At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering squads to deliver AI-powered features in our SaaS products.
- Company: Bright, a forward-thinking software company empowering businesses with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on continuous improvement and career development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team at the forefront of AI technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and managing teams, with a strong understanding of AI.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Who are we?
At Bright, we build software that accountants, payroll professionals, and practice managers rely on every day. Our engineering teams are shipping AI-powered features into production right now, not experimenting, not planning, building. We're brilliant people creating brilliant software! Join us in our mission to create brilliant software that empowers businesses to reach new heights.
You’ll lead three engineering squads building AI-first features into our SaaS products. This means owning both the people and the projects: coaching engineers, running delivery, and making sure the technical direction is sound. Your teams include fast-moving, highly skilled developers who are deep in AI. You need to be a credible technical partner to them, not just a process manager who delegates the hard questions.
This role sits at the intersection of hands‑on technical leadership and people management. You’ll be reviewing architectural decisions, challenging implementation choices, and pushing AI-first thinking across development and QA workflows while also running 1:1s, growing careers, and keeping delivery on track.
What Will You Do?
- Lead three engineering squads delivering AI-powered features into our SaaS products for accountancy, payroll, and practice management.
- Provide genuine technical guidance to your squads not just repeat what your team tells you.
- Champion AI-first development: ensure developers and QAs are using AI tools effectively as part of their daily workflows.
- Run agile delivery with a focus on outcomes, not ceremonies.
- Coach, mentor, and grow engineers through structured 1:1s, career development, and honest feedback.
- Collaborate with product to translate business requirements into well‑scoped technical work.
- Drive continuous improvement in how we build, test, and ship software.
- Hire well. You’ll help us find and onboard engineers who raise our bar.
- Communicate delivery status, risks, and technical trade-offs to stakeholders clearly and without surprises.
What We Need From You
Must Haves
- You’ve been a software engineer. Not a project manager who worked near engineers, someone who has written production code and understands what it takes to build great products.
- You’ve managed engineering teams and can point to teams you’ve built, grown, or turned around.
- You understand AI beyond the surface. You can explain how an LLM works, distinguish RAG from fine‑tuning, and evaluate an architecture proposal that includes AI without needing someone to translate it for you.
- You have genuine curiosity about AI. You experiment with tools and models, follow the field, and build things using AI or containing it. Our engineers live in this space. You need to be a credible conversational partner.
- You know what great agile software development looks like and have a track record of delivering quality software, preferably SaaS or e-commerce.
- You can hold the room with technically strong engineers. You’ll earn respect through competence, not title.
Preferred
- Experience with .NET, C#, JavaScript or Azure, our primary stack. Our engineers are polyglot and we use technologies beyond these, but familiarity with some of our core stack is useful.
- Hands‑on experience building AI‑powered features, not just adopting AI developer tools.
- Experience managing multiple teams simultaneously.
- SaaS product development background.
- Familiarity with accountancy, payroll, HR, or practice management software.
This is not a role for someone who manages entirely by delegation and trusts the team to handle all the technical decisions. You need to be in the detail enough to know when a decision is good and when it isn’t. Equally, this isn’t a principal engineer role, you’ll not be cutting code and you’ll spend more time on people and delivery than on technical matters.
AI Engineering Manager in Warwick employer: Bright Software Group
At Bright, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant work culture that champions innovation and collaboration. Located in Warwick, our team enjoys a supportive environment where personal growth is prioritised through structured mentorship and career development opportunities. With a focus on AI-driven software solutions, employees are empowered to make meaningful contributions while working alongside talented professionals in a dynamic and forward-thinking setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Engineering Manager in Warwick
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the AI and software development space. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. You never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects, especially those involving AI. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical prowess, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've managed teams and delivered successful projects. Remember, they want to see your genuine passion for AI and software development!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our mission to create brilliant software!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Engineering Manager in Warwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Side:Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience as a software engineer. We want to see that you understand the nitty-gritty of building great products, so don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of your past work.
Be a People Person:Since this role involves coaching and mentoring, let us know about your experience in managing teams. Share how you've helped engineers grow in their careers and how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment.
Demonstrate Your AI Knowledge:We’re looking for someone who genuinely understands AI. Talk about your curiosity and any projects where you’ve experimented with AI tools or models. Show us you can hold a conversation about AI without needing a translator!
Keep It Relevant:Tailor your application to our needs. Mention your familiarity with our tech stack and any experience in SaaS product development. This will help us see how you fit into our mission of creating brilliant software.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bright Software Group
✨Know Your AI Inside Out
Make sure you can discuss AI concepts confidently. Brush up on how LLMs work, the differences between RAG and fine-tuning, and be ready to evaluate architectural proposals involving AI. This will show that you’re not just a manager but a credible technical partner.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences, especially how you've helped engineers grow through structured 1:1s and honest feedback. This will demonstrate your commitment to team development.
✨Understand Agile Delivery
Familiarise yourself with agile methodologies and be ready to discuss how you focus on outcomes rather than just ceremonies. Share specific instances where you've driven continuous improvement in software delivery, as this aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Technical Trade-offs
Prepare to communicate clearly about delivery status, risks, and technical trade-offs. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions and how you communicated those to stakeholders. This will show your ability to manage both people and projects effectively.
