At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software engineering teams to evolve platforms and enhance product delivery.
- Company: Established UK tech company with millions of users and a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Up to £180,000 salary, bonuses, and hybrid working model.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on AI and modern engineering practices.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while driving impactful change in a growing company.
- Qualifications: Strong architectural judgement and experience in scaling technology environments.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 180000 £ per year.
A well-established UK tech company with millions of users is looking to appoint a Head of Software Engineering to shape the next phase of its platform evolution at a time of significant growth for the business. This is a senior leadership role focused on enabling product teams through strong architectural direction, modern platform capabilities and pragmatic technical strategy.
Working closely with executive stakeholders across Product and Technology, the Head of Software Engineering will lead 7 teams evolving core domains and APIs that power multiple product teams, helping the organisation scale sustainably while increasing engineering velocity.
The Head of Software Engineering sits at the heart of platform strategy and engineering effectiveness. You will be responsible for building foundations that improve product throughput, reduce duplication and allow teams to experiment faster — while modernising legacy architecture through safe, incremental change.
The business is investing heavily in AI and data-driven capabilities, and you will play a key role in embedding an AI-forward mindset into how platforms are built and operated.
Key Responsibilities:- Define and evolve platform architecture, core services, and shared domains used across product teams.
- Improve engineering throughput by simplifying systems and reducing complexity as the organisation scales.
- Lead the incremental evolution of monolithic systems into modern, flexible architectures.
- Partner with senior leadership to communicate technical trade-offs in clear, business-focused language.
- Enable growth across users, teams, and product lines through scalable platform design.
- Foster a high-agency culture focused on measurable outcomes rather than process overhead.
- Support the adoption of AI capabilities across the engineering ecosystem.
- Strong architectural judgement with hands-on technical credibility.
- Experience building or evolving platforms within scaling technology environments.
- A growth-oriented mindset, viewing technology decisions through a commercial and product lens.
- Confidence operating at executive level, influencing senior stakeholders with clarity and pragmatism.
- A strategic thinker who understands how platform choices shape long-term product capability and delivery speed.
- A leader who challenges assumptions, makes difficult decisions and operates close to the work.
- Platform improvements directly increase engineering velocity and product delivery.
- Growth in teams and users does not create disproportionate technical complexity.
- Architectural modernisation that happens safely and incrementally.
- Technical decisions are transparent and grounded in measurable outcomes.
- Executive stakeholders clearly understand trade-offs and direction.
This is an amazing opportunity for a technically strong Head of Software Engineering to join a well-established technology at a moment of exciting growth. Please reply with your CV or call Simon for more details.
Head of Software Engineering in Slough employer: Burns Sheehan
Contact Detail:
Burns Sheehan Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals that could get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s platform and products. Understand their architecture and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their evolution. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re the one they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications this way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Software Engineering. Highlight your experience with platform evolution and architectural design, as well as any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate how you’ve improved engineering velocity or simplified systems in previous roles. This helps us see the impact you can bring to our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story. Explain why you're passionate about this role and how your vision aligns with our goals at StudySmarter. We love seeing candidates who are excited about shaping the future of our platform!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Burns Sheehan
✨Know Your Architecture
Make sure you have a solid understanding of platform architecture and how it impacts product delivery. Be ready to discuss your experience with evolving platforms and simplifying systems, as this will show your hands-on technical credibility.
✨Speak Their Language
When communicating with executive stakeholders, use clear, business-focused language. Prepare to explain technical trade-offs in a way that highlights their impact on growth and efficiency, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss how you foster a high-agency culture within teams. Share examples of how you've enabled growth without adding unnecessary complexity, as this aligns with the company's goals for sustainable scaling.
✨Embrace AI and Data-Driven Mindsets
Since the company is investing heavily in AI capabilities, come equipped with ideas on how to embed an AI-forward mindset into platform operations. Discuss any relevant experiences where you've successfully integrated AI into engineering processes.