At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering on a high-volume online marketplace and drive major tech transformations.
- Company: Dynamic scale-up in the tech industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting challenges with AI workflows and large-scale marketplace operations.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge project and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in AWS, TypeScript, Python, and building service-based platforms.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
Location and basis: Contract, outside IR35. Starting as soon as possible. Fully flexible working: home, office, or a mix, your call. We just ask that you're based within 50 miles of Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester or London. Applications from outside these areas won't be considered.
The engagement: You'll lead engineering on a high-volume online marketplace, part-way through a major, multi-year technology transformation. There's a live migration to AWS and a full version 2 build underway. The current client-facing platform runs on PHP and Laravel, and the target is a service-based architecture on AWS built in TypeScript, JavaScript and Python. You'll set technical direction across that shift while keeping delivery moving. You'll need to be hands-on and broad: someone who understands cloud, architecture, data, auth, front-end and APIs, and has built service-based platforms in AWS before. In an older structure this person would have carried an architect title. This is a demanding, fast-paced environment. You'll need to be productive quickly without a long ramp.
The platform: This is a genuinely large-scale marketplace. Very few platforms handle a product catalogue or transaction volume at this level. The roadmap includes agentic AI workflows built into the platform, retail media integrated directly into the marketplace, and infrastructure work targeting cost and performance at high volume. A lot of this is being attempted at volumes that have rarely been tested in a marketplace before, so the work leans research-led rather than routine.
Who this suits: This is a fast-paced scale-up environment on a complex platform. You'll do well here if you think strategically rather than transactionally, and you can advocate for technical change and bring people with you.
What we need:
- The essentials: Principal-level engineering breadth across cloud, architecture, data, auth, front-end and APIs
- Track record building service-based platforms in AWS, with infrastructure as code (Terraform or CDK)
- You write TypeScript, JavaScript and Python, and can read and work with PHP (Laravel)
- You set and hold engineering standards, and communicate decisions with authority
- Comfortable leading delivery in a fast-moving, complex environment
- Comfortable working in English, written and spoken
- Nice to have:
- Retail or e-commerce background
- Experience leading through a major re-architecture or cloud migration
- GenAI or agentic workflows in your engineering practice
Ready to apply? Submit your application below.
Tech Lead (AWS / TypeScript / Python) in Manchester employer: hedgehog lab
As an AI Transformation Architect, you'll join a forward-thinking company that prioritises innovation and employee autonomy. With a flexible hybrid working environment across major UK cities, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of AI development while enjoying generous benefits like 28 days of annual leave, wellbeing support, and dedicated Impact Days for personal growth. This is a place where your contributions are valued, and you can truly make a difference in both client projects and internal practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Tech Lead (AWS / TypeScript / Python) in Manchester
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab.
✨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 hedgehog lab 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 Tech Lead (AWS / TypeScript / Python) in Manchester
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 hedgehog lab.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at hedgehog lab 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 hedgehog lab
✨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 hedgehog lab 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.
