Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Novera Search

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of a new interactive web platform from scratch.
  • Company: Exciting stealth startup with a focus on innovation and creativity.
  • Benefits: High ownership, potential equity, and a chance to shape the product's future.
  • Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and to evolve into a founding role.
  • Why this job: Join a small team and make a real impact in an early-stage startup.
  • Qualifications: Strong full-stack engineering skills and a product-focused mindset.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

We’re currently partnered with a stealth, early-stage consumer startup building a new interactive web platform. They’re looking for a Lead / Founding Engineer to join at an early stage and take ownership of building the product from the ground up. This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys working from 0 → 1 and wants to play a key role in shaping both product and technical direction.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Building and shipping the core product across the full stack
  • Turning an early prototype into a scalable, production-ready platform
  • Working closely with the founder on product decisions and UX
  • Designing and implementing core backend systems and user-facing features
  • Integrating third-party services and lightweight AI functionality where relevant

What they’re looking for:

  • Strong full-stack engineering experience (modern JS frameworks, APIs, databases)
  • Comfortable owning the entire stack end-to-end
  • Product mindset — able to think beyond just implementation
  • Experience building and shipping real products
  • Self-starter who thrives in early-stage, ambiguous environments

Nice to have:

  • Experience with consumer-facing products
  • Experience building interactive or data-driven platforms
  • Familiarity with AI APIs and integrations

Why this role:

  • Opportunity to join at a very early stage as a key technical hire
  • High ownership and direct impact on product direction
  • Small, fast-moving team
  • Clear pathway to evolve into a long-term founding role with meaningful equity

Further details on application.

Lead Software Engineer employer: Novera Search

Join a dynamic and innovative stealth consumer startup as a Lead Software Engineer, where you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the product from its inception. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and ownership, this role offers a fast-paced work culture that encourages creativity and growth, alongside a clear pathway to a long-term founding position with meaningful equity. Be part of a small, agile team that values your input and fosters an environment for personal and professional development.
Novera Search

Contact Detail:

Novera Search Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. 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 projects, especially those that align with the role you're after. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your full-stack engineering experience and product mindset.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Think about how you would approach building a product from scratch and be ready to discuss your thought process. Remember, they want to see your problem-solving skills in action!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections, so don’t hesitate to submit your application directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to see your enthusiasm for joining the team at this exciting early stage.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer

Full-Stack Engineering
Modern JavaScript Frameworks
API Development
Database Management
Product Mindset
User Experience (UX) Design
Backend System Design
Integration of Third-Party Services
AI Functionality Integration
Self-Starter Attitude
Experience with Consumer-Facing Products
Building Interactive Platforms
Data-Driven Platform Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see that you’re genuinely excited about building something from scratch and shaping the product's future.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your full-stack engineering experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We’re looking for someone who can own the entire stack, so showcase how your skills align with what we need!

Think Beyond Code: We love a product mindset! In your application, share examples of how you’ve contributed to product decisions or user experience in past roles. This will show us that you’re not just about implementation but also about creating value.

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Novera Search

✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the modern JS frameworks, APIs, and databases mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve used these technologies to build scalable products.

✨Showcase Your Product Mindset

Prepare examples that highlight your ability to think beyond just coding. Discuss how you've contributed to product decisions in previous roles and how you can bring that mindset to this startup.

✨Emphasise Your Self-Starter Attitude

This role is all about taking ownership and thriving in ambiguity. Share stories that demonstrate your initiative and how you’ve successfully navigated early-stage environments in the past.

✨Be Ready to Discuss AI Integrations

Since they’re looking for someone familiar with AI APIs, brush up on any relevant experience you have. Be prepared to discuss how you could integrate lightweight AI functionality into their platform.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>