Engineering Manager - ML and Data

the team works - cost visibility, accountability for what you and the product teams run, and drive decisions that weigh spend alongside performance

What we're looking for Experience managing a team of data engineers, with accountability for their delivery, growth, and performance Enough technical depth to be respected by strong engineers. You can interrogate a streaming architecture, spot the wrong trade-off in a data model, and recognise when the information you've been given doesn't add up. A background building and operating data platforms at scale - medallion architecture, event streaming, warehousing, transformation frameworks like DBT, ideally where the data directly drives revenue or customer-facing data products Experience coaching engineers across a wide seniority range, including retaining and stretching Staff-level talent Exposure to machine learning. You’ve directly managed or supported ML engineers, understand the lifecycle of models in production, and can credibly lead an ML function as it grows. Comfort operating with high autonomy. You resolve ambiguity rather than wait for it to be removed.

Nice to have: Experience with payments, fintech, or other finance related domains Familiarity with modern cloud data stacks (we work with technologies like Kafka, Snowflake, Firebolt, and DBT), though depth of engineering leadership matters more than any specific tool Experience with cloud providers and tooling like AWS, Terraform, Kubernetes Familiarity with data mesh concepts. You understand domain-oriented ownership and treat data as a product, driving towards self-serve platforms. You may not like it here Primer is remote-first. There's no office to walk into for context or a read on how things are going, and that applies doubly when you're the one your team looks to for direction.

The team is small and the surface is broad. You'll own everything from real-time streaming to warehouse modelling with a handful of engineers, and prioritisation calls will be yours to make and defend. We keep the management layer thin. You won't have a large support structure above you removing obstacles, and you're expected to stay close enough to the technical work to lead it credibly. The ML function is early. You'll be shaping it as it grows rather than inheriting something established, and that means ambiguity about scope, tooling, and direction is part of the job. ✅ A typical interview process An initial intro call with a Talent Partner An interview with the Hiring Manager Challenge Stage - Contextualised to

the role A final, values-alignment interview What's the culture like at Primer? We're building a culture where people can do their best work and be proud of the impact they have. You'll be working with people who are mission-driven, smart, and reflective, and who are genuinely invested in building exceptional products and delivering success for our merchants. We work remotely, and have done since day one. We believe that building a successful, profitable company goes beyond proximity. We invest in our relationships through great remote working practices and thoughtfully designed face-to-face time, including workations, our annual company retreat, and access to co-working spaces across most major cities. The work is challenging. Scaleups are a challenge, and building category-defining products is a challenge. But there's a meaningful difference between a challenge and a struggle. At Primer, the right challenge comes with the right support: strong onboarding, a collaborative environment, and a team that is genuinely invested in your success. It's never something you face alone. Our

benefits 🌍 We are fully remote and globally distributed; and have been since day one 💰 Competitive share options 🌴 Uncapped holiday, with 25 days minimum to be taken 🗣️ Co-working space access across major cities 📅 Workations & Company Retreat 💻 The best equipment for your role 🏠 £500 towards your home office setup 🔎 Generous learning budget 🏥 Private Medical Insurance 📈 A broad set of additional

perks and

benefits ( depending on location) Don’t meet every single requirement? At Primer, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. Primer is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and adopts a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, or any other background or belief.

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