At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop engineering teams to deliver innovative software solutions.
- Company: Join Darktrace, a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cybersecurity while leading talented teams.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading large-scale software engineering organisations.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Darktrace is a global leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats every day. Darktrace was built on a genuinely differentiated idea: that Adaptive AI could detect and respond to novel, real-time cyber threats. Today, our customers depend on us to stay ahead.
At Darktrace, we are energized by that responsibility. We work across teams and rally around a shared goal. We own outcomes end to end - step in, step up and see things through without waiting to be asked. We make decisions with urgency, say the hard thing, and hold each other to high standards with care and directness. We move first and learn fast anticipating where our customers are going next, continuously challenging ourselves. We invest in the skills, learning and opportunities that help people deliver at the level their roles demand, and reward the aptitude and curiosity to grow beyond them.
Job Description: As the VP of Software Engineering, you will lead the execution and delivery of software development initiatives across the engineering organisation. Working closely with senior leadership, you will be responsible for building high-performing teams, driving engineering excellence, and ensuring the successful delivery of products and services that create measurable customer and business value.
What will I be doing: You will provide leadership across multiple engineering teams, translating company objectives into clear priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans. Partnering closely with Product, Design, Security, Customer Success, and other business functions, you will ensure teams remain aligned and focused on delivering high-quality outcomes. Please note as a VP of Engineering you would be expected to be in office most of the time.
- Leading and developing multiple engineering teams, creating alignment around priorities, objectives, and delivery outcomes.
- Driving the successful execution of engineering initiatives, ensuring products and features are delivered with quality, predictability, and efficiency.
- Contributing to engineering strategy, organisational planning, and technology direction to support long-term business goals.
- Building and scaling high-performing teams through hiring, coaching, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Establishing operational excellence through effective processes, metrics, and delivery frameworks that improve efficiency and reliability.
- Fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
In addition to organisational leadership, you will play an important role in supporting architectural and technical decision-making, balancing innovation with scalability, maintainability, security, and commercial priorities. You will communicate engineering priorities, risks, progress, and outcomes across the organisation, while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs and ensuring teams deliver solutions that create lasting value.
What experience do I need: We are seeking an experienced engineering leader with a proven track record of leading multiple engineering teams and delivering complex software products at scale. You will have successfully built and developed high-performing organisations, with experience leading engineering managers and growing future leaders.
- Significant experience leading large-scale software engineering organisations.
- A strong blend of strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Experience driving organisational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong analytical, data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Experience managing budgets, resource planning, and organisational growth.
You will also possess a deep understanding of software engineering principles and best practices, along with experience defining engineering metrics and using data to improve delivery performance. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential, as is the ability to influence and drive alignment across both technical and non-technical stakeholders. A customer-centric mindset, coupled with a passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing engineering talent, will be key to success in this role.
As a growing business strengthening its governance and controls, this role plays a part in supporting high standards of integrity and accountability.
VP of Engineering employer: Darktrace Ltd.
Darktrace Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from a culture that prioritises collaboration and continuous learning, with ample opportunities for professional growth through conferences and hands-on projects. Join us to be part of a pioneering team at the forefront of cybersecurity, where your contributions directly impact global security efforts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP of Engineering
✨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 Darktrace Ltd. 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 Darktrace Ltd..
✨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 Darktrace Ltd..
✨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 Darktrace Ltd. 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 VP of Engineering
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 Darktrace Ltd..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Darktrace Ltd. 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 Darktrace Ltd.
✨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 Darktrace Ltd. 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.
