Lead Software Engineer in London

Lead Software Engineer in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to develop innovative energy management solutions and optimise billing systems.
  • Company: Join Kraken, a tech company transforming the energy industry for a sustainable future.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible work options, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Be part of a certified Great Place to Work with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of energy while leading a dynamic team.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering with Python and Django; experience managing teams.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Help us use technology to make a big green dent in the universe! Kraken powers some of the most innovative global developments in energy. We’re a technology company focused on creating a smart, sustainable energy system. From optimising renewable generation, creating a more intelligent grid and enabling utilities to provide excellent customer experiences, our operating system for energy is transforming the industry around the world in a way that benefits everyone. It’s a really exciting time in energy. Help us make a real impact on shaping a better, more sustainable future.

What we do: build the most AI-driven, innovative, forward-thinking platform for energy management. From optimising resources to delivering cost-effective, exceptional customer experiences through advanced Customer Information Systems (CIS), billing, meter data management, CRM, and AI-driven communications, Kraken is powering the next wave of innovation in the energy industry.

Why we do it: future energy will not look like energy as we know it today. We need to not just think about our future, but build for it. Now. We are looking for a Team Lead to lead the Costing Framework EU squad. The Costing Framework powers Kraken’s billing system for metered energy consumption and plays a critical role in allowing us to deploy changes rapidly and deliver impact at scale.

As Team Lead you play a critical role in Kraken’s engineering organisation. You will work closely with the team's Product Manager and APAC squad lead to guide product development through informed prioritisation and product objectives. You’re expected to balance:

  • operational effectiveness
  • team support and wellbeing
  • strategic product alignment
  • technical leadership

This role is about building a high-functioning team, shipping and maintaining high-quality systems, and keeping Kraken’s culture strong as we scale.

Leadership & Communication

  • Represent the team upward and outward with confidence
  • Communicate proactively, clearly, and respectfully
  • Keep the team informed about priorities and changes
  • Advocate for your team while challenging constructively

Team Management & Support

  • Stay aware of team capacity, stress, and wellbeing
  • Run 1:1s and offer coaching and mentorship
  • Nurture a collaborative, motivated team culture
  • Make and carry out difficult decisions for the good of the team and Kraken

Product & Delivery Oversight

  • Align the team to product vision and long-term goals
  • Maintain technical quality and improve systems thinking
  • Guide team planning, delivery, and retros
  • Translate large goals into achievable milestones

Strategic Decision-Making

  • Make resource and prioritisation trade-offs
  • Contribute to hiring and talent development
  • Distribute work fairly and rotate responsibilities
  • Create clarity in ambiguous or shifting contexts

Operational Excellence

  • Oversee or delegate rituals (planning, standups, reviews)
  • Connect team delivery to product-group and company-level goals
  • Partner closely with key stakeholders
  • Remove blockers — technical, process, or people-related

Experience & Qualifications

  • Experience with line management of at least 3 people
  • A strong software engineering background using Python and Django, minimum 5 years of experience
  • Is comfortable working asynchronously
  • Clear, regular communication
  • Strategic thinking and the ability to translate that to action
  • Advocacy for their team and its products
  • A commitment to mentorship and support
  • Strong organisational habits

This isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about enabling the team — scaling through delegation, coaching, and people systems. Your value comes from what the team delivers, not just your personal output.

Kraken is a certified Great Place to Work in France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Australia, and USA. In the UK we are one of the Best Workplaces on Glassdoor with a score of 4.5. Kraken is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. We consider all applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice and Artificial Intelligence Notice, Website Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice govern the collection and use of your personal data in connection with your application and use of our website. These policies explain how we handle your data and outline your rights under applicable laws, including, but not limited to, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Depending on your location, you may have the right to access, correct, or delete your information, object to processing, or withdraw consent. By applying, you acknowledge that you’ve read, understood and consent to these terms.

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Contact Details:

Kraken123 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in London

Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Kraken123 or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Kraken123.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Kraken123.

Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Kraken123 that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in London

Leadership
Communication Skills
Team Management
Coaching and Mentorship
Software Engineering
Python
Django

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Kraken123.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Kraken123 and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kraken123

Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Kraken123 uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.