI/CD pipelines, including modifying behaviour using variables.

What will you get in return?

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays
• Private medical insurance with Bupa
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Techscheme with Apple and Currys PC World
• Cyclescheme
• Working with latest technologies and leading SaaS providers
• Eye care vouchers with Specsavers
• 50% discounted gym membership
• 50% off mobile apps (Calm, Duolingo, Audible, Les Mills)
• 2 days charity leave per year
• You’ll work for a company that is passionate about personal development and a strong community focussed culture

Sound interesting?

If your answer is ‘yes’ then click apply to find out more!

If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you during the interview process, please let our Talent Acquisition Partner (Alex Morrell) know and we'd be happy to help!

We know that diverse teams are strong teams. We promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture and are committed to recruiting, retaining and developing all our employees

Please note: All successful applicants who are offered a role at Sonovate will be required to pass background screening checks before starting with us. These checks will include National ID Checks, Right to Work, Employment References, Adverse Financial History, Criminal Record, Global Sanctions, Bankruptcy checks. Our Talent Acquisition team will be able to run you through these in detail at the early stage of your application