Head of Software Engineering

Head of Software Engineering

Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead engineering teams to deliver innovative cloud-native platforms and digital products.
  • Company: Forward-thinking digital financial services organisation undergoing transformation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, private medical insurance, and up to 50% annual bonus.
  • Other info: Opportunity for strong career progression and influence across technology and product.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of technology while driving impactful digital transformation.
  • Qualifications: Proven leadership in engineering, strong technical background, and experience with cloud environments.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

We're partnering with a forward-thinking digital financial services organisation undergoing significant technology transformation.

They're looking for a Head of Engineering to lead a core engineering pillar delivering modern, scalable, cloud-native platforms across mobile, web, and APIs.

This is a senior leadership opportunity to drive engineering excellence, deliver high-impact digital products, and shape the future of customer-facing technology.

  • What you'll be doing
  • Lead a key digital engineering function with full ownership of delivery across platforms
  • Oversee development of customer-facing mobile, web, and API products
  • Drive delivery of cloud-native applications (Google Cloud environment)
  • Lead engineering across mobile (Flutter), web (Next. js), and backend services
  • Embed automation and AI capabilities into digital customer journeys
  • Champion engineering standards, CI/CD, and Dev Ops practices
  • Oversee Kubernetes-based deployments, Git Ops, and modern tooling (e. g. Argo CD)
  • Collaborate closely with Product, Architecture, and Security stakeholders
  • Build, mentor, and scale high-performing engineering teams

What we're looking for

  • Proven experience leading engineering or digital delivery teams at scale
  • Strong technical background as a hands-on senior engineer earlier in your career
  • Track record delivering cloud-native, microservices-based systems
  • Strong experience with Google Cloud Platform (or similar cloud environments)
  • Deep understanding of CI/CD, Kubernetes, and Dev Ops practices
  • Experience working in regulated environments (e. g. Financial services) is highly desirable
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
  • Bonus: Up to 50% annual bonus
  • Hybrid working: 3 days onsite (London), 2 days remote
  • Income protection
  • Private medical insurance
  • Life assurance
  • Additional benefits including pension and flexible perks

Why consider this role?

  • Lead a business-critical engineering function with real ownership
  • Work on modern technology stack (cloud, microservices, AI-enabled platforms)
  • Play a key role in a large-scale digital transformation journey
  • Strong leadership exposure and influence across technology and product
  • High-impact role with clear progression potential
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Head of Software Engineering employer: SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM

At SR2, we pride ourselves on being a socially responsible employer that values innovation and collaboration in the defence aerospace sector. Our Cheltenham location fosters a dynamic work culture where engineers can thrive, with ample opportunities for professional growth and involvement in high-profile projects that make a real impact. Join us to be part of a team that not only prioritises excellence but also champions ethical practices in recruitment and project execution.

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM

Contact Details:

SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Software Engineering

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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM 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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM.

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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM.

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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM 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 Head of Software Engineering

Leadership Skills
Cloud-Native Development
Google Cloud Platform
Mobile Development (Flutter)
Web Development (Next.js)
API Development
CI/CD Practices

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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM 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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM

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 SR2 | Socially Responsible Recruitment | Certified B CorporationTM 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.