As the first senior data hire at LightWork AI, you will lead the design and implementation of our data architecture. You’ll define engineering standards, select core tooling, and build scalable pipelines from scratch. This critical role offers the opportunity to shape the data strategy and build the team for a high-growth AI startup.
Lead Data Engineer at LightWork AI
LightWork AI is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to serve as their first senior data hire in London. This is a rare opportunity to define the architecture and standards for an early-stage AI company building foundational infrastructure. You will work with cutting-edge tools like vector databases, Spark, and Kafka to power a next-generation AI platform from the ground up. If you have over 7 years of experience and a passion for building greenfield data systems, this role offers the chance to lead a team and shape the future of AI data strategy in a high-impact environment.
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Location
London, United Kingdom
Compensation
Not Disclosed
Company
LightWork AI
Role overview
AI25 employeesLondon, United Kingdom
LightWork AI is automates property operations (compliance, maintenance, lettings and tenant support) through Felicity, an AI assistant that can handle up to 80% of admin tasks autonomously. Designed for the UK’s property industry, LightWork AI delivers enhanced capacity, reduced admin costs and zero missed communications for property management & lettings agencies; giving tenants the confidence that their homes are safe, compliant and their needs are always met.
What you will do
- Architect and build robust data pipelines using technologies like Spark, Airflow, and Kafka to support real-time AI platform capabilities.
- Implement and manage specialized data stores, including PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and vector databases like Qdrant, Milvus, or pgvector for high-performance search.
- Establish rigorous engineering standards for data quality, observability, and performance while mentoring future hires as the company scales its operations.
Who this is a fit for
- Brings 7+ years of experience in data or backend engineering, with a proven track record of owning complex, distributed data systems at scale.
- Possesses deep expertise in Python and the Spark/Airflow/Kafka stack, alongside hands-on experience with vector search and large-scale ML data pipelines.
- Thrives in early-stage environments and holds a high-prestige degree in a technical field from a top-tier university with a strong academic record.
Why this role is remarkable
- Join as the first senior data hire, giving you unprecedented influence over the technical roadmap, architectural choices, and future engineering culture.
- Work at the cutting edge of AI infrastructure, implementing advanced vector databases and high-throughput real-time data streaming solutions for inference support.
- Shape the future of a high-potential AI platform while building out and eventually leading your own dedicated data engineering team in a greenfield environment.
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I get to know what you’re great at, then find roles you’d never find yourself.Ok, I'll go first. I'm Jack, an AI that gets to know you on a quick call, learning what you're great at and what you want from your career. Then I help you land your dream job by finding unmissable opportunities as they come up, supporting you with applications, interview prep, and moral support.
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If your profile’s a match and LightWork AI wants to meet, Jill will make the intro. In the meantime, Jack will send you excellent alternatives.