Head of Software Engineering

Head of Software Engineering

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Talent Locker

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a talented engineering team while staying hands-on with coding and technical decisions.
  • Company: Join a VC-backed tech startup transforming logistics with data and real-time analytics.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Exciting opportunity to influence technical strategy and work alongside top talent.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of innovative products and make a real impact in a fast-paced setting.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leading engineering teams and building scalable backend platforms.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

Head of Software Engineering, London (4 days in office)

Are you a hands‑on engineering leader who thrives in a startup environment?

Do you enjoy building products from the ground up, leading talented engineers, and still getting stuck into the technical detail?

This is an opportunity to join a well‑funded, VC‑backed technology business that's transforming the logistics industry through data, real‑time analytics and intelligent decision‑making.

Their platform processes vast amounts of complex data to solve real operational challenges, and they're only just getting started.

As Head of Engineering, you'll lead a team of six highly capable engineers while remaining technically hands‑on.

This isn't a role where you'll spend your days in meetings.

You'll be involved in architectural decisions, technical problem‑solving, mentoring the team and helping shape the future of the product alongside the CTO.

They're looking for someone who combines strong technical credibility with confident leadership.

You'll need the confidence to challenge ideas, influence senior stakeholders and make difficult decisions when required, all whilst creating an environment where engineers can do their best work.

This role would suit someone who has already helped build and scale a product within a startup or high‑growth business and has seen products through the full lifecycle, from early concept to successful delivery and continuous improvement.

You'll ideally bring experience with

  • Leading and developing high‑performing engineering teams while remaining hands‑on
  • Building scalable backend platforms using Python
  • Distributed systems, real‑time data processing and modern backend architecture
  • Streaming technologies such as Kafka or similar
  • Designing production systems that operate at scale
  • Working closely with product, architecture and executive leadership to shape technical direction
  • Making sound engineering decisions whilst balancing speed, quality and commercial priorities

You'll also be an excellent communicator who can explain technical concepts clearly, influence stakeholders across the business and confidently push back when needed.

This is a business with exceptionally high standards.

They're building something ambitious, move quickly, and expect people to take ownership and deliver.

If you enjoy working alongside talented people in an environment where your contribution genuinely shapes the future of the company, you'll fit right in.

If you're looking for a senior engineering leadership role where you can still write code, influence technical strategy and play a key part in scaling an exciting product business, we'd love to hear from you.

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Head of Software Engineering employer: Talent Locker

Talent Locker is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation thrives. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to cutting-edge technologies and collaborative teams that foster creativity and professional development. The competitive salary, performance bonuses, and outstanding benefits make it a rewarding place to advance your career in AI and machine learning.

Talent Locker

Contact Details:

Talent Locker 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 Talent Locker 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 Talent Locker.

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 Talent Locker.

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 Talent Locker 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

Python
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
SQL
Data Engineering
ETL/ELT Processes
Data Pipeline Development

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 Talent Locker.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Talent Locker 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 Talent Locker

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 Talent Locker 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.