Agency Partners

Data Developer Hiring Trends in London, United Kingdom

This report was last updated on Jul 6, 2025

Bence Gedai / Founder

Bence Gedai

Founder

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

  • The Data Engineers job market in United Kingdom London has recently witnessed notable fluctuations, with a peak of 119 new job openings in week 15, and a subsequent decline to 21 openings in week 26, indicating potential challenges in market stability.
  • Key technologies for Data Engineers include Python and SQL, with frequencies of 10,406 and 9,311 respectively, emphasizing the skills most sought after by hiring managers in this competitive landscape.
  • Mid-Senior level roles dominate the data job market, accounting for 63% of available positions, which highlights the urgent need for recruitment strategies targeting experienced professionals in the United Kingdom London's tech sector.
  • London remains the focal point for hiring Data Engineers, comprising 73% of job openings, with Leeds and Manchester trailing significantly at 14% and 7%, respectively.
  • The median time to hire for Data Engineers in the United Kingdom is currently 29 days, suggesting that a streamlined recruitment process is necessary to attract talent efficiently, particularly as future demand is anticipated to grow.
Number of roles opened and closed for Data Engineers in London in the last 3 months

Number of roles opened and closed for Data Engineers in London in the last 3 months

In recent weeks, the Data Engineers job market in United Kingdom London has shown significant fluctuations. Over the past twelve weeks, the number of new Data Developer jobs opened peaked at 119 in week 15, followed by a notable drop in subsequent weeks, culminating in a modest 21 openings in week 26. Meanwhile, the trend in closed Data Developer roles illustrates a complex landscape; job closures escalated sharply, reaching 70 in week 18, indicating potential challenges in retention and market stability. When compared to other European countries, London continues to face varied hiring trends, highlighting the necessity for recruitment strategies geared towards attracting top talent amidst these fluctuations.

Who else is hiring for data Engineers in United Kingdom:

Company name Country Industry Founded # Job openings
Oliver Bernard logo Oliver Bernard United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2010 7
Harnham logo Harnham United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2006 6
Meta logo Meta United States Information Technology & Services 2004 4
La Fosse logo La Fosse United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2007 4
Canonical logo Canonical United Kingdom Information Technology & Services 2004 3
Noir logo Noir United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2005 3
hackajob logo hackajob United Kingdom Information Technology & Services 2014 3
Capgemini logo Capgemini France Management Consulting 1967 3
Intec Select logo Intec Select United Kingdom Staffing & Recruiting 2016 3
Octopus Energy logo Octopus Energy United Kingdom Utilities 2015 3

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Talent pool vs job openings for Data Engineers in United Kingdom

How competitive it is to hire Data Engineers in United Kingdom

The job market for Data Engineers in the United Kingdom faces a competitive landscape, with a significant number of job openings compared to the available talent pool. Current data indicates a talent-to-job ratio of 2.5, making it moderately challenging for hiring managers in the UK to secure qualified Data Engineers. In comparison, countries like Germany, with a ratio of 3.0, and France, at 2.8, present a slightly more favorable environment for recruitment. Meanwhile, the Netherlands shows an even higher ratio of 4.0, indicating it is easier to find suitable candidates there. As such, CTOs and Engineering Managers in the UK should refine their recruitment strategies to navigate this challenging market effectively.

Seniority distribution of Data Engineer job openings in London

Seniority Distribution of Data Engineering Jobs in London

In the current Data Engineers job market trends in United Kingdom London, the majority of job openings are concentrated at the Mid-Senior level, making up 63% of the total positions available. Entry-level roles account for 20% of the market, followed by Associate positions at 9%. This seniority distribution highlights the demand for experienced professionals, indicating potential recruitment strategies for CTOs in United Kingdom London's tech sector.

Chart about preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the employment type distribution for engineering roles predominantly features full-time positions, accounting for 91% of available jobs. Contract roles follow at 9%, making up a significant portion of the job market, while part-time opportunities represent just 3% of the total. This data underscores the trend towards full-time employment as the preferred option for professionals in the technology sector.

Time to Hire Distribution for Data in United Kingdom

How long does it take to hire Data Engineers

The time to hire for Data jobs in the United Kingdom reveals important trends for hiring managers in London's competitive tech sector. A significant proportion of candidates, 304, are hired within 30 days, indicating a strong market dynamism. However, as the hiring window extends beyond this period, the counts notably decrease, with only 71 candidates hired in 40 days and 59 in 45 days. This distribution emphasizes the need for effective recruitment strategies; CTOs and engineering managers must expedite their hiring processes to attract top Data Engineers before competition escalates. With the future demand for Data Engineers anticipated to grow, understanding these hiring trends is essential for optimizing talent acquisition in the United Kingdom, particularly in London.

Most popular cities in United Kingdom to hire Data Engineers

Top 5 cities in United Kingdom to hire Data Engineers

The location distribution for Data Engineers job openings highlights a significant concentration in London, which comprises 73% of all relevant positions. Following London, Leeds accounts for 14% of openings, while Manchester contributes 7%. The data indicates a clear urban focus, particularly in the capital, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.

Most sought after technologies in London for Data

Key technologies for Data Engineers

In the dynamic landscape of the data job market in the United Kingdom, particularly in London, several technologies have emerged as key players. The most frequently utilized technology is Python, which appears with a remarkable frequency of 10,406. Following closely behind is SQL, with a frequency of 9,311, highlighting its critical role in data management and analysis. Other notable technologies include ETL at 3,655, Machine Learning at 3,463, and Data Engineering at 3,897. The attached chart further illustrates the prevalence of these technologies, providing valuable insights for hiring managers looking to navigate the competitive market for Data Engineers and related positions.

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