At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a small engineering team while driving accountability and delivery.
- Company: Established tech business focused on product and data-driven solutions.
- Benefits: High autonomy, potential for permanent role, and direct access to leadership.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for growth and influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering and make a meaningful impact from day one.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading teams, strong JavaScript skills, and full-stack expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Type: Full Time Day Rate Contract with strong potential to transition into a permanent role. We are working with an established product and data-driven technology business looking for a hands-on Head of Engineering to lead a small engineering team through an important period of change and growth. This role needs someone who can bring structure, momentum and strong leadership to the team while remaining technically hands-on and capable of leading from the front when needed.
You will need to earn trust quickly, challenge where appropriate, make decisions confidently and keep delivery moving forward. You will work closely with senior leadership and play a key role in shaping engineering standards, improving ways of working and creating better alignment across engineering, product and delivery. This is not a role for someone who wants to sit above the detail. The team needs a leader who can step into difficult conversations, drive accountability and bring focus when priorities or opinions pull in different directions.
The current environment is heavily focused around modern JavaScript and full-stack engineering, including Node.js, API architecture and cloud-native delivery.
The Role
You will lead a small engineering team across product development, cloud-native services and client-facing solutions. The business is looking for someone who can balance leadership with hands-on technical involvement. Leadership will be the larger part of the role, but it is important that you can still contribute technically and demonstrate strong engineering judgment through hands-on involvement where needed. The expectation is roughly a 70:30 or 60:40 split in favour of leadership. You will also partner closely with senior stakeholders and help create a stronger operational rhythm across engineering delivery.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a small engineering team
- Drive accountability and keep delivery moving forward
- Make clear decisions and bring alignment across the team
- Gain the respect of the engineering team through both leadership and technical contribution
- Bring structure and focus to engineering planning and execution
- Challenge unproductive behaviours and keep teams aligned on priorities
- Work closely with senior leadership to raise concerns, unblock issues and improve outcomes
- Provide technical leadership across a modern JavaScript/TypeScript stack
- Contribute hands-on where needed across architecture, development, APIs and cloud-native services
- Help shape the future direction of engineering within the business
- Balance engineering quality with pragmatic delivery outcomes and momentum
About You
- Proven experience leading engineering teams within product or SaaS environments
- Deep expertise in JavaScript, ideally including TypeScript
- Strong full-stack engineering experience, including Node.js and API architecture
- Comfortable contributing technically within a modern cloud-native environment
- Comfortable leading difficult conversations and challenging constructively when needed
- Able to establish trust quickly with both engineers and stakeholders
- Strong decision-making skills and confidence operating in evolving environments
- Pragmatic mindset with the ability to balance engineering quality with delivery momentum
- Process-driven with the ability to create focus and avoid unnecessary tangents
- Comfortable balancing technical leadership with people leadership
- Confident operating in technical discussions with senior engineers and stakeholders
- Comfortable working within small, collaborative teams with minimal hierarchy
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience working closely with founders, CTOs or senior leadership teams
Nice to Have
- Experience with Google Cloud Platform
- Experience with modern deployment platforms such as Vercel
- Exposure to geospatial, GIS or mapping products
- Interest or experience in open source technologies or communities
Why Join?
- Opportunity to shape and influence an evolving engineering function
- High level of autonomy and visibility within the business
- Chance to make a meaningful impact quickly
- Collaborative, low-hierarchy environment with direct access to leadership
- Small team environment where you can influence engineering direction from day one
- Work closely with experienced founders and senior leadership
- Strong opportunity to transition into a permanent leadership role
Head of Engineering in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: hedgehog lab
Join a forward-thinking technology business as the Head of Engineering, where you will have the opportunity to lead a small, dynamic team through a pivotal phase of growth. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and autonomy, this role offers a unique chance to shape engineering standards and make a significant impact from day one. The company fosters a low-hierarchy environment that encourages direct access to leadership, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in a leadership role. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on discussing your hands-on experience with JavaScript, Node.js, and cloud-native services. Share specific examples of how you’ve led teams through challenges and delivered results.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for tough conversations. As a Head of Engineering, you’ll need to step into difficult discussions. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, so you can challenge constructively and drive accountability when it matters most.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re all about finding the right fit, and applying directly gives you a better chance to showcase your personality and passion for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical skills, especially in JavaScript and cloud-native environments. We want to see how you can bring structure and momentum to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership approach. Share examples of how you've led teams through change and how you handle difficult conversations. We’re looking for someone who can earn trust quickly and drive accountability.
Be Hands-On:Don’t shy away from mentioning your technical contributions! We value leaders who can still roll up their sleeves and get involved. Talk about your experience with full-stack engineering and how you’ve contributed to projects in a hands-on way.
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. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at hedgehog lab
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your JavaScript and Node.js skills. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with full-stack engineering and cloud-native delivery. The interviewers will want to see that you can not only lead but also dive into the technical details when necessary.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through change and growth. Highlight your ability to earn trust quickly and drive accountability. Think about specific situations where you had to challenge unproductive behaviours or make tough decisions, and be ready to share those stories.
✨Align with Business Goals
Understand the company's vision and how the engineering team fits into it. Be prepared to discuss how you can help shape engineering standards and improve ways of working. This shows that you're not just focused on the tech but also on the bigger picture.
✨Practice Difficult Conversations
Since this role involves leading tough discussions, think about scenarios where you've had to navigate conflicting opinions or priorities. Practise articulating your approach to these conversations, as demonstrating your comfort in challenging situations will be key to earning respect from both engineers and stakeholders.
