Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich

Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich

Ipswich Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Fred. Olsen Limited

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and scale high-performing engineering teams across diverse industries.
  • Company: Globally operating organisation with a strong entrepreneurial culture.
  • Benefits: Autonomy to shape strategy, travel opportunities, and a commitment to diversity.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering innovative solutions in eCommerce and renewable energy.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in software engineering and strong technical background.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

We’re looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking Head of Software Engineering to lead and scale high‑performing engineering teams across the Fred. Olsen group. This is a strategic leadership role with the opportunity to shape the future of software delivery across a diverse portfolio spanning eCommerce, renewable energy solutions, and business‑critical applications.

Reporting directly to the CTO, you’ll lead a shared service function delivering software engineering, automated testing, and low‑code development across multiple businesses. You’ll play a key role in defining the technical vision, driving engineering excellence, and ensuring the delivery of secure, scalable, and high‑quality software products. Working closely with teams across AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Service, and Delivery, as well as external technology partners, you’ll ensure consistent standards and best practices across all development activity.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Setting the strategic direction, priorities, and OKRs for the software engineering function
  • Leading the design, development, and delivery of high‑quality, secure, and reliable software
  • Owning and evolving the technical strategy, including low‑code and citizen development initiatives
  • Building and scaling high‑performing teams through hiring, mentoring, and talent development
  • Driving continuous improvement across engineering practices, tools, and technologies
  • Managing the balance between internal capability and external partners
  • Ensuring high‑velocity delivery while maintaining quality and performance standards
  • Collaborating with senior stakeholders across the business to align technology with commercial goals
  • Bringing external insight and innovation into the organisation through industry engagement

What We’re Looking For

  • Proven experience leading and scaling software engineering teams in complex environments
  • Strong technical background across software engineering, automated testing, and cloud platforms (ideally Azure)
  • Deep understanding of Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban), CI/CD, and Site Reliability Engineering
  • Experience developing and supporting software for 24/7/365 environments
  • Commercial mindset with the ability to balance customer needs and business objectives
  • Strong leadership skills with experience managing distributed teams and mixed resource models
  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior level
  • Strategic thinker who can translate business challenges into technical solutions

Nice to Have

  • Experience within the travel, cruise, or renewable energy sectors
  • Exposure to low‑code platforms and citizen development approaches

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity to take on a senior leadership role within a well‑established, globally operating organisation with a strong entrepreneurial culture. You’ll have the autonomy to shape engineering strategy, build impactful teams, and deliver innovative solutions across multiple industries. Travel to other locations may be required as part of the role.

Our Commitment

We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity. We’re committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process.

Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich employer: Fred. Olsen Limited

At Fred. Olsen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. As the Head of Software Engineering, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative projects across diverse sectors, while benefiting from a strong commitment to employee growth and development. With a focus on collaboration and strategic vision, you'll be empowered to shape the future of software delivery in a globally operating organisation that values entrepreneurial spirit and diversity.
Fred. Olsen Limited

Contact Detail:

Fred. Olsen Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Head of Software Engineering role.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can highlight your past projects, leadership experiences, and technical skills. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've driven engineering excellence and managed teams in complex environments. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who can help us shape the future of software delivery. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich

Leadership Skills
Software Engineering
Automated Testing
Cloud Platforms (Azure)
Agile Methodologies (Scrum/Kanban)
CI/CD
Site Reliability Engineering
Technical Strategy Development
Team Building and Mentoring
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Strategic Thinking
Commercial Mindset
Continuous Improvement

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 experience, technical expertise, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to drive engineering excellence.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this strategic leadership role. Share your vision for software delivery and how you plan to shape the future of our engineering teams. Be authentic and let your personality shine through!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams and deliver quality software. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact and show us what you can bring to the table.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily track your progress!

How to prepare for a job interview at Fred. Olsen Limited

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

As a Head of Software Engineering, you need to demonstrate a strong technical background. Brush up on your knowledge of software engineering principles, automated testing, and cloud platforms like Azure. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role requires excellent leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've built and scaled high-performing teams. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you mentored your team through them. Highlight your experience managing distributed teams and mixed resource models.

✨Align with Business Goals

Understand the commercial mindset required for this position. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced customer needs with business objectives in past projects. Show that you can translate business challenges into effective technical solutions.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Strong stakeholder management is key. Think of instances where you've influenced senior-level decisions or collaborated with various teams. Be ready to share how you ensure consistent standards and best practices across development activities while engaging with external technology partners.

Head of Software Engineering in Ipswich
Fred. Olsen Limited
Location: Ipswich

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