At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of scalable backend systems and mentor a team of engineers.
- Company: A growing tech business focused on innovation and AI integration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £70k, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on modern AI practices and career growth.
- Why this job: Combine hands-on coding with leadership while shaping the future of AI in engineering.
- Qualifications: Expert C++ skills and experience in leading backend projects and teams.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
A growing technology business is hiring a Lead Software Engineer (C++) to take ownership of its backend engineering function and help shape the next phase of its platform.
This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone with deep C++ experience who enjoys combining technical delivery with mentoring, architecture and modern AI adoption.
You'll work closely with Product, Front End and R&D teams to improve platform performance, engineering quality and development velocity.
- Role: Lead Backend Engineer
- What you'll be doing
- Lead the development and evolution of scalable backend systems and APIs.
- Take technical ownership of backend projects from planning through to production delivery.
- Work closely with Product Managers, Architects and Engineers to define technical requirements.
- Lead and mentor a team of backend engineers, supporting their development and technical progression.
- Drive improvements across architecture, performance, reliability and observability.
- Identify bottlenecks and optimise database queries, services and system performance.
- Evaluate and implement AI-powered tools to improve engineering productivity and software quality.
- Help shape the adoption of LLMs, AI‑assisted development and modern AI engineering practices across the team.
- Lead sprint planning, stand‑ups and retrospectives alongside Product and Delivery teams.
- Champion secure coding, testing, code review and engineering best practice.
- What you'll need
- Strong commercial experience as a Lead Backend Engineer, Senior Backend Engineer or similar technical leadership role.
- Expert‑level C++ experience with strong knowledge of the standard library, STL containers and algorithms.
- Experience designing and maintaining scalable backend services and APIs.
- Strong understanding of database systems and performance optimisation.
- Previous experience leading, mentoring or coaching software engineers.
- Experience working within Agile engineering environments.
- Hands‑on experience developing, integrating or deploying AI or Machine Learning‑powered solutions.
- Familiarity with LLMs, AI‑assisted development tools and modern AI frameworks.
- Understanding of AI architecture including prompt engineering, vector databases, RAG and AI service integration.
- Experience evaluating and introducing AI tools that improve developer productivity.
- Strong problem‑solving skills with a proactive and pragmatic approach to engineering.
- Nice to have Experience contributing to hiring and onboarding technical teams.
- Exposure to hardware‑integrated software, access control, security or workforce management platforms.
- Experience improving engineering observability, reliability and secure development practices.
This role would suit an experienced C++ engineer who wants to combine hands‑on development with technical leadership and play a key role in introducing modern AI capabilities into an established engineering environment.
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Lead Software Developer (C++) in Birmingham employer: Digital Waffle
Digital Waffle is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration in the energy sector. Employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, competitive compensation, and a commitment to sustainability, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the UK's critical infrastructure. Join us to be part of a team that values your expertise and empowers you to make a meaningful impact on the future of energy security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Developer (C++) in Birmingham
✨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 Digital Waffle 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 Digital Waffle.
✨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 Digital Waffle.
✨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 Digital Waffle 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 Software Developer (C++) in Birmingham
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 Digital Waffle.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Digital Waffle 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 Digital Waffle
✨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 Digital Waffle 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.
