At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI-first engineering squads to deliver innovative SaaS features.
- Company: Bright, a forward-thinking software company empowering businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI technologies and drive meaningful change.
- Why this job: Join a team creating impactful AI-powered software for real-world applications.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and managing technical teams.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
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: Lead AI‑First SaaS Teams 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 teams are at the forefront of AI-driven software development, offering employees unparalleled opportunities for growth and professional development while working alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. With a focus on meaningful contributions and a commitment to employee well-being, Bright is the ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in the tech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Engineering Manager: Lead AI‑First SaaS Teams in Warwick
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Connect with folks in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that AI Engineering Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with AI and how you've led teams before. We want to see your passion for AI and your ability to guide others through complex projects.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and expertise. Check out our website for openings at Bright, where you can lead brilliant teams and create amazing software!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical discussions! Brush up on your knowledge of AI architectures and agile methodologies. Being able to hold your own in conversations with engineers will set you apart from the crowd.
We think you need these skills to ace AI Engineering Manager: Lead AI‑First SaaS Teams in Warwick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Technical Side:Make sure to highlight your hands-on experience with software engineering in your application. We want to see that you’ve been in the trenches, writing code and making architectural decisions, not just managing from a distance.
Be Genuine About AI:Let your curiosity about AI shine through! Share any projects or experiments you've done with AI tools and models. We’re looking for someone who can engage in meaningful conversations about AI, so don’t hold back!
Focus on Team Leadership:In your application, emphasise your experience in building and managing engineering teams. We want to know how you’ve coached and mentored engineers, and how you’ve driven successful outcomes in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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 built and grown engineering teams in the past. Highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences, especially in running 1:1s and providing honest feedback. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and develop talent effectively.
✨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 their expectations for the role.
✨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.
