Head of Engineering

Head of Engineering

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Ideagen

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams and shape innovative delivery models in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join Ideagen, a global leader ensuring safety and quality across various industries.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and a focus on work-life balance.
  • Other info: Be part of a future-ready team with opportunities for growth and development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving AI adoption and transforming engineering practices.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in leading high-performing engineering organisations and strategic planning.

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

We’re hiring a Head of Engineering to shape how engineering operates at scale within a modern, agentic delivery environment. This is a high-impact role where you’ll define and evolve the engineering model, lead high-performing teams and embed practices that drive consistent, high-quality delivery. You’ll play a key role in developing leadership capability, advancing AI-enabled ways of working and ensuring the function is equipped for both current demands and future growth. Partnering closely with Architecture and executive leadership, you’ll influence technology strategy, organisational design, and strategic planning—positioning engineering as a critical driver of business success, not just an enabler.

Responsibilities

  • Defines and drives the engineering delivery model across the domain, embedding agentic, spec-driven development with clear standards for squad performance, quality, and delivery rhythm.
  • Leads and elevates Engineering Managers and Lead Engineers, fostering accountability, performance, and the ability to run high-impact squads independently.
  • Shapes and executes the engineering capability strategy, from agentic maturity and toolchain evolution to skills development and targeted hiring.
  • Acts as the senior engineering voice in executive planning, ensuring constraints, risks, and dependencies are clearly understood before commitments are made.
  • Partners at the highest level with Architecture and Engineering leadership to steer technology strategy, AI capability, and organisational design.
  • Owns functional performance end-to-end, including budget, headcount, and structural improvement, while representing engineering in audits, M&A, and regulated customer environments.

Skills and Experience

  • Scales and leads high-performing engineering organisations, building multi-pillar teams with clear accountability for delivery and outcomes.
  • Owns and embeds modern, agentic delivery models, setting standards for spec-driven development, tooling, quality, and operating rhythm.
  • Drives capability at scale by developing strong managers, shaping workforce strategy, and closing skill and maturity gaps.
  • Brings executive-level presence, confidently representing engineering in strategic, commercial, and board-level discussions.
  • Aligns engineering priorities with business goals, managing budgets, headcount, and organisational design to maximise impact.
  • Leads through transformation with a focus on AI adoption, technical evolution, and excellence in regulated environments including security, compliance, and audit readiness.

If you’re looking to lead with impact and drive meaningful change, this role offers the platform to do both!

About Ideagen

Ideagen is the invisible force behind many things we rely on every day - from keeping airplanes soaring in the sky, to ensuring the food on our tables is safe, to helping doctors and nurses care for the sick. So, when you think of Ideagen, think of it as the silent teammate that's always working behind the scenes to help those people who make our lives safer and better. Everyday millions of people are kept safe using Ideagen software. We have offices all over the world including America, Australia, Malaysia and India with people doing lots of different and exciting jobs. We’re building a future-ready team, and AI is part of how we work smarter. If you're curious, adaptable and open to using AI to improve how you work, you’ll thrive at Ideagen!

What is next?

If your application meets the requirements for this role, our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps. To ensure a flexible and inclusive process, please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments by contacting us at recruitment@ideagen.com. All matters will be treated with strict confidence. At Ideagen, we value the importance of work-life balance and welcome candidates seeking flexible arrangements. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know during the application process. Enhance your career and make the world a safer place!

Head of Engineering employer: Ideagen

At Ideagen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. Located in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you lead high-performing engineering teams to drive impactful change. With a strong focus on employee growth, AI integration, and a commitment to work-life balance, we empower our staff to thrive in a supportive environment where their contributions make a real difference in the world.

Ideagen

Contact Details:

Ideagen Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its engineering practices. Understand their tech stack and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.

Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply through job boards; head over to our website and submit your application directly. It gives you a better chance of standing out and shows you’re keen on being part of our team at Ideagen.

Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the right fit for the Head of Engineering role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering

Leadership Skills
Engineering Delivery Model Development
Performance Management
AI Adoption
Strategic Planning
Organisational Design
Budget Management

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 experience in leading high-performing teams and driving engineering delivery models that align with Ideagen's goals.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've developed leadership capabilities in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've fostered accountability and performance in engineering teams, as this is key for us.

Emphasise AI and Innovation:Since AI adoption is a big part of this role, don’t forget to mention any relevant experience you have with AI technologies or innovative practices. Show us how you can drive technical evolution within the team!

Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!

How to prepare for a job interview at Ideagen

Understand the Role Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Head of Engineering role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a senior manager, your leadership style is crucial. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully led high-performing teams in the past. Share specific examples of how you've fostered accountability and performance, and how you plan to elevate Engineering Managers and Lead Engineers in this new role.

Prepare for Strategic Discussions

Since this role involves partnering with executive leadership, be ready to engage in strategic conversations. Think about how you would align engineering priorities with business goals and be prepared to discuss your approach to managing budgets and headcount effectively.

Embrace AI and Modern Practices

Ideagen is looking for someone who can drive AI adoption and modern delivery models. Brush up on the latest trends in AI and how they can be integrated into engineering practices. Be ready to share your thoughts on how you would shape the engineering capability strategy to include these advancements.