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- Tasks: Lead a team of engineers and deliver impactful software projects.
- Company: Join an innovative startup transforming critical industries with AI-powered solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, share options, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in essential industries while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 3+ years leading engineering teams and a passion for developing talent.
- Other info: Diverse team culture welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, including those with career breaks.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We live in a world that runs on physical industries like energy, logistics, and manufacturing. These sectors are essential to our economy and daily lives, yet they are held back by inefficiencies, fragile legacy systems, and decades-old ways of working. This is not just a business problem; it is a societal one. When grids fail, supply chains stall, or factories falter, entire economies are disrupted. These companies face unique, complex challenges that typical software was never designed to solve. Cogna was founded to change this. Our mission is to give critical industries their own AI-powered Software Factory: a way to build and deploy bespoke digital tools that solve pressing operational challenges. Since our launch in May 2023, we’ve seen incredible customer traction and revenue growth. We’re backed by leading VCs, including Notion Capital and Hoxton Ventures, and we’re building a world-class team to take on one of the most important challenges of our time.
Tackling challenges at this scale takes people who are curious, adaptable, and motivated by impact. If our mission resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if your experience doesn’t match every requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the industries and societies we serve.
Overview
We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to lead a team of 3-6 talented engineers while spending more than half your time doing deeply technical work. You will be responsible for building high-performing teams, shaping technical direction, and ensuring delivery of impactful projects. You will be part of an all-star early team, building the future of software.
What you’ll do
- Lead and develop a team of 3-6 engineers, providing coaching, feedback, and career growth opportunities.
- Own delivery of technically complex, high-impact projects, ensuring quality and scalability while balancing trade-offs under pressure.
- Contribute to architecture and systems design across multiple product areas, bringing clarity in ambiguous situations.
- Write and ship high-quality, efficient, and reliable code that is extendible, scalable, and observable.
- Take ideas from experimentation to shipping.
- Build and help foster an engineering culture that encourages innovation and high-quality code standards, while shipping fast.
- Collaborate closely with other teams to build world-class software.
- Work closely with Product to help define the roadmap and set objectives.
What we’re looking for
- At least 3 years of relevant work experience leading and hiring engineering teams.
- The drive to work at an early-stage startup.
- You have a “buck stops here” attitude.
- You have a high level of agency and are comfortable working with high levels of ambiguity.
- You enjoy the unique challenge of juggling being deeply technical with supporting others.
- You’re passionate about developing engineers from intern to staff level.
- You’re highly proficient in some of the following: modern typed Python, Go, modern frontend development, docker, PostgreSQL, code analysis, compilers, or domain specific languages.
- You have worked in complex large codebases.
- You’re a creative experimentalist at heart.
- You can work closely with a Product Manager to understand customer requirements.
Special note about career breaks: We accept candidates with career breaks and CV gaps. Life happens, we get it. Please apply anyway!
What we offer
Competitive salary and share option plan.
Lead Software Engineer (Hiring Immediately) in London employer: Cogna
Contact Detail:
Cogna Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer (Hiring Immediately) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local meetups. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than a CV ever could.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. We all know that confidence is key, so the more you rehearse, the better you'll perform when it counts!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates who resonate with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer (Hiring Immediately) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you write your application, let your enthusiasm for our mission shine through. We want to see how your values align with tackling the challenges in critical industries. Share why you're excited about the role and how you can contribute!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight relevant experiences that showcase your leadership and technical skills. We’re looking for someone who can juggle being deeply technical while supporting others, so don’t shy away from sharing specific examples of your past work.
Be Authentic: Don’t worry about ticking every box in the job description. If you think you’d be a great fit, apply anyway! We value diverse backgrounds and experiences, so be yourself and let us know what unique perspectives you bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cogna
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Cogna's mission and values. Understand their focus on AI-powered solutions for critical industries. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll be expected to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on coaching, feedback, and fostering growth. Be ready to discuss how you balance technical work with team development.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Brush up on your skills in modern typed Python, Go, and any other relevant technologies mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss complex codebases you've worked on and how you approach architecture and systems design.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in ambiguous situations. Think of scenarios where you've had to juggle multiple priorities or drive meaningful change. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.