Senior Engineering Lead in Milton Keynes

About Kinetic

At Kinetic we’re redefining operational excellence in higher education, conferencing, and events. As the leading provider of software solutions for student accommodation, event management, catering, and residential services, we help institutions streamline operations, elevate customer experiences, and unlock their full potential. With over 25 years of experience and trusted by more than 350 institutions worldwide, our software empowers universities and venues to run smarter, faster, and more collaboratively. From bustling campuses to dynamic corporate environments, our technology adapts to the rhythm of each organisation — helping them thrive in a fast‑changing world. But we’re more than just software. We’re a team of passionate problem‑solvers, innovators, and collaborators who care deeply about our customers and each other. Our culture is built on empowerment, community, and continuous growth. We believe in giving people the tools, support, and freedom to do their best work — and have fun while doing it. Joining Kinetic means being part of a purpose‑driven business where your ideas matter, your development is supported, and your impact is real. If you’re ready to help shape the future of operational technology in education and events, we’d love to meet you.

The Role

As a Lead Senior Engineer, you won’t just manage—you’ll build. You’ll be hands‑on with code, lead architectural decisions, and drive innovation from within the team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of campus technology and make a real impact, one smart solution at a time. You will play a pivotal role in modernising our engineering practices, embedding quality at every stage, and championing a culture of continuous improvement. Working closely with the VP of Engineering, you’ll help define and implement the technical strategy whilst mentoring the team to deliver elite‑level performance.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Scaled Agile Planning: Facilitate team planning in line with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles, managing project increments and iterations to meet business goals.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Mentor, guide, and support team members in both personal and technical growth. Provide actionable feedback and development opportunities to enhance team performance and career progression. Foster a culture of accountability and psychological safety.
• Code & Architecture Oversight: Lead code and architecture reviews to maintain high standards and ensure consistency across projects. Champion best practices in code quality, testing, and maintainability.
• Quality Ownership: Take ownership of the team’s quality output, embedding robust practices for testing, code quality, and system reliability. Drive initiatives to automate regression testing and shift towards exploratory testing approaches.
• Architectural Excellence: Design and implement solutions based on CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) and Event Bus architecture, with a strong focus on AWS environments and publish/subscribe models. Make pragmatic architectural decisions that balance innovation with delivery.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements, provide feedback, and ensure software quality from the initial stages of development through to production.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive technical excellence initiatives, identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the development lifecycle, and champion practices that improve developer productivity and satisfaction.
• AI & Innovation: Stay at the forefront of AI‑assisted development, evaluating and implementing tools that amplify team capabilities. Lead by example in adopting and championing new technologies.

What You’ll Bring

Core Skills & Experience

• Scaled Agile Planning: Facilitate team planning in line with Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) principles, managing project increments and iterations to meet business goals.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Mentor, guide, and support team members in both personal and technical growth. Provide actionable feedback and development opportunities to enhance team performance and career progression. Foster a culture of accountability and psychological safety.
• Code & Architecture Oversight: Lead code and architecture reviews to maintain high standards and ensure consistency across projects. Champion best practices in code quality, testing, and maintainability.
• Quality Ownership: Take ownership of the team’s quality output, embedding robust practices for testing, code quality, and system reliability. Drive initiatives to automate regression testing and shift towards exploratory testing approaches.
• Architectural Excellence: Design and implement solutions based on CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation) and Event Bus architecture, with a strong focus on AWS environments and publish/subscribe models. Make pragmatic architectural decisions that balance innovation with delivery.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to understand requirements, provide feedback, and ensure software quality from the initial stages of development through to production.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive technical excellence initiatives, identify and eliminate bottlenecks in the development lifecycle, and champion practices that improve developer productivity and satisfaction.
• AI & Innovation: Stay at the forefront of AI‑assisted development, evaluating and implementing tools that amplify team capabilities. Lead by example in adopting and championing new technologies.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a hands‑on technical leader who thrives at the intersection of architecture, delivery, and people development. You have a track record of building high‑performing teams and delivering complex systems in cloud‑native environments. You’re passionate about engineering excellence, pragmatic about technical decisions, and energised by the opportunity to modernise engineering practices. You believe that great software is built by great teams, and you’re committed to creating an environment where engineers can do their best work. You stay curious about emerging technologies, especially AI, and you’re excited to experiment and learn whilst sharing knowledge with others.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to shape engineering culture and practices at a transformative stage in the company’s evolution.
• Direct collaboration with the VP of Engineering on strategic technical initiatives.
• A supportive environment that values continuous learning, innovation, and technical excellence.
• The chance to mentor and develop a high‑performing engineering team.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge technologies including AI‑assisted development tools.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

Benefits & Perks

At Kinetic, we believe work should come with rewards that make a real difference. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect when you join us:

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) - with extra days the longer you’re with us.
• Two paid wellbeing days each year, with a budget to enjoy some time out with someone important to you.
• Enhanced pension contributions to support your future.
• Two paid days a year to give back through volunteering, charity work, or sustainability projects with our Green Team.
• Salary sacrifice schemes for electric vehicles and cycle‑to‑work.
• 24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme for confidential advice and support.
• A full annual health check to keep you at your best.
• A flexible benefits platform - from life assurance and learning opportunities to retail discounts and cinema tickets.
• A genuine people‑first culture where your growth and wellbeing come first.
• Performance‑related bonus scheme to reward your contribution.
• Regular socials - from team get‑togethers to all‑company celebrations, with each department owning a budget for their events.
• The opportunity to attend group conferences, away days and learning forums both in the UK and abroad - network with other talent.

We’ve created a welcoming office environment, with well‑stocked kitchens offering free breakfast, fresh fruit, hot and cold drinks, and a range of tuck shop goodies to keep you fuelled throughout the day. Kinetic is an equal opportunity employer, fostering diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.