Head of Software Engineering
Location: London, UK (Hybrid)
Overview
We are partnering with a high-growth technology business seeking an experienced Head of Software Engineering to lead the development and delivery of mission‑critical, high-performance systems operating within a fast‑paced, highly available environment.
This role will lead a team of engineers responsible for building scalable, low‑latency platforms and driving engineering excellence across architecture, delivery, and operational performance. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping technical strategy, mentoring engineering teams, and collaborating closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on engineering leader who thrives in complex technical environments and enjoys balancing strategic leadership with technical depth.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of software engineers responsible for the development and maintenance of high‑performance distributed systems
- Collaborate with global engineering teams to support parallel development initiatives and platform consistency
- Provide technical leadership across performance optimisation, scalability, reliability, and functionality
- Drive delivery of engineering projects within agreed timelines and quality standards
- Support the design, development, and testing of highly reliable software services
- Contribute to technical strategy and operational planning alongside senior leadership teams
- Champion engineering best practices, including Agile delivery, automated testing, and continuous improvement
- Mentor and develop engineers across the wider technology function
- Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex engineering and operational issues
- Support operational availability requirements within a business‑critical environment
- Work cross‑functionally with product, operations, and technology leadership to deliver strategic initiatives and new platform capabilities
Requirements
- Strong background in software engineering leadership within high‑availability or low‑latency environments
- Excellent knowledge of algorithms, data structures, and system design
- Strong commercial experience with C++
- Strong SQL/database knowledge
- Experience working with cloud technologies and modern infrastructure environments
- Proven experience delivering complex technical projects in Agile environments
- Strong understanding of automated testing and engineering best practices
- Experience leading distributed or globally aligned engineering teams
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands‑on technical involvement
- Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred
