At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support engineering teams to deliver high-quality AI-powered products.
- Company: Fast-growing AI adoption startup with a mission to empower professionals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity, hybrid work, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Be part of a high-calibre team making real impact with AI technology.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment and shape the future of engineering in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience managing engineers in fast-paced product settings.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 119000 £ per year.
£100k-119k + equity · Hybrid (2 days/week London)
Who We Are
PAIR is a fast-growing AI adoption startup on a mission to help professionals and teams harness AI to do their best work. Our platform delivers personalised, AI-powered learning experiences and adoption support that help organisations rapidly harness AI at scale. We already have strong traction: 15,000+ users and enterprise deployments with organisations including the Ministry of Justice, you.com, and The MTC. We’re still a small, high-calibre engineering team where people ship quickly and own meaningful parts of the product.
The Role
This is a hands-on Engineering Manager role in a fast-paced startup environment. You’ll work closely with the CTO, Product, Design, and senior engineers to help our engineering pods deliver high-quality product work at pace. You’ll be responsible for creating clarity around what teams are working on, how confident we are in delivery, what risks need attention, and how engineers are growing. This is not a process-for-process’s-sake role. We need someone who can build lightweight, visible systems that help a strong team move faster with more confidence.
- Own the day-to-day operating rhythm for engineering pods, including planning, standups/check-ins, delivery tracking, forecasting, and escalation.
- Line manage engineers, supporting performance, growth, feedback, wellbeing, and progression.
- Coach pod leads and senior engineers as they take on more delivery, coordination, and technical leadership responsibility.
- Help teams break down ambiguous product work into clear, well-owned, deliverable plans.
- Create transparent delivery forecasts in real calendar terms, with confidence levels, risks, and trade-offs visible early.
- Partner closely with Product and Design so that engineering plans are realistic, well-sequenced, and commercially aligned.
- Improve our engineering management systems as we scale from two feature pods toward three and beyond.
- Support hiring by helping us assess candidates rigorously and onboard new engineers effectively.
You’ll be joining at an important scaling point: the product is live with enterprise customers, the team is growing, and the engineering operating model is still malleable enough for the right person to shape it meaningfully.
What We’re Looking For
We’re looking for an experienced Engineering Manager who has already managed engineers in a high-accountability product environment.
Core experience- Previous experience as an Engineering Manager, including formal line management of software engineers.
- Experience managing delivery for product engineering teams shipping customer-facing software.
- Strong judgement around planning, sequencing, estimation, risk management, and escalation.
- Able to build lightweight, visible team operating systems rather than simply running inherited rituals.
- Comfortable giving direct, constructive feedback and holding a high performance bar.
- Strong written and verbal communication, especially around trade-offs, risks, and decisions.
- Commercial and product judgement: able to understand why delivery, UX, quality, and customer commitments matter.
- Enough technical depth to challenge plans, ask good questions, and understand engineering trade-offs.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity, with real deadlines, shifting priorities, and high expectations.
- Experience in a startup, scale-up, or similarly fast-moving product environment.
- Experience managing teams through rapid headcount growth.
- Experience working with pods, squads, or small autonomous product teams.
- Experience hiring engineers and improving interview signal.
- Experience in B2B SaaS, enterprise software, AI products, or learning/adoption platforms.
- Experience using AI tools to improve your own effectiveness and team workflows.
Why Join PAIR?
- Shape the engineering org at the point it scales.
- High leverage: This role sits close to the CTO, Product, and senior engineers. Your work will directly affect how quickly and confidently we can ship.
- Strong team, real ambition: We hire carefully and are building a high-calibre team that wants to do meaningful work at pace.
- Product with live customer impact: PAIR is already used by real organisations adopting AI, with significant scope to improve and expand the platform.
- Ownership without heavy bureaucracy: We want better systems, not bloated process. The right person will have room to shape how we scale.
Engineering Manager employer: PAIR
PAIR is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the fast-evolving AI landscape. With a strong focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, you will have the opportunity to shape the engineering organisation as it scales, while working closely with senior leadership and a talented team. Enjoy the benefits of a hybrid work model in London, competitive compensation, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that are already making waves in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their products, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work, make sure to highlight them during interviews. Demonstrating your past successes can really set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at PAIR.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for AI:When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for AI and how it can transform work. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your passion for this field.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication. Make sure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. Highlight your key achievements and skills without unnecessary fluff.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Engineering Manager role. Show us how your experience aligns with what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team.
How to prepare for a job interview at PAIR
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you understand PAIR's mission and how they help teams harness AI. Familiarise yourself with their platform and recent projects, especially those involving enterprise customers. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Prepare for Technical and Management Questions
As an Engineering Manager, you'll need to demonstrate both technical depth and management skills. Be ready to discuss your past experiences managing delivery, handling risks, and coaching engineers. Think of specific examples where you've successfully navigated challenges in a fast-paced environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
During the interview, highlight your approach to building lightweight operating systems and fostering team growth. Discuss how you provide constructive feedback and maintain high performance standards. This will help them see how you can shape their engineering culture as they scale.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company’s goals. Inquire about their current engineering processes, how they envision scaling the team, and what challenges they foresee. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
