At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and build of high-performance distributed systems using Rust.
- Company: Early-stage infrastructure company focused on innovative systems architecture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £180,000 and opportunity for significant career growth.
- Other info: Join a small, capable team and drive technical strategy alongside the CTO.
- Why this job: Shape a cutting-edge Rust-first platform and influence engineering culture.
- Qualifications: Strong Rust programming skills and experience in distributed systems.
The predicted salary is between 180000 - 180000 £ per year.
I’m currently working with an early-stage infrastructure company building high-performance distributed systems, with Rust at the core of the stack, who are looking for a Head of Engineering to lead the design, build, and scale of a genuinely differentiated systems architecture. This is a pivotal role reporting directly to the CTO, owning the core engineering stack and leading a small but highly capable team. The business is building a new approach to real-time data and system infrastructure, designed to remove traditional dependencies on external services through a more tightly integrated, systems-native architecture. You’ll remain hands-on technically while driving engineering standards, roadmap execution, and team growth. This is a rare opportunity to join at the right stage and shape both the technology and engineering culture of a high-performance infrastructure platform with significant upside.
Responsibilities
- Own engineering across distributed systems, backend infrastructure, storage systems, APIs, and real-time data pipelines.
- Lead development of high-performance Rust-based services and distributed compute components.
- Drive performance optimisation across low-latency systems, event-driven architectures, and high-throughput workloads.
- Partner with the CTO on technical strategy, hiring plans, and roadmap execution.
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of engineers while staying close to the codebase.
- Own system design standards, internal tooling, and technical documentation practices.
- Support production incidents where needed and continuously improve system reliability.
Requirements
- Strong background in systems programming using Rust, Go, C++, or similar.
- Deep distributed systems knowledge including concurrency, replication, fault tolerance, and system design trade-offs.
- Experience building backend infrastructure, real-time systems, or high-reliability production platforms.
- Strong understanding of storage systems, data processing, and performance optimisation under load.
- Previous leadership experience managing and growing engineering teams.
If you’re an experienced engineering leader or senior systems engineer looking to step into a role where you can shape a Rust-first infrastructure platform from the ground up, then apply or get in touch directly.
Head of Engineering employer: Lawrence Harvey
Join an innovative early-stage infrastructure company that values technical excellence and fosters a collaborative work culture. As the Head of Engineering, you'll not only lead a talented team in building cutting-edge distributed systems but also enjoy significant opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic environment. With a focus on Rust and real-time data solutions, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact while shaping the future of engineering standards and practices.
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 industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your Rust projects and distributed systems work. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on technical questions related to systems programming and distributed systems. Practice explaining your thought process clearly, as communication is key in leadership roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Rust:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with Rust and how it relates to distributed systems. We want to see your enthusiasm for the technology and how you've used it in past projects.
Be Specific About Your Leadership Experience:Don’t just say you’ve led teams; tell us about the impact you made! Share specific examples of how you mentored engineers or improved processes. This helps us understand your leadership style and how you can contribute to our culture.
Demonstrate Your Technical Skills:We’re looking for someone who’s hands-on with coding and system design. Include details about your technical expertise, especially in areas like performance optimisation and real-time data pipelines. Show us what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawrence Harvey
✨Know Your Rust Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Rust knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Rust in detail, including specific projects you've worked on and challenges you've faced. This will show that you're not just familiar with the language but can also apply it effectively in real-world scenarios.
✨Demonstrate Your Distributed Systems Expertise
Since the role focuses heavily on distributed systems, be ready to dive deep into your understanding of concurrency, fault tolerance, and system design trade-offs. Prepare examples of how you've tackled performance optimisation in low-latency systems or high-throughput workloads, as this will highlight your technical prowess.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Engineering, you'll need to lead and mentor a team. Think of specific instances where you've successfully managed a team, driven growth, or improved engineering standards. Sharing these experiences will demonstrate your capability to lead while remaining hands-on with the codebase.
✨Align with the Company’s Vision
Research the company’s approach to real-time data and system infrastructure. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with theirs and how you can contribute to shaping their technology and engineering culture. This shows that you're not just looking for a job, but are genuinely interested in being part of their journey.
