Engineering Manager - Payments (BACS & Chaps) in London

Engineering Manager - Payments (BACS & Chaps) in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
ClearBank

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead teams to build and operate critical UK payment systems like BACS and CHAPS.
  • Company: Join ClearBank, a tech-driven bank transforming banking infrastructure.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment focused on trust, transparency, and meaningful outcomes.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the fintech world while leading innovative engineering teams.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading engineering teams and understanding of distributed systems.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

About Us

We’re Clear Bank – a technology-enabled bank with a mission to transform banking infrastructure.

Our cloud‑native platform powers payments and banking services for financial institutions, fintechs and regulated clients.

We operate with a strong focus on trust, collaboration and delivering meaningful outcomes for our clients, creating an environment where teams can innovate and move with pace.

Role Purpose

As an Engineering Manager in our Payments team, you will lead a set of teams responsible for building and operating critical UK payment systems, including BACS, CHAPS and SWIFT.

You will be accountable for delivering reliable, scalable and secure payment capabilities while creating a high-performance environment where engineers can thrive.

This role brings together technical leadership, delivery ownership and people leadership, ensuring both strong outcomes and a collaborative, high‑trust way of working.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver and continuously improve payment services across UK payment rails (BACS, CHAPS, SWIFT).
  • Ensure systems meet high standards for availability, resilience, security and regulatory compliance.
  • Own delivery outcomes in partnership with Product, Technology, Risk and Operations.
  • Lead, coach and develop a team of engineers, supporting both performance and growth.
  • Establish clear priorities and ensure focus on high‑impact outcomes.
  • Drive engineering excellence in system design, testing, deployment and observability.
  • Identify risks and dependencies early, taking action to maintain delivery momentum.
  • Foster strong collaboration across teams, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
  • Own operational performance, including incident management and continuous improvement.
  • Promote a strong ownership mindset across the team for production systems.
  • Success Criteria
  • Payment systems are highly reliable, resilient and meet regulatory and operational expectations.
  • The team consistently delivers high‑quality outcomes aligned to business priorities.
  • Engineers are engaged, growing and performing at a high level.
  • Cross‑functional collaboration is strong, with clear communication and alignment.
  • Continuous improvements are made to system performance, scalability and delivery practices.
  • Required Skills & Experience
  • Experience leading engineering teams in an ambitious technology environment.
  • Strong understanding of distributed systems, APIs and cloud‑native architectures.
  • Knowledge of Dev Ops practices and CI/CD.
  • Proven track record delivering and operating high‑availability production systems.
  • Ability to balance technical depth with delivery focus and pragmatism.
  • Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
  • Experience working in regulated environments or complex operational settings.
  • Ability to build and maintain high‑performing, inclusive and collaborative teams.
  • Strong problem‑solving skills and ownership mindset.
  • Good awareness of agile delivery practices and a pragmatic approach to implementation.
  • Preferred Skills
  • Experience with UK payment schemes (such as BACS, CHAPS and SWIFT).
  • Experience in banking, fintech or payments environments.
  • Familiarity with Azure and modern cloud platforms.
  • Experience with event‑driven architecture and scalable systems.
  • Ways of Working & Culture
  • We succeed as one: collaborate openly, value different perspectives and focus on shared outcomes.
  • We build trust: act with transparency, take ownership and follow through on commitments.
  • We care about outcomes: prioritise meaningful impact over activity.
  • We grow together: seek feedback, learn continuously and support others to develop.
  • Equal Opportunities

Clear Bank is committed to ensuring equal opportunities throughout every stage of the recruitment process.

Clear Bank recognises that diversity is vital to the long‑term success of the business in the communities and markets in which it operates.

Clear Bank is also a firm believer that an inclusive culture fosters greater employee engagement and collaboration.

Clear Bank strives for diversity and inclusion of all forms, including (but not limited to): gender, age, educational and professional background, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief and sexual orientation.

As part of the Company’s commitment to equal employment opportunity, we provide reasonable adjustments, to candidates during the recruitment process, including to individuals with disabilities.

We want to create a safe space that welcomes everyone so please let us know how we can accommodate you.

In case you have any accessibility requirements you can share that with our Talent Acquisition team prior to your interview stage, if applicable.

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ClearBank

Contact Details:

ClearBank Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager - Payments (BACS & Chaps) in London

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like ClearBank. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager - Payments (BACS & Chaps) in London

Leadership
Distributed Systems
APIs
Cloud-Native Architectures
DevOps Practices
CI/CD
High-Availability Production Systems

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to ClearBank.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on ClearBank's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at ClearBank

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with ClearBank.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at ClearBank will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former ClearBank employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.