Engineering Manager - Platform

Engineering Manager - Platform

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Blacklane

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to transform our platform into a seamless product for developers.
  • Company: Join Blacklane, a global leader in premium chauffeur services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 28 vacation days, health insurance, and hybrid work options.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of care, drive, and excellence with growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of our platform while making a real impact.
  • Qualifications: Experience in engineering and a passion for building high-performing teams.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

The Mission

Platform as a Product – bridge the gap between "infrastructure" and "developer success". Transform our platform from a set of tools and processes into a cohesive internal product, leading a team of engineers through growth and establishing a "paved road" that allows product teams to ship with zero friction.

The Impact

  • Shape the roadmap and team.
  • Working with our Staff Engineer, define what good looks like and become a high‑performing team.
  • Oversight over delivery timelines and scope, making highly impactful decisions.
  • Focus on work done rather than ticket throughput.

Ambiguity

  • Comfortable turning ambiguous requirements into concrete deliverables, making trade‑off decisions while embracing "perfect is the enemy of done".

Team Evolution

  • Act as coach and talent magnet.
  • Responsible for growth, performance and structure of the Platform unit, fostering a vocal, collaborative, high‑performing culture through continuous learning.

Raise the Bar

  • Drive Platform excellence in developer experience, infrastructure or SRE.
  • Communicate regularly with other Engineering Managers, managing expectations and holding them accountable for delivery dependencies.

The Profile: The Practical Strategist

  • Seeking a leader who builds high‑performing teams.
  • Whether your background is in Platform, Backend, or Data Engineering, thrive on solving complex challenges, motivated to educate yourself, and never leave a job 80% finished.
  • Shape a Platform Domain from the ground up.

High Agency

  • Build business cases, secure buy‑in, and act without waiting for permission.

Execution‑Focused

  • Track record of taking complex initiatives to completion, ensuring projects reach true 100% completion.

Strong opinions, weakly held

  • Hold strong opinions on how things should be done, but are willing to disagree and commit to move forward.

About Blacklane

Our mission is to become the world’s leading premium global chauffeur service. Operating in 50+ countries, we prioritize reliability, innovation and first‑class service, and lead sustainable mobility efforts to reduce operational impact on the planet.

Our Company Culture & Values

  • Care – invested in each other’s well‑being and professional growth.
  • Drive – act with pace and determination, champion ownership and delivery.
  • Excellence – understand our customers to exceed expectations.

We support people through ERGs, mentorship programs and encourage participation in communities that matter to employees.

Benefits

  • 100% employer‑paid health insurance with 24 hr GP access.
  • 28 vacation days per year, increasing with tenure.
  • Company pension with up to 5% employer contribution.
  • £15 weekly Just Eat lunch vouchers for UK hub employees.
  • Mental and physical health support with Nilo and Wellhub.
  • Continuous learning through LinkedIn Learning and an L&D budget.
  • Hybrid setup: 3 days a week in our London office.
  • Fair pay and benefits tailored to local markets.
  • Mystery Rides: Quarterly voucher to enjoy personal trips worldwide with Blacklane.

We place great value on equal opportunities. Therefore, we welcome everyone to apply!

Engineering Manager - Platform employer: Blacklane

At Blacklane, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a culture of care, drive, and excellence. Our London-based team enjoys a hybrid work setup, generous benefits including 28 vacation days, and a commitment to continuous learning, ensuring that every employee has the opportunity to grow and thrive in their career. Join us in shaping the future of premium global chauffeur services while making a meaningful impact on the planet.

Blacklane

Contact Details:

Blacklane Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager - Platform

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Blacklane on LinkedIn or through mutual connections. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by understanding the company culture and values. Show how your experience aligns with their mission of reliability and innovation. We want to see that you care about their goals as much as they do!

Tip Number 3

Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you build high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've turned ambiguity into actionable plans. This is your chance to shine as a practical strategist!

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Blacklane family.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager - Platform

Team Leadership
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Problem-Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Agility in Ambiguity
Coaching and Mentoring

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your experience in building high-performing teams and your ability to turn ambiguous requirements into concrete deliverables. We want to see how you can bridge the gap between infrastructure and developer success!

Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the impact you've made rather than just listing tasks. Share specific examples of how you've driven platform excellence or improved developer experience. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate a track record of taking complex initiatives to completion.

Emphasise Collaboration:Since this role involves working closely with other Engineering Managers, make sure to highlight your collaborative skills. Talk about how you've managed expectations and held teams accountable in previous roles. We value a vocal, high-performing culture, so show us how you foster that in your teams!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our mission at Blacklane!

How to prepare for a job interview at Blacklane

Understand the Mission

Before your interview, make sure you fully grasp the mission of transforming the platform into a cohesive product. Familiarise yourself with how this impacts developer success and infrastructure. Be ready to discuss how you can bridge that gap and what strategies you would implement.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As an Engineering Manager, your ability to lead high-performing teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've coached teams in the past, fostered collaboration, and driven performance. Highlight your approach to building a culture of continuous learning and how you plan to attract top talent.

Embrace Ambiguity

The role requires turning ambiguous requirements into concrete deliverables. Think of instances where you've successfully navigated uncertainty and made impactful decisions. Be ready to discuss your thought process and how you prioritise execution over perfection.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is key, especially when managing expectations with other Engineering Managers. Prepare to discuss how you’ve handled dependencies in the past and how you ensure everyone is aligned. Show that you can articulate your strong opinions while remaining open to feedback.