Engineering Operations Lead - Software in London

We are using and creating technology to transform operations at sea to enable people and the planet to thrive. We are open-minded and fearless in our approach to innovation and don't believe in boundaries. We challenge everything and have massive ambitions to drag aging industries into the tech era. We take safety, equality and education very seriously, and our responsibilities don't stop at our front door. Our business is built on the belief that there's definitely a more environmentally responsible way to operate at sea.

We employ people who share our core values. We expect our people to be courageous, trustworthy, and conscientious, driven by a desire to do the right thing. We strive for excellence, work collaboratively, and are genuinely excited by our work. We offer opportunities for our people to develop beyond their role and span a multitude of disciplines. These are open to all, regardless of background and experience level. Working with us means being part of a team that is harnessing technology and creativity to disrupt a traditional industry. We are not your average workplace.

Ocean Infinity is seeking an Engineering Operations Lead to sit within the Software Engineering organisation and act as the operational backbone of a function undergoing significant transformation. This is not a technical role; it is an operational leadership role.

This role will combine:

• Operational leadership (designing and implementing the rhythm of business across the engineering organisation)
• Cross‑functional coordination (working closely with IT, product leadership, and stakeholders)
• Process improvement (mapping workflows to identify bottlenecks and introducing standardisation)
• Engineering transformation support (helping reshape the organisation through org design, change management, and cultural shifts)

You will report directly to the Director of Software Engineering and work closely with Product, Engineering, IT, and senior leadership. As the function matures and the team grows, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a small team. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in ambiguity, brings structure where there is none, and takes genuine ownership of outcomes, someone who can communicate clearly, challenge constructively, and make a complex organisation move faster and smarter.

What you will do:

• Design and implement the rhythm of business across the engineering organisation cadences, forums, reporting structures, and ways of working that create predictability without bureaucracy.
• Define and maintain operating models that support how the engineering function plans, prioritises, and delivers work.
• Maintain clear, structured documentation and engage stakeholders with confident, pragmatic communication to align on priorities, timelines, and expectations.
• Own the delivery of cross-functional initiatives end-to-end, identifying dependencies, surfacing blockers early, and keeping programmes on track.
• Proactively identify where misalignment, duplication, or gaps are creating friction and drive resolution.
• Coordinate planning cycles, quarterly reviews, and strategic initiatives in collaboration with the Director of Software Engineering.
• Map existing processes, workflows, and handoffs across the engineering organisation to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and points of friction.
• Introduce standardisation and lightweight automation where it creates genuine leverage — not for its own sake, but to free engineering teams to focus on what matters.
• Track and report on operational health metrics, surfacing risks and recommendations to leadership early and plainly.
• Work closely with the Director of Software Engineering to support the ongoing reshaping of the engineering organisation (including org design, change management, and cultural shifts).
• Help engineering leaders and teams navigate change: translating strategic intent into clear operational plans and managing the human side of transformation.

Who you are:

• 6–10 years of experience in operations, programme management, or business operations roles — ideally within technology, engineering, or operationally complex environments.
• Proven track record of building and optimising operational infrastructure.
• Strong cross-functional delivery experience: owning programmes end-to-end across different business functions.
• Demonstrated ability to bring structure and clarity to complex, ambiguous environments without over-engineering or adding unnecessary process.
• Comfortable operating with significant autonomy and accountability.
• Experience leading or supporting organisational change or transformation programmes.

Desirable:

• Experience working within or alongside software engineering organisations.
• Background in consulting, venture building, or high-growth scale-up environments.
• Exposure to maritime, defence, or energy sectors.

Salary for this position: Up to £85,000 per annum. The salary varies for this position as we are recruiting in multiple regional locations and job grades. The salary process is based on skills, abilities, and experience required.

What you can expect:

At Ocean Infinity, we believe in creating equal opportunities for all, celebrating each and everyone’s differences. We are driven by transforming the industry, through our technology, thoughts, behaviours and actions. Being inclusive and respectful to all is fundamental to who we are. It is the right thing to do and enables innovation and creativity to thrive. There is more work to be done, and we know that we aren’t perfect, but our commitment to these values is unwavering. They are central to our mission and the impact we have on the industry, meaning, we cannot live without them.