At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team of engineers in a transformative AI-driven environment.
- Company: Global payments tech company revolutionising fintech with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, fully remote work, and a strong focus on personal growth.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy, flexibility, and a culture that prioritises learning and development.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment to shape engineering strategy and drive impactful change.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering, with 2+ years in management and an AI-first mindset.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
This is a global payments technology company processing billions of dollars in transactions annually, serving merchants from SMEs through to large enterprise clients across North America, Europe, and beyond. Built through strategic acquisitions into a single unified platform, the business competes at the top end of the fintech infrastructure space alongside some of the most recognised names in the industry. It is a merchant-first organisation, deeply focused on outcomes over outputs, and is currently undergoing a significant AI-driven transformation that is reshaping how engineering teams work and what they are expected to deliver.
This Engineering Manager role sits at the heart of a company in genuine transformation. You will lead the Asset team, a group of 14 to 20 software engineers, at a moment when AI tooling has dramatically accelerated development velocity and the real constraints have shifted to deployment, DevOps, and requirements. The business is moving toward fewer, more senior hires who can operate as force multipliers, and this is precisely that kind of role. You will be a player-coach: credible enough with engineers to stay close to the technical detail, and strategic enough to work confidently with senior leadership on roadmap and delivery. You will partner closely with product, architecture, and DevOps teams to eliminate blockers, raise engineering standards, and build a culture where people grow. If you are the kind of engineer-turned-leader who gets energised by impact rather than activity, this is worth your attention.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, hire, mentor, and retain a team of 14 to 20 software engineers, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous growth.
- Drive engineering best practices across the team, including agile and lean delivery frameworks, CI/CD, and automated testing.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, DevOps, and architecture to ensure alignment with the product roadmap and delivery timelines.
- Apply an AI-first mindset to team operations, identifying where AI tooling can accelerate velocity, reduce toil, and improve outcomes beyond basic code generation.
- Eliminate blockers and continuously improve tooling, deployment pipelines, and automation to raise team throughput.
- Coach engineers on career progression, tackling increasingly complex challenges, and developing the skills needed for a more senior, system-level approach to engineering.
- Own the delivery commitments of your team, ensuring transparency with leadership and alignment to business objectives.
- Coordinate the development of cross-team features between engineering squads, product, and technical operations.
- Foster a culture of operational excellence through real-time monitoring, alerting, and continuous improvement.
- Support the planning process and help translate product requirements into sound engineering plans.
What You Will Need
Essential
- 5+ years in software engineering, with at least 2 years in a formal engineering management role.
- Proven track record leading and developing teams of 5 or more engineers.
- Strong object-oriented programming background in Java, .NET (C#), Golang, or equivalent.
- Solid grasp of agile and lean delivery methodologies with hands-on experience running teams within these frameworks.
- An AI-first mindset: comfortable applying AI tools practically to improve team velocity, automate processes, and think beyond basic code generation.
- Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present technical concepts to senior stakeholders and work effectively with distributed teams.
- Experience working cross-functionally across product, DevOps, and architecture teams in a fast-moving environment.
- Comfortable with ambiguity, willing to backtrack, experiment, and seek multiple solutions without needing all the answers upfront.
Nice to Have
- Experience in payments, fintech, or financial services technology.
- Exposure to mentoring first-time engineering managers.
- Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and CI/CD tooling at scale.
Why Apply?
- £90,000 to £110,000 base salary, depending on experience.
- Fully remote working with genuine flexibility.
- AI budget and tooling (including GitHub Copilot) already in place, with active investment in experimentation.
- Rare opportunity to lead at a genuinely transformational moment: engineering strategy has been rebuilt around AI and the company is moving fast.
- Small teams, big autonomy: clear outcomes, no needless process, trust to get on with it.
- Real investment in learning, mastery, and individual growth as a core part of the culture.
- Exclusive role via Ocho, with a fast two-stage interview process and quick time to offer.
How to Apply
If you believe you meet the criteria for this role and are excited about the opportunity, please apply via the link. Alternatively, reach out to Phil Gamble directly for an informal chat via LinkedIn or WhatsApp.
Engineering manager (AI) employer: Ocho
Join a leading global payments technology company that prioritises innovation and employee growth in a fully remote environment. With a strong focus on AI-driven transformation, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team of engineers while enjoying a culture that values accountability, continuous learning, and autonomy. Benefit from competitive salaries, an established AI tooling budget, and a commitment to fostering your career development in a fast-paced fintech landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering manager (AI)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to referrals and insider info that could give you the edge.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to engineering management. Think about how you’d apply an AI-first mindset in real situations, as this will show your potential employer you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share examples of how you've mentored engineers and fostered a culture of growth. This is key for a role like Engineering Manager where team dynamics matter.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the opportunity and keen to be part of our transformative journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering manager (AI)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing software engineers and driving engineering best practices.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're excited about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t just repeat your CV; share your passion for AI and how you envision leading a team through transformation.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Since we’re looking for someone with a strong programming background, make sure to mention your experience with Java, .NET, or Golang. Give examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles, especially in an AI context.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ocho
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Java, .NET, and Golang. Brush up on your object-oriented programming skills and be ready to discuss how you've applied these languages in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've fostered a culture of accountability and growth in previous roles, and be ready to discuss your approach to coaching engineers.
✨Embrace the AI Mindset
Since the company is undergoing an AI-driven transformation, be prepared to talk about how you've used AI tools to improve development processes. Share specific instances where you've implemented AI solutions to enhance team velocity or automate tasks.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to present ideas to senior stakeholders. Think about how you can convey your vision for the team and its alignment with business objectives.
