At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop cutting-edge software for motorsport and high-performance engineering.
- Company: Join Smedley Group, a leader in innovative technology for motorsport.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, pension scheme, 33 days holiday, and childcare support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to empowering all team members.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced environment with real-time applications and AI integration.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering, strong Python skills, and experience with APIs and data systems.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Smedley Group builds the technology platforms behind a new generation of motorsport and high-performance engineering ventures. The technology we build powers race operations, real-time telemetry, analytics, and the operational tooling behind the group's growth, with further technology-led ventures planned beyond FKL.
We build software that has to perform in demanding, real-time environments and we are looking for engineers who want to see their work used at the trackside, on the screen, and across the business.
As Lead Software Developer, you will build the software platform behind Smedley Group’s motorsport and technology ventures. You will lead a small developer team, set engineering standards, review technical decisions and remain actively involved in the codebase. You will work across race operations tooling, real-time data, telemetry, analytics, internal dashboards, integrations and AI-enabled workflow tools. This role is suited to someone who combines strong software engineering fundamentals with practical delivery pace: an engineer who can architect systems, write production code, mentor others, use AI tools intelligently and ship reliable software in a fast-moving environment.
- Set standards for code quality, testing, documentation, architecture and deployment.
- Review pull requests, challenge technical decisions and ensure the team ships maintainable production software.
- Help shape the development culture as the technology function scales.
Architecture & Technical Direction
- Translate product and operational requirements into clear technical designs, implementation plans and delivery roadmaps.
- Design, build and maintain production-grade applications, APIs, dashboards, data tools and operational systems.
- Work across back-end systems, integrations, data workflows and front-end applications where required.
- Work with stakeholders across operations, engineering, finance, commercial and leadership to turn business problems into reliable software.
Data, AI & Automation
- Build tools that support real-time data, telemetry, analytics, reporting and operational decision-making.
- Identify opportunities to use AI-enabled workflows, automation and internal tools to improve speed, quality and business efficiency.
- Help embed practical AI-assisted development methods across the team.
- Build CI/CD pipelines, standardise deployment processes, observability, testing and developer tooling.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
- 5+ years of professional software engineering experience.
- Strong proficiency in Python, including production-grade application development.
- Experience designing, building and maintaining APIs, services and data-driven applications.
- Strong understanding of software architecture, clean code, testing and scalable system design.
- Practical use of AI, LLMs or agentic development tools in day-to-day software development.
- Ability to work directly with non-technical stakeholders and turn ambiguous requirements into working software.
- Experience with React, TypeScript or modern JavaScript frameworks.
- Experience with FastAPI or similar Python API frameworks.
- Familiarity with SQL, databases and data modelling.
- Experience with data-intensive, telemetry, analytics, dashboarding or real-time systems.
- Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, AWS or similar cloud infrastructure.
- Experience building LLM-powered tools, AI agents, RAG systems, prompt-driven interfaces or document intelligence workflows.
- Experience in motorsport, automotive, robotics, simulation, manufacturing or other high-performance engineering environments.
Benefits
- Private medical insurance
- Pension scheme with salary sacrifice option
- Life assurance (death in service)
- 33 days holiday including bank holidays
- Childcare support via salary sacrifice
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
FAT Karting League is committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion, belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We strive to be a team that supports diversity in the workplace and promotes an inclusive culture in which all team members are respected, empowered, and valued.
Senior Software Developer - Hybrid employer: Smedley Group
Smedley Group is an excellent employer for those seeking a dynamic and rewarding role in the events industry. With a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and enthusiasm, employees enjoy opportunities for personal growth and skill development while working at exciting events across the UK. The company also offers flexible weekend hours, making it an ideal choice for those looking to balance work with other commitments.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer - Hybrid
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Smedley Group or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Smedley Group.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Smedley Group.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Smedley Group that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer - Hybrid
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Smedley Group.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Smedley Group and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smedley Group
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Smedley Group uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
