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- Tasks: Lead backend development while staying hands-on with coding and mentoring engineers.
- Company: Dynamic tech company in London, embracing hybrid and remote work culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £100k, mentorship opportunities, and a chance to shape team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by leading a growing team and influencing backend architecture.
- Qualifications: 7+ years of backend experience, strong Python skills, and a passion for mentorship.
- Other info: Join a collaborative environment with clear growth potential and leadership trust.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Backend Tech Lead / Hands-On Engineering Manager – London | Hybrid / Remote-friendly | £90k–£100k
This is an opportunity to step into a hands-on technical leadership role within a growing backend engineering team. The company is at a natural inflection point: the engineering group is expanding from 6 to 8 engineers, and there’s a clear need to introduce structure, mentorship, and delivery ownership — without losing technical momentum.
The role suits a senior backend engineer who enjoys leading by example, staying close to the codebase, and gradually taking ownership of team leadership and delivery. This is not a people-only management role. Expect an 80/20 split between hands-on engineering and leadership responsibilities.
The Role
- Act as the technical lead for backend development, contributing directly to architecture and feature delivery
- Provide day-to-day mentorship and technical guidance to backend engineers
- Introduce clearer reporting lines, ownership, and delivery structure as the team scales
- Partner closely with the CTO, gradually taking on leadership responsibilities currently consuming senior leadership time
- Own the delivery of backend projects, with responsibility for execution and technical quality
- Support future team growth, including hiring, onboarding, and longer-term team design
Team & Structure
- Current team: 6 engineers, scaling to 8 in the near term
- Planned split into focused teams, including a dedicated data pipeline / backend platform group
- This role becomes the primary technical and delivery owner for one of those areas
- Acts as a key bridge between engineers and senior leadership
What They’re Looking For
- 7+ years of backend engineering experience
- Strong hands-on backend expertise, ideally in Python
- Proven experience designing and maintaining production backend systems
- Comfortable mentoring engineers and acting as a technical authority
- Experience (or strong interest) in taking on people leadership responsibilities
- Exposure to financial services is a strong plus (security, change management, regulated environments)
- Pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset — someone who gets things shipped
Why This Role Stands Out
- Genuine hands-on leadership role — not management theatre
- Clear trust from the CTO to take ownership and step up
- Opportunity to shape team structure, culture, and delivery practices
- Real influence over architecture and backend direction
- Competitive salary around £100k, depending on experience
Contact Ciara Clarke at Harrington Starr for a confidential discussion on this role.
Software Engineering Team Lead - Harrington Starr in City of London employer: Jobster
Contact Detail:
Jobster Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineering Team Lead - Harrington Starr in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Harrington Starr. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a referral, which is golden when it comes to landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a GitHub or portfolio showcasing your backend projects, make sure to highlight them. This is your chance to demonstrate your hands-on expertise and technical prowess directly to the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your leadership stories. Think about times you've mentored others or led projects. We want to hear how you can bring that pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset to the team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. 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 Team Lead - Harrington Starr in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your backend engineering experience, especially with Python, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can contribute to our growing team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your hands-on approach and your passion for mentoring others.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on relevant projects, make sure to include them in your application. We love seeing real examples of your work, especially those that demonstrate your technical expertise and leadership capabilities. It helps us understand your impact!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobster
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in backend technologies, especially Python, as this role demands strong hands-on expertise. Brush up on your experience with production systems and be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve made a significant impact.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this position involves mentoring and guiding engineers, think about your leadership approach. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects, focusing on how you balance technical work with team management.
✨Understand the Company’s Needs
Research Harrington Starr and their engineering team's current structure. Be prepared to discuss how you can introduce clarity and ownership as they scale from 6 to 8 engineers, and how you can help shape their delivery practices.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Prepare to answer questions about architecture, feature delivery, and any challenges you've faced in backend development. This is your chance to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and technical authority.
