At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering and AI initiatives, mentor teams, and drive automation strategies.
- Company: Dynamic tech company focused on innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of engineering and AI while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in leadership roles with strong technical and strategic skills.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and support throughout the recruitment process.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (with occasional travel to office or client sites)
Type: Permanent
Salary: £90,000 - £100,000
We are looking for a Head of Engineering & AI to take ownership of our engineering, test automation, and AI-led product capability. This is a senior leadership role where you will shape strategy, lead high-performing engineering and QA teams, and drive the development of automation frameworks, products, and services used across multiple client environments.
What You Will Be Doing
- Leadership & Strategy
- Lead and mentor Product Managers, Developers, and QA Automation Engineers across client-facing and remote teams
- Set the technical direction for engineering, automation, and AI initiatives
- Act as the senior escalation point for automation, QA, and engineering delivery
- Define best practices, standards, and documentation for automation services
- Automation & QA Excellence
- Own and evolve automation strategies, frameworks, and service offerings
- Ensure automation coverage across UI, API, performance, accessibility, compatibility, and security testing
- Design and maintain reusable templates (e.g. automation strategies, reports, frameworks)
- Support automation assessments, proof-of-concepts, and delivery engagements
- Champion best-in-class tooling and methodologies across CI/CD pipelines
- Engineering Products & R&D
- Own and develop the engineering and automation product roadmap
- Lead continuous improvement through AI-driven testing and modern automation approaches
- Design and maintain demo and proof-of-concept environments
- Business Development & Partnerships
- Support bids, proposals, pilots, and client demonstrations
- Build business cases highlighting the value of automation and AI
- Develop and manage strategic partnerships with tooling providers
Leadership & Delivery
- 5-7+ years leading QA automation engineers, developers, or engineering teams
- Experience managing distributed, onshore, and offshore teams
- Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions
- Proven experience building product roadmaps and automation strategies
Technical Experience
- Strong background in modern test automation frameworks and tools (e.g. Selenium, Playwright, Cypress, Appium, Postman, Rest Assured, JMeter, BrowserStack, Sauce Labs)
- Experience implementing automation within CI/CD pipelines
- Hands-on coding experience (Java, .NET, React or similar)
- Exposure to AI-driven testing and evaluation of AI solutions
Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
Head of Engineering and AI employer: Sanderson Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering and AI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering and AI space. Attend industry meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects, especially those involving automation and AI. This is your chance to demonstrate your skills and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership experience. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams and driven successful projects. Practice common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are passionate about joining our team. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in engineering and AI – it’ll help you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering and AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Engineering & AI role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to drive automation and AI initiatives.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about engineering and AI, and how your vision aligns with our goals at StudySmarter. Be sure to mention specific achievements that demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to highlight your hands-on experience with modern test automation frameworks and tools. We want to see your familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and any coding experience you have, so make it clear!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Recruitment
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Head of Engineering & AI, you’ll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of modern test automation frameworks and tools. Brush up on your knowledge of Selenium, Playwright, and CI/CD pipelines, and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities, so prepare examples of how you've led and mentored teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. Highlight your experience with distributed teams as well!
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
You’ll be expected to set the technical direction and define best practices. Be ready to discuss your strategic thinking process and how you translate business needs into technical solutions. Have a few ideas on automation strategies or product roadmaps that you can share.
✨Demonstrate Your Business Acumen
Since this role involves supporting bids and developing partnerships, think about how you can highlight your experience in business development. Prepare to discuss how you've built business cases for automation and AI, and any successful partnerships you've managed.