At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering strategy for a high-growth SaaS platform and elevate engineering standards.
- Company: Dynamic enterprise SaaS organisation with a focus on innovation and growth.
- Benefits: £100,000 base salary, 30% bonus, £6,500 car allowance, and hybrid work model.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by building a world-class engineering capability in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in enterprise SaaS and strong cloud-native expertise required.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of engineering with executive backing and meaningful investment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
Permanent | £100,000 base + 30% bonus + £6,500 car allowance | Hybrid – Manchester
Are you ready to build something that actually matters? This is a pivotal, permanent leadership opportunity within a high-growth, enterprise SaaS organisation entering a defining stage of its evolution. The platform is established, profitable and scaling internationally - but the next phase is about engineering maturity, architectural clarity, and building a world-class capability that can deliver at genuine scale. This is not a caretaker role. It is a build-and-elevate mandate.
The Opportunity
You will take ownership of the engineering strategy behind a complex, high-transaction SaaS platform serving enterprise clients across multiple markets. The product estate is sophisticated, commercially critical and already embedded at scale - but now requires sharper architectural direction, stronger engineering standards and a leader who can unite delivery, platform and product into one high-performing engine. You will work directly with executive leadership to define a clear, modern roadmap - balancing innovation with reliability, speed with stability.
What You’ll Be Accountable For
- Defining and executing a modern, cloud-first technical strategy for a multi-tenant SaaS platform
- Elevating engineering standards across DevOps, CI/CD, automation, security and observability
- Leading and developing distributed engineering teams (20+ engineers across UK and nearshore)
- Driving architectural consistency across .NET, JavaScript/TypeScript and SQL-based systems
- Embedding data-driven engineering performance (DORA metrics, delivery KPIs, continuous improvement)
- Managing third-party delivery partners with clear accountability and measurable outcomes
- Creating a culture of ownership, technical curiosity and commercial awareness
What We’re Looking For
- Proven Head of Engineering / Director / VP background within enterprise SaaS
- Experience leading engineering transformation, not just maintaining it
- Strong cloud-native expertise (AWS or Azure)
- A leader who can operate at board level but still challenge architectural decisions when needed
- Deep understanding of DevOps, automation pipelines and modern delivery practices
- A hands-on technical foundation - credible with senior engineers
Why This Role Stands Out
This is a business that values engineering as a competitive advantage, not a cost centre. There is executive backing, real investment and the appetite to do things properly. The bonus structure is meaningful. The remit is genuine. The scope is broad. The impact is visible. If you’re looking for a role where you can build, elevate and leave a lasting technical footprint within a serious SaaS organisation - this is worth a conversation. Confidential enquiries welcome.
Head of Software Engineering employer: djr
Contact Detail:
djr Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can get you in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their products, culture, and recent news. We want you to walk in with confidence, showing them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Talk about how you’ve driven engineering transformations and built high-performing teams. We need to see that you can unite delivery, platform, and product into one powerhouse!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Software Engineering role. Highlight your leadership in engineering transformation and cloud-native expertise to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about building something that matters. Share specific examples of how you've elevated engineering standards and led teams to success in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your hands-on technical foundation. We want to see your credibility with senior engineers, so mention your experience with .NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, and SQL-based systems.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at djr
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like AWS or Azure. Brush up on your knowledge of .NET, JavaScript/TypeScript, and SQL systems, as you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of these during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully led engineering transformations in the past. Think of specific examples where you’ve united teams and driven architectural consistency, as this will resonate with their need for a strong leader.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Strategy
Since this role involves defining a modern technical strategy, come prepared with ideas on how you would elevate engineering standards and implement cloud-first strategies. This shows that you’re not just a caretaker but someone who can build and elevate.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decisions
Familiarise yourself with DORA metrics and delivery KPIs, as they are crucial for this role. Be ready to explain how you’ve used data to drive performance improvements in your previous roles, which will highlight your ability to embed a culture of continuous improvement.