Data Engineer – Financial Services | Strong Kafka/Streaming Focus- Liverpool/Hybrid – Up to £75K (DOE) Our client, an innovative and rapidly expanding Financial Services organization, is seeking a Data Engineer to join their highly technical data team. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking company where data is central to strategic decision-making. We’re looking for someone who brings hands-on experience in streaming data architectures, particularly with Apache Kafka and Confluent Cloud, and is eager to shape the future of scalable, real-time data pipelines. You’ll work closely with both the core Data Engineering team and the Data Science function, bridging the gap between model development and production-grade data infrastructure. What You’ll Do: * Design, build, and maintain real-time data streaming pipelines using Apache Kafka and Confluent Cloud. * Architect and implement robust, scalable data ingestion frameworks for batch and streaming use cases. * Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver high-quality, reliable datasets to live analytical platforms and machine learning environments. * Serve as a technical advisor on data infrastructure design across the business. * Proactively identify improvements and contribute to evolving best practices, with freedom to experiment and implement new technologies or architectures. * Act as a bridge between Data Engineering and Data Science, ensuring seamless integration between pipelines and model workflows. * Support data governance, quality, and observability efforts across the data estate. What We’re Looking For: * 5 years of experience in a Data Engineering or related role. * Strong experience with streaming technologies such as Kafka, Kafka Streams, and/or Confluent Cloud (must-have). * Solid knowledge of Apache Spark and Databricks. * Proficiency in Python for data processing and automation. * Familiarity with NoSQL technologies (e.g., MongoDB, Cassandra, or DynamoDB). * Exposure to machine learning pipelines or close collaboration with Data Science teams is a plus. * A self-starter with strong analytical thinking and a “leave it better than you found it” attitude. * Ability to operate independently and also collaborate effectively across teams. * Strong communication skills and experience engaging with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Why Join? * Be part of a highly respected and technically advanced data team at the heart of a thriving business. * Get ownership of key architecture decisions and the freedom to try new ideas. * Play a pivotal role in scaling the company’s data capabilities during a phase of significant growth. * Influence data strategy across business units and leave a lasting impact