At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented engineering team while driving technical excellence and innovation.
- Company: Fast-growing global data and technology organisation with a focus on market intelligence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working model, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for career growth and AI-driven practices.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering with leadership experience and strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We're partnering with a fast-growing global data and technology organisation that delivers market intelligence, analytics, and forecasting solutions to customers worldwide. Operating across multiple international markets, the business provides critical data and insights that help organisations make informed commercial decisions, manage risk, and improve performance. As part of an ambitious growth strategy, they are investing heavily in technology, engineering capability, and product innovation.
They are now seeking a Software Engineering Manager to play a key role in shaping the future of their engineering organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on engineering leader who enjoys balancing technical contribution with people leadership. You'll lead a team of talented engineers while remaining actively involved in architecture, software development, technical strategy, and delivery. The role offers the chance to influence technology direction, champion engineering best practice, and help build a modern, high-performing engineering culture.
What You'll Be Doing
- Technical Leadership & Hands-On Engineering (Approx. 60%)
- Contribute directly to core applications, services, data platforms, and shared engineering capabilities.
- Lead architectural discussions, design reviews, and long-term technical planning.
- Define and maintain engineering standards across code quality, testing, security, observability, and performance.
- Drive the adoption of AI-assisted software development practices, including:
- AI-powered code generation and refactoring
- Automated testing and documentation support
- AI-enhanced development workflows and quality assurance
- Coaching engineers on effective and responsible AI usage
- Evaluate and introduce tools, frameworks, and technologies that improve engineering effectiveness and developer experience.
- Identify technical risks and remove delivery blockers.
- Collaborate with senior technical leaders to define scalable architecture patterns and long-term platform strategy.
- Ensure solutions are reliable, scalable, secure, and maintainable.
- Team Leadership & Development (Approx. 40%)
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of software engineers.
- Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, career development conversations, and promotion assessments.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous learning.
- Mentor engineers in:
- System design and architecture
- Engineering best practices
- Technical problem-solving
- AI literacy and productivity techniques
- Partner with Product, Design, Data, and other business stakeholders to deliver customer-focused outcomes.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, workforce planning, and organisational growth initiatives.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years' experience as a Senior, Lead, Staff, or Principal Engineer with significant hands-on technical responsibility.
- Previous experience leading engineers or managing software development teams.
- Strong technical expertise in:
- TypeScript and JavaScript
- Node.js
- Modern backend and frontend development
- SQL and data-driven applications
- Strong understanding of cloud platforms, distributed systems, scalable architecture, and production operations.
- Experience influencing technical strategy and architectural direction.
- Demonstrated success mentoring and developing engineers at varying levels of experience.
- Proven ability to deliver complex technical initiatives in fast-paced product environments.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
About You
- A proactive leader who takes ownership and drives outcomes.
- Passionate about software engineering excellence and modern development practices.
- Excited by the opportunities AI brings to engineering productivity and innovation.
- Pragmatic, collaborative, and supportive in your leadership style.
- Comfortable operating in an evolving, high-growth environment.
- Equally motivated by developing people and delivering great technology.
Why Apply?
- This role offers the opportunity to:
- Shape the future of a growing technology platform.
- Influence engineering standards, architecture, and technical strategy.
- Lead and develop a talented team of engineers.
- Work with modern technologies and AI-enabled development practices.
- Make a meaningful impact within a data-driven, technology-focused organisation.
- Combine hands-on engineering with leadership responsibilities.
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid working model
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Ongoing professional development opportunities
- Collaborative and supportive engineering culture
Eligibility
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Software Engineering Manager in Watford employer: i3
Join a dynamic and innovative global data and technology organisation based in London, where you will lead a talented team of engineers in a hybrid working environment. The company fosters a collaborative culture that prioritises continuous learning and professional development, offering competitive salaries and benefits. With a strong focus on engineering excellence and the integration of AI technologies, this role provides a unique opportunity to shape the future of technology while making a meaningful impact in a high-growth sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to referrals, which are often the best way to get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects and contributions. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and leadership scenarios. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineering Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Software Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our engineering excellence!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about software engineering and how your background aligns with our mission. Share specific examples of your leadership style and technical achievements that make you a great fit for the team.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since this role involves hands-on engineering, don’t forget to showcase your technical skills in TypeScript, JavaScript, and cloud platforms. Mention any AI-assisted development practices you've implemented, as we’re keen on innovation and modern development techniques!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at i3
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially in TypeScript, JavaScript, and Node.js. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've applied them in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership approach. Think about times when you've mentored engineers or led a team through challenges. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a collaborative and accountable culture.
✨Understand the Company’s Vision
Research the company’s goals and how they align with your own values. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their ambitious growth strategy and influence their engineering standards and technical direction.
✨Be Ready for Architectural Discussions
Since the role involves leading architectural discussions, think about your experiences with scalable architecture and cloud platforms. Prepare to share insights on how you've tackled technical risks and improved delivery processes in previous roles.
