Lead Full Stack Developer in Edinburgh

Lead Full Stack Developer in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to develop high-performance, scalable web applications using cutting-edge technologies.
  • Company: Join Couch Heroes, an innovative game studio focused on creativity and player connection.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a remote-first culture that values autonomy and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of gaming while mentoring a passionate team in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in software development with leadership experience; expertise in modern tech stacks.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

We’re looking for a Lead Full-Stack Developer to take the reins of our web engineering team and drive the development of high-performance, scalable, and secure full-stack applications. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of architecture, development, and team mentorship.

You’ll own our full-stack systems from backend services and cloud infrastructure to frontend interfaces, while guiding a growing team of engineers. You will report to the CTO and collaborate closely with the Gameplay, UI/UX, and Business teams to ensure that web experiences across our platform meet both technical and user goals. This is your chance to shape architecture, codebase, and team culture as we scale.

Your Role

  • Technical Leadership & Architecture
    • Architect and lead the development of web applications using Golang, TypeScript, Node.js, React, and Next.js.
    • Design and implement scalable backend services with Express.js, MongoDB, Redis, and WebSocket.
    • Own CI/CD pipelines using Azure Pipelines, Docker, and Kubernetes; ensure reliability and best practices in code management and deployment.
    • Optimize for performance, reliability, and scalability across all layers of the stack.
  • Frontend Engineering
    • Build polished, responsive, and dynamic UIs using React, Next.js, TailwindCSS, and Redux Toolkit.
    • Collaborate with UI/UX to ensure great design-to-implementation handoff and user-centric workflows.
  • Mentorship & Team Enablement
    • Lead a small team of engineers through mentoring, code reviews, and technical planning.
    • Define and uphold code standards, architecture decisions, and agile processes.
    • Help foster a culture of ownership, curiosity, and continuous learning.

Must-Haves

  • 6+ years of professional experience in software development.
  • 2+ years in a senior or lead role, with hands-on team leadership experience.
  • Deep expertise with:
    • Golang, TypeScript, Node.js, Express.js, MongoDB, Redis, WebSocket
    • React, Next.js, TailwindCSS, Redux Toolkit
    • Docker, Kubernetes (AKS), Nginx
    • Azure Cloud services (App Services, AKS, Storage), Cloudflare, OAuth2 / JWT
    • CI/CD pipelines, GitHub, Azure Repos, Jest

Nice-to-Haves

  • Familiarity with real-time multiplayer architectures or game backend services.
  • Contributions to open-source projects or personal side projects you are proud of.
  • Experience working in gaming, Web3, or social platforms.

About You

  • You lead by example, hands-on when needed, empowering always.
  • You trust your team but are always present to support, unblock, and mentor.
  • You love building systems that last, and you take pride in readable, maintainable code.
  • You’re comfortable working cross-functionally and translating vision into tech decisions.
  • You enjoy solving tough problems with a blend of logic, creativity, and pragmatism.

About Couch Heroes

Couch Heroes is a growing, international game studio building a modular, social-first MMO world designed for creativity, expression, and deep player connection. We’re crafting a platform where players shape stories, collaborate on content, and explore a constantly evolving universe together.

We’re remote-first, legally based in the UK, and scaling operations to support our multi-year roadmap. We value autonomy, curiosity, and collaborative ownership and we’re always looking for people who love games and building great teams.

Lead Full Stack Developer in Edinburgh employer: Couch Heroes

Couch Heroes is an exceptional employer for a Lead Full-Stack Developer, offering a dynamic remote-first work environment that fosters autonomy and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and continuous learning, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to innovative gaming projects. The company's commitment to a supportive culture and its focus on building a modular, social-first MMO world make it an exciting place for those passionate about technology and gaming.

C

Contact Details:

Couch Heroes Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Full Stack Developer in Edinburgh

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Couch Heroes or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Couch Heroes.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Couch Heroes.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Couch Heroes that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Full Stack Developer in Edinburgh

Golang
TypeScript
Node.js
Express.js
MongoDB
Redis
WebSocket

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Couch Heroes.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Couch Heroes and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Couch Heroes

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Couch Heroes uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.