DATA ENGINEERING AND BIG DATA
TALENT SOLUTIONS
Processing Big Data has become crucial to countless businesses. Those who decide to pursue a career within Big Data face complex development challenges, too tough for relational database systems. After all, there is no Data Science without Data Engineers.
Whilst businesses may have vast quantities of data at the ready, it holds no real value unless it can be stored, harnessed and utilised. It’s estimated that most UK companies have at least 100 terabytes of data stored which could be used for various purposes around the business, as well as newly accessible hard-to-process sources such as web data, image data, and social media data.
This is where those who work in Data Engineering become extremely valuable, as they develop Data Platforms that allow this kind of volume to be processed and used by Data Scientists and analysts across the business.
WHY
HARNHAM?
Our esteemed position as a global leader in data recruitment stems from our deep expertise in Big Data and Data Engineering, supported by hundreds of dedicated specialists located across the United States, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
Our extensive network enables us to deliver exceptional recruitment services, expertly matching our clients with top-tier Data Engineering talent.
We acknowledge the distinct challenges and requirements of each organization's data infrastructure.
Therefore, our recruitment strategies are meticulously tailored, emphasizing a thorough understanding of and alignment with your specific business objectives and data technological needs.
OUR
SERVICES
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Permanent and Contract Recruitment: We offer both permanent and contract recruitment solutions, adapting flexibly to support the dynamic requirements of your Big Data and Data Engineering projects.
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Executive Search: Our executive search service focuses on identifying and securing top-tier leaders in the Data Engineering domain who can advance your strategic goals and technological advancements.
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Industry-Specific Expertise: Our operations span multiple industries, providing specialized recruitment solutions tailored to the distinctive challenges and opportunities of your sector.
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Contact us today to discover how our custom talent solutions can bolster your organization's Data Engineering prowess.
JOBS
LATEST
OPPORTUNITIES
Harnham are a specialist Data & AI recruitment business with teams that only focus on niche areas.
3rd line support engineer – Must be dutch speaking
Eindhoven
€60000 - €61000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentEindhoven, North Brabant
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Job Advert: 3rd Line Support Engineer – Healthcare Technology
Our client, a leading provider within the healthcare technology sector, is seeking a highly skilled 3rd Line Support Engineer/Technician to join their dynamic and growing IT team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned technical professional who is passionate about supporting critical healthcare systems and eager to contribute to impactful digital health delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the escalation point for complex technical issues across infrastructure, applications, and networking
- Troubleshoot and resolve advanced incidents related to servers, virtual environments, storage, and end-user technologies
- Support specialised healthcare systems and adhere to clinical safety/security standards
- Work collaboratively with 1st and 2nd line teams to ensure seamless service delivery
- Implement improvements, upgrades, and preventative maintenance across the IT estate
- Manage stakeholder communication and ensure minimal downtime for essential healthcare services
- Produce detailed documentation and contribute to knowledge sharing
Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in a dedicated 3rd line support role
- Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, and O365/M365 environments
- Also need someone working with Azure, SQL
- Expertise in virtualisation technologies such as VMware or Hyper-V
- Networking knowledge including DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP, firewalls, and routing
- Experience supporting clinical or healthcare applications (desired but not essential)
- Familiarity with ITIL frameworks and ticketing systems
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work under pressure while maintaining high accuracy and compliance
Why This Role?
- Opportunity to directly support solutions that improve patient care and operational delivery within healthcare
- Career growth through exposure to advanced technologies and continuous project work
- Supportive environment focused on professional development and innovation
This is a fantastic chance for someone who thrives in a technically challenging environment and wants to make a real difference in the healthcare sector. Candidates with a passion for supporting mission-critical services and delivering exceptional results will excel in this role.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
VP of Engineering
London
£130000 - £150000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentLondon
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Role: VP of Engineering
Salary: £140,000 + Equity
Location: London (5 days a week in office with some flexibility)
About the Company
Our client is a fast-growing SaaS business transforming property management through intelligent automation. Its flagship AI assistant autonomously handles up to 80% of administrative workflows – from compliance and maintenance to lettings and tenant support.
Built for the UK’s regulation-driven property market, the platform helps agencies enhance capacity, reduce admin costs, and eliminate missed communications – while ensuring tenants live in safe, compliant homes with responsive support.
The Role
We’re partnering with our client to appoint a VP of Engineering – a hands-on technical leader who will shape the company’s engineering vision and build scalable AI-powered solutions.
This role offers the opportunity to lead a talented team, influence product direction, and play a key part in the company’s next stage of growth. It’s ideal for a senior engineer or tech leader with a strong product mindset and experience in AI, SaaS, or automation platforms.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the technical development of AI-driven property management solutions
- Write, review, and optimise code while maintaining engineering best practices
- Manage and mentor a team of software and AI engineers
- Define and evolve the technical architecture and roadmap
- Collaborate with product and design teams to deliver impactful features quickly
- Drive innovation across automation, AI integration, and system scalability
- Ensure reliability, performance, and security across all products
- Contribute to strategic planning and long-term technology direction
What You’ll Bring
- Strong academic background – ideally a First-Class degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of proven experience in software engineering within AI, SaaS, or automation platforms
- Deep technical expertise (e.g., Python, Node.js, AI/ML integration, cloud infrastructure)
- Previous experience in a leadership role within a startup or high-growth tech company
- Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organisational skills
- A passion for building products that solve real-world problems and elevate user experience
What’s on Offer
- Competitive salary and significant equity package – share in the success you help create
- A pivotal role in shaping engineering culture, architecture, and processes
- Work alongside a talented and mission-driven team in a collaborative environment
- The opportunity to redefine property management through cutting-edge AI
If you’re an ambitious technical leader ready to drive innovation and scale, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to learn more about this opportunity.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Head of Data Engineering
Walsall
£120000 - £130000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentWalsall, West Midlands
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Head of Data Engineering
Location: West Midlands
Hybrid Policy: 3 days per week in the office (flexible on which days)
Salary: £120,000 – £130,000 + £7,500 car allowance + exceptional bonus & benefits
An established, financial services group is on the lookout for a Head of Data Engineering to lead their data platform transformation – a critical migration from legacy systems (SQL Server) to modern Azure cloud technologies.
You’ll oversee a 40-person team of engineers (across the UK and offshore), guide delivery of critical regulatory and treasury projects, and work closely with senior leaders to ensure smooth delivery and long-term modernization. This is a hands-on leadership role – ideal for someone who thrives in both strategy and delivery.
Ideal Candidate:
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Proven leadership of large data engineering teams (UK and offshore)
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Deep expertise in SQL Server, and experience migrating to Azure cloud
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Experience managing third-party partners/vendors
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Ability to stay hands-on to mentor teams on technical delivery
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Background in the banking / financial services sector
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Strategic mindset with a delivery-focused leadership style
Tech Environment:
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Azure Data Stack (Synapse, Databricks, Azure SQL, Power BI)
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SQL, Python
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Legacy systems primarily in SQL Server
Interview Process:
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Initial 30-minute informal converdation
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60-minute technical/competency interview with Engineering Managers
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Final 90 minute session with senior leadership (CDO, CTO, CIO)
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All applicants will undergo standard pre-employment checks (financial, DBS, references)
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Senior Python Engineer
London
£65000 - £85000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentLondon
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Senior Python Engineer
Salary: Pays up to £85,000
Location: London (2 Days in Office)
Join a high-performance engineering team redefining how global systems fight fraud at scale, where you’ll architect resilient solutions, shape technical direction, and mentor others to deliver mission-critical impact with performance, reliability, and simplicity.
The Opportunity
Step into a pivotal role where your engineering expertise shapes the future of digital integrity. As a Senior Engineer, you’ll design and deliver high-impact, cross-service features that power a cutting-edge platform used by global customers. You’ll have the freedom to make architectural decisions, drive performance and reliability improvements, and mentor talented engineers across a collaborative, high-growth environment.
This is your chance to work on complex challenges at scale, using modern technologies to solve real-world problems with measurable impact. If you’re ready to build, lead, and innovate at the forefront of technology, this is where you make your mark.
Roles and Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll take ownership of designing, building, and operating scalable backend systems that power a global, data-driven platform. You’ll lead the delivery of complex, cross-service features, shaping architecture, improving performance, and ensuring reliability across the stack.
Collaboration is key as you work closely with Product, Data, and Design to translate ambitious ideas into resilient, production-ready solutions. You’ll also mentor engineers, set quality standards, and champion best practices in testing and security. Our modern tech stack includes TypeScript, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL, AWS, Docker, and Kubernetes, giving you the tools to innovate and deliver impact at scale.
Interview Process:
- 30 minute introductory meeting
- Technical challenge, will include a shared screen session to write code
- Culture Fit (including interview with product manager)
Ready to take ownership of complex engineering projects and shape the future of scalable systems in a fast-paced, global environment? Bring your technical expertise, lead innovation, and make your mark, apply now!
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Backend Python Engineer
London
£650 - £800
+ Data Engineering
ContractLondon
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Job Title: Senior Python Backend Engineer (Generative AI)
Location: London – Hybrid 2x Per Week
Role Type: Contract, £650-800 Per Day, Inside IR35
The Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Python Backend Engineer to build, scale, and maintain the production infrastructure for Generative AI and chatbot applications.
This role is responsible for the live production systems that power our services. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team focused on solving complex technical problems. This position’s responsibilities include designing robust backend services, managing cloud infrastructure, and ensuring application reliability at scale.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
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Backend Development: Design, build, and maintain scalable backend services and APIs using Python (FastAPI needed).
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System Architecture: Make design decisions for our production systems, focusing on reliability and efficiency.
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Asynchronous Programming: Implement and manage asynchronous workflows and concurrent processes.
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Containerization: Utilize Docker to containerize applications for deployment.
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Cloud Deployment & Operations: Deploy and troubleshoot applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Candidates must be able to diagnose production issues within cloud environments (e.g., Cloud Run, GCS, BigQuery).
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Infrastructure as Code: Develop and manage cloud infrastructure using Terraform.
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Monitoring: Implement and monitor production metrics to ensure system health and identify bottlenecks.
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(Optional) Data & AI Integration: Contribute to data ingestion pipelines and the integration of large language models (LLMs).
Must-Have Qualifications
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Experience: 5+ years in software development, including experience managing live production systems at scale.
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Python Expertise: Demonstrable expertise in Python backend development (FastAPI, Flask, or Django).
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Containerization: Hands-on experience with Docker and container-based workflows.
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Cloud Proficiency: Proven ability to deploy to a major cloud provider (GCP highly preferred) and diagnose and troubleshoot production issues in that environment.
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Database Skills: High proficiency in SQL.
Nice-to-Have Skills
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Direct production experience with FastAPI.
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Experience with Google Cloud Run and Kubernetes (GKE).
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Familiarity with GCP data tools like BigQuery and Google Cloud Storage (GCS).
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Experience building complex agentic AI applications (beyond basic RAG or LangChain implementations).
How We Evaluate Candidates
Our interview process is designed to identify practical engineering competence and collaborative skills.
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Technical Acumen: The technical assessment is rigorous. We evaluate Python and SQL skills on a pass/fail basis; full competency is required. We will also assess hands-on Docker skills and your understanding of asynchronous programming, concurrency, and software design.
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Communication: Candidates must be able to clearly articulate their technical contributions. We require context on what was done, why it was done, and what the business impact was.
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Teamwork: We are looking for engineers who demonstrate strong collaboration. We will look for competency-based examples of how you approach problem-solving, design, and execution as part of a team.
If you are interested in applying, please email with your CV and number.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Sr Cloud Data Engineer (Contract-to-Hire)
$60 - $75
+ Data Engineering
ContractNew York
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Sr. Cloud Data Engineer (Contract-to-Hire)
Are you passionate about building scalable, cloud-based data solutions that make a real impact in healthcare? Our client – a leading healthcare technology company – is looking for a Senior Cloud Data Engineer to help design, develop, and optimize modern data pipelines.
This is an opportunity to work on large-scale, high-impact data systems that support advanced analytics, improve patient outcomes, and drive better decision-making across the healthcare ecosystem.
This role will be a 6-month contract-to-hire with the intention to convert to permanent employment at the end of the initial 6-month term.
What You’ll Do
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Design and implement data pipelines using GCP BigQuery, Dataflow, and Airflow.
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Optimize data processes for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
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Develop and maintain data models, schema, and transformation logic in BigQuery.
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Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and business teams to deliver reliable data solutions.
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Automate workflows with Python, Terraform, and CI/CD frameworks.
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Ensure data quality, governance, and security across all systems.
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Troubleshoot and maintain cloud data infrastructure, ensuring stability and reliability.
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Stay current with GCP advancements and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
What We’re Looking For
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Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
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5+ years of experience as a Data Engineer.
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Hands-on expertise with GCP BigQuery, Dataflow, and Airflow.
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Strong SQL and Python programming skills.
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Deep understanding of data warehousing, data lakes, and ETL best practices.
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Experience with Terraform (IaC) and CI/CD integration.
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Familiarity with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, or Looker).
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Experience with healthcare data or regulated data environments preferred.
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Strong communication skills and a proactive, problem-solving mindset.
**NO Third Party Agencies** **Our client is NOT able to offer sponsorship at this time**
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Platform Engineer
£550 - £650
+ Data Engineering
ContractEngland
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Platform Engineer – Outside IR35 – £550-£650/day – Fully Remote
I’m partnered with a pioneering TechBio company that’s using AI to accelerate drug discovery and make a real impact on patient outcomes. As they scale their data and infrastructure capabilities, they’re looking for a Platform Engineer to join on an initial 3-month contract (Outside IR35) to help strengthen and stabilise their cloud environment.
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Support and enhance the company’s infrastructure and production systems across GCP.
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Contribute to a major replatforming project to GKE, ensuring scalability, automation, and security.
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Improve reliability, observability, and CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI, Argo, Flux).
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Work closely with developers to embed best practices and elevate the internal developer experience (IDP).
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Collaborate within a small, high-performing team under the Head of Infrastructure.
YOUR BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
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Strong commercial experience with Kubernetes in production environments.
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Proven hands-on experience with GCP (Google Cloud Platform).
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Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines – GitLab CI, Argo, or Flux.
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Experience with HashiCorp Vault and open-source tooling.
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Background in automation, observability, and platform reliability.
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Excellent problem-solving skills and a collaborative, pragmatic mindset.
THE DETAILS
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Day rate: £550-£650/day (Outside IR35)
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Contract: 3 months, with scope for extension
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Location: Fully remote (UK-based)
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Start date: ASAP
If you’re a seasoned Platform Engineer with a passion for building scalable, reliable systems and want to contribute to meaningful tech in healthcare, I’d love to hear from you.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Data Operations Lead
Watford
£83000 - £83000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentWatford, Hertfordshire
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Data Operations Lead
Location: Watford – 3 days per week
Salary: up to £83,000 + up to 15% bonus
My client is seeking a hands-on Technical Lead to take ownership of data operations for a large-scale cloud-based reporting environment. You’ll oversee offshore engineers, manage end-to-end data workflows, and ensure the smooth delivery of daily data loads across multiple systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily data operations and ensure end-to-end completion of data loads.
- Monitor and debug Airflow workflows, resolving issues efficiently.
- Manage a team of offshore data engineers, providing technical direction and support.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to troubleshoot data discrepancies and root-cause issues in reports.
- Maintain and improve data lineage and flow across AWS and Power BI reporting stacks.
- Work closely with business and technical stakeholders to improve data reliability and transparency.
- Identify opportunities for automation and process optimisation once BAU stability is achieved.
Technical Environment
- AWS (data storage and processing)
- Apache Airflow (workflow orchestration)
- Power BI (reporting and analytics)
What We’re Looking For
- Strong background in data engineering or data operations.
- Experience managing or mentoring offshore technical teams.
- Solid understanding of data pipelines, workflow debugging, and data lineage tracing.
- Familiarity with stakeholder engagement and incident management.
- Proactive, hands-on problem solver who thrives in fast-moving environments.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Product Owner
Eindhoven
€60000 - €80000
+ Data Engineering
PermanentEindhoven, North Brabant
To Apply for this Job Click Here
Job Title: Product Owner
Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Employment Type: Full-time
About the Company:
This innovative company is transforming the healthcare experience through cutting-edge digital solutions. Their mission is to empower healthcare providers and patients with tools that make care more accessible, seamless, and efficient. They are seeking a talented Product Owner to join their team and drive the development of their SaaS solutions.
Role Overview:
The Product Owner will play a central role in the product development process, acting as a bridge between business needs, user experience, and technical implementation. This individual will define and prioritize the product backlog, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and ensure that the solutions deliver exceptional value to healthcare customers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Define, prioritize, and maintain the product backlog in alignment with company goals and user needs.
- Collaborate with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, UX designers, and development teams, to translate business requirements into actionable features.
- Drive product development from concept to delivery, ensuring high-quality releases.
- Continuously gather user feedback and analytics to inform product decisions and improvements.
- Act as the voice of the customer within the team, ensuring that solutions meet both user and business objectives.
Requirements:
- Proven experience as a Product Owner or similar role, preferably in SaaS environments.
- Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and experience working in Scrum teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Passion for improving the healthcare experience and understanding of healthcare workflows is a plus.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
Preferred:
- Experience with healthcare technology platforms or patient-facing applications.
- Familiarity with metrics-driven product management and data analysis.
What the Company Offers:
- A dynamic and collaborative work environment in Eindhoven.
- The opportunity to make a real impact on the healthcare experience.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Personal and professional growth in a fast-paced, innovative company.
To Apply for this Job Click Here
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Industry Hub
HARNHAM
News & Blog
With over 10 years experience working solely in the Data & AI sector our consultants are able to offer detailed insights into the industry.
Visit our Blogs & News portal or check out our recent posts below.
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Testimonials
Client and
candidate
testimonials
A trusted partner of professionals
across the globe.
We understand the challenges our
customers face and offer the
recruitment solutions needed to drive
business success through Data &
AI.
Client – Director of Customer Data Science – Apparel
The team at Harnham have been outstanding in helping our company build a market-leading data science team. Harnham’s communication is great, and the recruiter’s take a consultative approach that’s really focused on provided value for both their clients and their candidates. They provide strong candidates that help us fill our roles with high achievers who are also a great fit for our culture.
Client /
Director of Customer Data Science – Apparel
Candidate – Digital Media and Analytics
I've recently got a short-term contract role through Harnham, and things couldn't have gone better! My recruiter was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. They also provided incredible admin support so that I could focus on the actual job in hand, rather than having to spend too much time dealing with these matters.
Candidate /
Digital Media and Analytics
Candidate – Data Analyst
I’ve had a great experience with Harnham. The recruiter provided great advice and ensured that I understood everything, and even followed up with me after I started my new role to see how I was settling in. I would recommend Harnham as a great recruitment company for anyone looking for a role in data and analytics.
Candidate /
Data Analyst
Candidate – Chief Data Officer
It was a real treat to work with Harnham. My recruiter consistently went above and beyond to ensure that I navigated through the recruitment process as smooth as possible. I had been in contact with other professional at Harnham in the past and I can attest that the level of professionalism is always top-notch.
Candidate /
Chief Data Officer
Candidate – Market Research Analyst
Thanks to Harnham, I am now in a role that suits me. My recruiter was able to quickly identify the skills I had to offer and match me up with his client. It was a win-win for everyone. I was given great advice throughout the process, and I also appreciated the follow-ups that I received.
Candidate /
Market Research Analyst
Candidate – Senior Data Engineer
I've been a Senior Data Engineer for about 4-5 years and Harnham is one of the best recruitment agencies I worked with. There was a time when my offer fell through and the recruiter I was working with at Harnham jumped in to the rescue and scheduled interviews for me within a couple of days. Really good agency and some great people.
Candidate /
Senior Data Engineer
Client – Data Direction – Broadcast Media
I have worked with Harnham for over 2 years now as our main Analytics Recruiter partner and I am very pleased with the overall service and the people we have hired via Harnham. Harnham’s team is very good at understanding our recruitment needs and always come back with relevant and well scanned CVs, which saves me precious time.
Client /
Data Direction – Broadcast Media
Client – Director of People Operations
We’ve been collaborating with Harnham to recruit some key positions for our company, and they have been incredible partners. They team has been great and efficient. They understood our needs perfectly and provided us very talented candidates. We'll keep collaborating with them in the future. Thank you for your excellent job!
