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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop and enhance our online tutoring platform.
- Company: Join Spires, a fast-growing online tutoring marketplace with a startup vibe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, 31 days holiday, and a free gym.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education technology while working closely with the CEO.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software development and 2+ years in management required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Company
Spires is a fast-growing online tutoring marketplace connecting students with expert tutors across the world. Our platform powers thousands of lessons each month and is central to delivering a seamless experience for students, tutors, and our internal operations team. As we continue to scale, we are investing in strengthening our technology leadership to improve our platform, support new product verticals, and better integrate our internal systems. This is an exciting opportunity to join a lean, ambitious startup environment where your work will directly shape the future of the platform and the company.
About the Role
We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take ownership of the development and evolution of the Spires platform. You will lead a small team of developers, helping to guide their technical development while remaining hands-on in building and improving the platform. Working closely with the CEO and Founder, you will help translate business priorities into technical solutions, influence product direction, and ensure our systems scale as the company grows. You will play a key role in enhancing our online tutoring platform, integrating it more deeply with our operational systems, and supporting the development of new product verticals. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys startup environments, takes ownership of systems, and wants the opportunity to shape both technology and product strategy within a growing company.
Responsibilities
- Technology Leadership
- Lead and mentor a small team of developers (currently two), supporting their development and ensuring high engineering standards
- Provide technical guidance, code review, and architectural direction
- Help establish scalable development processes and best practices
- Platform Development
- Improve and expand our tutoring marketplace and client management systems
- Build and maintain full stack features using modern technologies
- Take ownership of core areas of the platform and internal tooling
- Product & Business Collaboration
- Work closely with the CEO, Founder, and senior team to translate business priorities into product and engineering solutions
- Collaborate with sales, marketing, and operations teams to improve internal systems and workflows
- Support the development of new product verticals and platform capabilities
- Technical Strategy
- Contribute to architectural decisions and long-term platform scalability
- Identify opportunities to improve performance, reliability, and user experience
- Support data-driven product improvements through analytics and experimentation
Qualifications
- Degree (2:1 or equivalent preferred) in Computer Science or related discipline
Required Skills
- 5+ years experience as a Senior Full Stack or Software Developer
- 2+ years of proven management experience
- Strong experience with React and modern frontend development
- Backend development experience (Java preferred)
- Solid knowledge of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Experience working with PostgreSQL databases
- Experience using Git in a collaborative development environment
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders
Preferred Skills
- Experience with PHP
- Familiarity with Google Cloud infrastructure
- Experience using Google Analytics, Search Console, or experimentation tools
- Understanding of marketplace platforms or EdTech products
- Experience managing developers or owning product features end-to-end
- Experience working in a startup or high-growth environment
Pay range and compensation package
- £60,000–£80,000 salary
- Direct involvement in company strategy and product direction
- Hybrid working (2 days WFH per week)
- 31 days holiday
- Company pension
- Free on-site gym (Canary Wharf office)
- Regular team socials
- New Apple MacBook Pro (personal use permitted)
- Training, workshops, and mentorship programmes
- Friendly, supportive office culture with a strong focus on growth
Lead Software Engineer in Slough employer: Spires Online Tutoring
Contact Detail:
Spires Online Tutoring Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who might know someone at Spires. A personal introduction can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those that highlight your experience with React and full-stack development. This will give you an edge when discussing your technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by understanding Spires' mission and values. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their growth and technology leadership.
✨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 the Spires team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise, especially in React and backend development.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're excited about joining Spires. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or contributed to tech projects, and how you can help shape our platform's future.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don’t shy away from showcasing your technical prowess. Mention any relevant projects or technologies you've worked with, particularly those that demonstrate your full stack capabilities and experience with PostgreSQL.
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 this exciting opportunity to join our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spires Online Tutoring
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially React and Java. Brush up on your full stack development skills and be ready to discuss your experience with PostgreSQL databases. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role but also genuinely interested in the tech they use.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Software Engineer, you'll be guiding a small team. Prepare examples of how you've mentored developers in the past or led projects. Highlight your management experience and how you’ve helped teams achieve high engineering standards. This will demonstrate your capability to take ownership and lead effectively.
✨Understand the Business Side
Since this role involves translating business priorities into technical solutions, do your homework on Spires and its marketplace. Be ready to discuss how you can align technology with business goals. This shows that you’re not just a techie but also understand the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
You’ll be working closely with various teams, so expect questions about collaboration. Think of times when you’ve worked with non-technical stakeholders or cross-functional teams. Share how you communicated complex ideas clearly and contributed to product direction, as this is key in a startup environment.