At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to develop innovative audio software and hardware solutions.
- Company: Join Native Instruments, a pioneer in music technology for over 25 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options, flexible hours, and 25 days paid holiday.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on the future of music creation and performance.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering leadership with expertise in software development and audio technology.
- Other info: Embrace diversity in a culture that values teamwork and innovation.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
For over 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the forefront of sonic innovation. Guided by our mission to inspire and enable creators to express themselves, we develop integrated audio hardware and software solutions for musicians, producers, engineers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience.
Interested in learning more about this job Scroll down and find out what skills, experience and educational qualifications are needed.
Native Instruments embraces diversity and a respect for all people.We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we believe the foundation of our dynamic and pioneering spirit starts with a fair and inclusive culture. At Native Instruments we value teamwork and passion, deliver inspiring experiences, continuously innovate and empower our communities, while also serving our planet.
All applicants will receive equal consideration for employment at Native Instruments and we encourage everyone to apply regardless of gender identity, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Help us reach our goal in making the future of music diverse, inclusive and exciting! We encourage you to submit your application without the requirement for a photograph, identifying factors or personal status information.
About The Team
Native Instruments is seeking an experienced and visionary VP of Engineering to lead the development of our industry-leading products like Kontakt, Maschine, Traktor, and our extensive range of virtual instruments, synths, and creative effects.
In this central leadership role, you will be responsible for the overall technical strategy, execution, and delivery of our iconic software and hardware. You will report directly to the Chief Product and Technology Officer and will lead a talented and diverse team of engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a proven engineering leader to have a significant impact on the future of music creation and performance, shaping the technology that empowers countless artists globally, and accelerates business growth
Your Contribution
Strategic & Technical Leadership
- Define and execute an engineering strategy thats aligned with company objectives and product vision.
- Track and apply new technologies – especially AI – for both internal efficiency and customer benefit, ensuring our products remain at the forefront of audio technology.
- Make hard decisions to modernise, simplify, and rationalize our technology estate.
- Hold teams accountable for building high-quality, high-performance products at scale.
Organizational Leadership
- Lead, inspire, and develop a multi-disciplinary team of engineering managers, software engineers, and QA professionals.
- Build an engineering culture grounded in accountability, collaboration, and a growth mindset.
- Hire and retain world-class technical talent. Proactively address underperformance.
- Manage budgets responsibly, balancing short term execution needs with long-term organisational health.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Work collaboratively with Product, Product Design, Sound Design, Marketing, and other stakeholders to align on roadmaps, priorities, and delivery timelines.
- Be an active partner to your peers the Extended Leadership Team solving problems and enabling innovation across not only the Product Creation organisation, but also Marketing, Sales, IT, Finance and others.
Delivery
- Own the timely delivery and quality of new releases and features across multiple product lines and platforms.
- Promote agile practices including regular delivery of working software, and iterative development.
- Drive improvements in engineering velocity through adoption of processes and tools including AI, test automation, observability, and codebase modernisation.
- Set and monitor key metrics for performance, delivery, reliability, and team health.
- Manage the timely delivery and quality of 3rd party developers who build for our platforms, or who integrate our technology.
Our Ideal Candidate
Domain Expertise:
- Desktop Software Development: Building, shipping, and maintaining C++ applications for Windows and macOS.
- Audio/Music: Familiarity with music creation tools, digital audio technology, and realtime systems.
- DSP & Realtime Systems: Experience delivering performant, low-latency systems ideally in audio processing, plugin development, or interactive creative tools.
- Web/Cloud Integration: Familiarity with hosted services powering modern creative tools, including identity and login services, recommendation and personalization systems, analytics and instrumentation, A/B testing, feature flagging, and progressive rollout infrastructure.
- AI-powered Features: Demonstrated experience integrating AI/ML into real-world user-facing products e.g. intelligent recommendations to generative tools, or assistive workflows.
Leadership Experience:
- 10+ years leading multi-product software engineering teams at VP or senior director level, ideally in a product-led technology company.
- Demonstrated success managing teams of 50+ engineers across multiple functional disciplines.
- Strong technical foundation in software engineering youve shipped complex products developed by multiple teams and understand the iron triangle tradeoffs deeply.
- Experience growing and scaling engineering teams, systems, and practices in high-growth or transformation contexts.
- Track record of building inclusive, high-performing cultures where people feel they can do the best work of their careers.
- Experience collaborating closely with Product, Design and Marketing to deliver cohesive, customer-centric solutions.
- Remote First: We offer a range of options that allow you to work in a way that suits your lifestyle, either at one of our workspaces, a hybrid arrangement, or fully remote.
- Shared workspace in London: Landmark Spaces
- Workation: Work remotely anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks per year
- Flexible work model from one of our entity locations
- Trust-based working hours
- Holidays: 25 days paid holiday per year which increases with tenure
- Healthcare: Public health care with NHS supplemented with Simply Health. This involves contributions for dental and optical healthcare, for example
- Pension: Employees can choose an auto enrolment scheme or can bring their own SIPP with them
- Free software downloads and reduced prices on hardware
- Employee Assistance Program for your well-being
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VP of Engineering (London) employer: Native Instruments GmbH
Contact Detail:
Native Instruments GmbH Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land VP of Engineering (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the audio technology and software engineering fields. Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups where you can connect with current employees at Native Instruments or similar companies. This can give you insights into the company culture and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Native Instruments' products and their latest innovations. Understanding their software and hardware offerings will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've built inclusive teams in the past. Given the emphasis on diversity and collaboration at Native Instruments, showcasing your experience in fostering a positive team culture will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in AI and audio technology. Being able to speak knowledgeably about how these technologies can enhance product offerings will set you apart as a candidate who is forward-thinking and aligned with the company's goals.
We think you need these skills to ace VP of Engineering (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software engineering, particularly in desktop software development and audio technology. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and technical expertise.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for music technology and how your vision aligns with Native Instruments' mission. Highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and your familiarity with AI integration in products.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Detail your leadership experience, especially managing large teams and driving cross-functional collaboration. Provide examples of how you've built inclusive cultures and fostered innovation within your teams.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise your technical skills, particularly in C++ development, DSP, and real-time systems. Mention any experience with cloud integration and AI-powered features, as these are crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Native Instruments GmbH
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a VP of Engineering, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of software engineering principles, especially in C++ and audio technology. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've successfully led teams in developing complex products, highlighting your technical decisions and their impact.
✨Emphasise Leadership Experience
Highlight your experience in leading large, diverse teams. Discuss how you've fostered a culture of accountability and collaboration, and share examples of how you've managed underperformance while inspiring your team to achieve their best work.
✨Align with Company Values
Native Instruments values diversity and inclusion, so be sure to express your commitment to these principles. Share experiences where you've built inclusive teams or contributed to a positive workplace culture, showing that you align with their mission and values.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various departments, prepare to discuss your experience in cross-functional partnerships. Provide examples of how you've collaborated with product, design, and marketing teams to deliver cohesive solutions that meet customer needs.