At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a tech squad, develop customer-facing products, and modernise legacy systems.
- Company: Fast-growing Manchester business focused on rebuilding technology capabilities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, private healthcare, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment valuing speed, ownership, and teamwork.
- Why this job: Shape engineering culture and influence product direction while coding hands-on.
- Qualifications: Experience with React, TypeScript, and PHP/Laravel; strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 100000 £ per year.
We're partnering with a fast growing Manchester business that is rebuilding its technology capability from the ground up and hiring a hands‑on Tech Lead to drive one of its core product squads. This is a genuine engineering leadership role for someone who still loves being in the code.
You'll lead a cross‑functional squad responsible for delivering customer‑facing products used by millions of members across retail, rewards, and ecommerce‑style digital experiences. Their PHP monolith is being phased out and carved into React microservices, so this won't be a need in the role forever, but they do need someone confident enough to pick up when there might be spikes of CMS work. They are investing heavily in product, engineering, AI tooling and internal capability, making this an opportunity to shape both technical direction and engineering culture from an early stage.
The role
This is a highly hands‑on position, likely around 70‑80% technical contribution alongside technical leadership, mentoring, and squad ownership. You'll work closely with Product, UX, QA, and senior leadership to deliver meaningful customer features at pace, while helping establish engineering standards, delivery rhythm, and long‑term platform direction.
What you'll be doing
- Technical contribution of around 80% hands‑on development alongside technical leadership and mentoring to raise engineering standards and capability
- Leading architecture, design, and delivery across a modern full‑stack environment centred around React, TypeScript and Node.js
- Remaining deeply hands‑on in the codebase, solving complex engineering problems and leading by example
- Taking ownership of a critical legacy PHP/Laravel platform, helping modernise it safely while keeping delivery momentum high
- Working closely with Product and UX to deliver customer facing features through fast iteration and experimentation
- Driving best practices across clean architecture, testing, CI/CD, performance, and maintainability
- Helping shape the team's adoption of AI‑assisted and agentic development workflows
- Acting as a senior technical voice within the wider engineering function, contributing to platform and architectural decisions
What they're looking for
- Strong experience building modern frontend applications with React and TypeScript in production environments
- Production experience of PHP/Laravel (even if you're not doing it currently)
- The backend estate currently spans Node.js and .NET Core, so experience in either would be valuable
- A hands‑on technical leader who enjoys staying close to engineering rather than moving into pure management
- Strong understanding of software craftsmanship, automated testing and CI/CD
- Someone pragmatic, commercially aware, and comfortable balancing modernisation with real‑world delivery pressures
- Interest or experience using AI tooling within engineering workflows
Nice to have
- React Native experience
- Exposure to Azure and modern CI/CD tooling
- Background in ecommerce, loyalty, fintech, marketplaces, or consumer‑facing digital products
What will you get out of it?
- Help shape a modern engineering culture from the ground up - influencing architecture, tooling and delivery practices
- Work directly with senior leadership and have real technical input into business direction
- Join a collaborative, product‑led environment that values speed, ownership, and low‑ego teamwork
Also, you will be well compensated, with a salary between £85k-£100k depending on experience, in addition to a strong benefits package including private healthcare.
Get in touch for more information.
Hands-on Tech Lead: React/TypeScript, Node.js (Hybrid) in Manchester employer: Innova Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic and innovative Manchester-based company that is committed to rebuilding its technology capabilities and fostering a collaborative, product-led environment. As a hands-on Tech Lead, you'll not only enjoy a competitive salary of £85k-£100k but also benefit from a strong package including private healthcare, while having the opportunity to shape the engineering culture and influence key architectural decisions. This role offers a unique chance to work closely with senior leadership and drive meaningful customer-facing products used by millions, all within a supportive atmosphere that values speed, ownership, and teamwork.
Contact Details:
Innova Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hands-on Tech Lead: React/TypeScript, Node.js (Hybrid) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who might know about opportunities at companies you're interested in. A personal referral can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects with React, TypeScript, and Node.js. This gives potential employers a taste of your coding style and problem-solving abilities, making you stand out.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding system design principles. Practice common algorithms and data structures, and be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting roles that match your skills. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. Let’s get you that Tech Lead position!
We think you need these skills to ace Hands-on Tech Lead: React/TypeScript, Node.js (Hybrid) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Coding:When writing your application, let us see your love for coding shine through! Share specific examples of projects where you’ve been hands-on with React, TypeScript, or Node.js. We want to know how you’ve tackled challenges and what excites you about tech.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to fit the role. Highlight your experience with PHP/Laravel and how it relates to modernising legacy systems. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between old and new tech, so show us how you can do that!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and skills, making it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit. Remember, we appreciate clarity as much as complexity in code!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Innova Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in React, TypeScript, and Node.js. Brush up on your PHP/Laravel knowledge too, as it’s still relevant. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've used these technologies and how you tackled challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams or mentored others in a technical setting. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you balance coding with leadership responsibilities. Companies love to see candidates who can inspire and elevate their teams.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company’s products and their market position. Be prepared to discuss how your technical decisions can impact customer experiences and business outcomes. This shows that you’re not just a coder but also a strategic thinker.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect technical questions that require you to solve real-world problems on the spot. Practice coding challenges and be ready to explain your thought process. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and your ability to think critically under pressure.
