At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering and product delivery for an exciting football-themed bingo game.
- Company: Join a dynamic startup with a passion for sports and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, performance bonuses, and generous leave.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming while working with cutting-edge technology and a passionate team.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering and team management, with a love for football.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 135000 £ per year.
The role involves owning engineering and product delivery end-to-end at Match Bingo, a UK-licensed football-themed bingo game. You will work with the Chairman and CEO to shape the product direction and lead the team that turns it into shipped software. You will drive the culture, quality bar, and AI-augmented way of working within the engineering team.
Match Bingo has taken the social warmth of bingo and built a football-themed version that runs off real-world match data. The product is currently focused on football, with plans to expand into broader sports and other media events in the future. The company is small, with around 10 people, and is headquartered in the UK, with an English-speaking Ukrainian engineering team distributed across Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
Why this role is interesting:
- You will own engineering across four codebases: PHP backend, native iOS app, JavaScript Android app, and JavaScript web app.
- You will build and lead your own team, with the potential to scale to 30+ engineers.
- You will receive equity in a company that is already shipping and monetising.
- You will drive the AI transition within the engineering team.
- You will work in a regulated industry, focusing on compliance and fair play.
- Hybrid working options are available, with three days a week in London, Tunbridge Wells, or Bath, and two days from home.
What you'll actually do:
- In your first 90 days, you will understand the product roadmap, meet the engineering team, audit the current development process, and lead the migration to AI tooling.
- In the year after that, you will lead the team through major roadmap arcs, improve quality across codebases, hire additional talent, and manage relationships with platform vendors and regulatory bodies.
- You will also monitor commercial performance and lead the technical design of new game formats.
The character we're looking for:
- You should be an operator with high agency, independent, and quality-obsessed.
- You should be a coach, not a critic, and be AI-fluent and evangelistic.
- You should be direct in communication and have a genuine interest in football.
- You should be resilient under pressure, as the role involves tight deadlines.
Must-haves:
- Five or more years' experience in software engineering, technical leadership, or product leadership.
- Experience managing an engineering team of at least five people.
- A background in engineering with at least three years writing production code.
- A demonstrated shipping history of consumer-facing digital products at scale.
- Fluency in AI-augmented development tooling.
- Commitment to hybrid working in the UK.
- The right to work in the UK without sponsorship.
- A genuine interest in football or sport.
Nice-to-haves:
- Prior experience in iGaming, online gambling, or sports media.
- Familiarity with PHP, native iOS, or JavaScript app development.
- Experience with distributed engineering teams.
- Understanding of UKGC regulatory frameworks.
- Experience scaling an engineering team.
- Experience designing or running incident-management processes.
- A portfolio of engineering or product thinking.
- Experience playing or coaching football.
Compensation:
Base salary ranges from £95,000 to £135,000 depending on experience, with equity options, a performance bonus of up to 15%, and standard UK benefits including 25 days annual leave, pension auto-enrolment, private health insurance, and a learning budget.
Head of Engineering in England employer: Match Bingo
At Match Bingo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture. As the Head of Engineering, you'll have the unique opportunity to lead a passionate team in a rapidly scaling environment, with direct access to the CEO and the chance to shape the future of our innovative product. We offer competitive compensation, equity options, and a commitment to employee growth through a generous learning budget, all while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working from locations like London, Tunbridge Wells, or Bath.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know someone at Match Bingo. A personal introduction can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the company’s product and culture. Understand their football-themed bingo game inside out, and think about how you can contribute to their vision of scaling and AI integration.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you’ve built and managed teams in the past, and how you plan to foster a quality-obsessed culture at Match Bingo.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to express your passion for football! Whether it’s sharing your favourite teams or memorable matches, showing genuine interest in the sport will resonate with the team and highlight your fit for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don't be afraid to share your passion for engineering and football. Show us why you're excited about this role and how you can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Engineering role. Highlight your experience in leading teams, shipping products, and using AI tools. We love specifics, so include details about what you've built and how it made an impact!
Show Your Leadership Style:We’re looking for someone who can coach and inspire our engineers. In your application, share examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in challenging situations. We want to know how you bring out the best in others!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply 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 serious about joining our team at Match Bingo!
How to prepare for a job interview at Match Bingo
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the technical aspects of the role. Brush up on PHP, JavaScript, and AI tools like GitHub Copilot. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, especially how you've led teams and delivered quality software.
✨Show Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading a team, so be prepared to share your approach to coaching and motivating engineers. Think of examples where you've turned a struggling team into a high-performing one, and how you maintain quality while pushing for results.
✨Get Familiar with Compliance
Since this is a regulated industry, it’s crucial to understand compliance issues. Do some homework on KYC, age-gating, and fair-play regulations. Be ready to discuss how you would ensure that product decisions align with these requirements without slowing down the development process.
✨Be Passionate About Football
This role revolves around a football-themed product, so show your enthusiasm for the game! Whether it's discussing your favourite teams or recent matches, let your passion shine through. This will help you connect with the team and demonstrate that you’re genuinely invested in the product.
