At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic engineering team while coding and designing modern payment systems.
- Company: Fast-growing payments startup with ambitious scaling plans.
- Benefits: Up to £200,000 salary, equity, performance bonuses, and flexible working.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with clear path to CTO/Co-Founder responsibilities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payment infrastructure and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Java development and proven experience in payments.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 200000 £ per year.
This would suit a hands on Head of Engineering / Lead Developer who is looking to step up to CTO.
- London – Hybrid
- Java, Payments, Microservices, Spring Boot, AWS
- The Company
This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on CTO to join a fast-growing payments startup in the market.
With ambitious scaling plans and a growing team of engineers, they are building modern payment infrastructure serving institutional and enterprise clients.
You'll own the technical vision while staying deeply involved in coding, architecture, and delivery.
Competitive salary, equity package, and top benefits in place.
- What You Will Get
- Up to £200,000 basic + equity depending on experience
- Significant equity stake in the business
- Performance bonus
- Comprehensive health, pension and protective benefits
- Flexible working and hybrid arrangement
- Clear path to CTO/Co-Founder level responsibility
- Opportunity to shape technical culture and hiring
- Collaborative, fast-paced founding team
What You Will Do
- Lead a growing engineering team (currently 5-8) while remaining hands‑on in code
- Design and architect modern payment processing systems and infrastructure
- Build robust, scalable microservices for payments, settlements, and compliance
- Mentor and develop engineering talent; set technical standards and best practices
- Own end‑to‑end delivery from concept through production
- Collaborate with product, compliance, and finance on payments domain
- Drive technical roadmap and technology decisions
- Ensure system reliability, security, and PCI-DSS compliance
What You Need
- 10+ years Java development with experience in payments
- Proven hands‑on experience building payment systems, settlement platforms, or financial infrastructure
- Strong expertise in microservices, Spring Boot, REST APIs, event‑driven architecture
- Deep understanding of payments domain (FIX, SWIFT, payment rails, settlement, reconciliation)
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred), Docker, Kubernetes
- Strong team leadership and hiring experience; ability to build and mentor engineers
- Comfortable with regulatory/compliance requirements (PCI-DSS, AML/KYC mindset)
- Excellent communication skills across technical and non‑technical stakeholders
- A right to work in the UK without sponsorship
Bonus Points
- Cryptocurrency or digital asset payments experience
- Startup/scale-up experience
- Experience with real‑time payment systems or instant settlement
- Find Out More
- If you would like to have a confidential conversation and find out more about this
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
CTO - Hands on employer: Harrington Starr
Join a leading high-volume futures trading organisation in London, where you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability of critical trading and clearing platforms. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, this company offers competitive daily rates and long-term contract opportunities, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the capital markets sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CTO - Hands on
✨Get Involved in Tech Transfer Events
Tech transfer is all about networking, so make sure you're attending industry conferences and seminars related to technology commercialization. Events like the AUTM Annual Meeting or local innovation workshops are clutch for meeting key players and learning what's trending—plus, you might just bump into someone from Harrington Starr!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Having a solid portfolio can really make you stand out. Highlight any projects where you successfully brought a technology to market or improved a process. Sharing case studies or insights on platforms like LinkedIn can catch the eye of recruiters at Harrington Starr, showing them you’ve got the chops for the job.
✨Leverage University Connections
Many universities have strong tech transfer offices—connect with them! They often have ties to industry and can help you get your foot in the door. Plus, you might find openings or internship opportunities that lead to this full-time role at places like Harrington Starr.
✨Engage with Online Communities
Join forums or online communities focused on tech transfer and commercialization. Platforms like ResearchGate or industry-specific Slack channels are great for connecting with professionals, discussing trends, and possibly learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream. Remember, your next opportunity could be just a message away!
We think you need these skills to ace CTO - Hands on
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Transfer Know-How:In the tech transfer and commercialization world, it's crucial to highlight your understanding of intellectual property, patents, and market analysis. Make sure your CV includes relevant projects or experiences where you successfully navigated these areas. Any certifications in commercialisation would also give you a serious edge!
Tailor Your Documents for the Role:Your cover letter should reflect not just your enthusiasm for the position at Harrington Starr, but also your knowledge of current trends in technology-transfer. Discuss specific cases where you've contributed to commercialising innovations or enhancing research outcomes—this will show you’re ready to tackle challenges head-on!
Quantify Your Achievements:In this field, numbers count! Whether it's successful licensing deals, funding acquired for projects, or percentage increases in collaboration outcomes, include these metrics in your CV. They not only make your accomplishments more tangible but also demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Demonstrate Your Business Acumen:Understanding the business side is just as crucial as the tech side! When writing your application, weave in examples that illustrate your strategic thinking and your role in negotiations or partnerships. This balance of skills is what will set you apart for a full-time role at Harrington Starr.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Demonstrate Your Tech Knowledge
Brush up on key technologies and trends in technology transfer and commercialization. Be ready to showcase your understanding of licensing agreements and the innovation lifecycle, as well as any specific tools or software used in the field.
✨Show Your Business Acumen
This role isn't just about tech; it's also about understanding the market. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach bringing a technology to market, including strategies for assessing commercial viability and potential partnerships.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you'd approach real-world challenges in technology transfer, like negotiating a deal or handling stakeholder concerns—this can help us get a sense of your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Be ready to share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past, particularly in scenarios that involved tech developers and business strategists coming together.
