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- Tasks: Lead backend development and ensure platform stability while driving technical improvements.
- Company: Established SaaS business in the construction tech space with a strong market presence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity participation, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Opportunity for technical leadership and influence on engineering culture.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and shape the future of a proven product in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong backend engineering experience, ideally in PHP and SaaS platforms.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
A well-established SaaS business within the construction technology space is seeking a hands-on Lead Engineer with a strong backend focus to take technical ownership of a proven platform entering its next phase of growth. The company has spent more than eight years building software that is actively used by professionals operating in demanding, real-world construction environments. The platform supports project tracking, cost management, operational workflows, and site delivery across a growing customer base.
Following a significant rebuild of the product and strong recent commercial growth, the business is now scaling into larger enterprise-level construction customers. The technical foundations are in place, and the next phase is focused on scalability, system reliability, and continued product evolution.
You will take primary responsibility for the backend platform, working closely alongside an established frontend team and contributing to a wider ecosystem that includes both web and mobile applications with offline-first functionality.
- Maintaining platform stability and performance as usage scales
- Balancing feature delivery with long-term technical improvements
- Strong backend engineering experience is essential, ideally within modern PHP environments and production SaaS platforms operating at scale
- SQL schema design and optimisation
- Exposure to frontend technologies such as React and TypeScript is beneficial, although the primary focus of the role remains backend ownership and systems thinking
Most importantly, the business is looking for someone pragmatic, commercially aware, and confident in their technical judgement — someone motivated by ownership and long-term impact rather than simply feature delivery. This is an opportunity to join a stable, well-funded business with a proven product, genuine market demand, and strong long-term backing.
The company is investing heavily into the next stage of growth, creating an opportunity for the right individual to play a highly influential role in shaping both the technology and engineering culture moving forward. There is also a clear pathway into broader technical leadership as the business expands, alongside long-term incentive alignment through equity participation.
This position would suit an engineer looking to move beyond pure development work into a role centred around ownership, technical direction, and long-term product evolution within a growing SaaS environment.
Lead Engineer (Backend Focus) in Manchester employer: TONIC
Contact Detail:
TONIC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer (Backend Focus) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction tech space and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A personal recommendation can go a long way in landing that Lead Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository that highlights your backend projects, especially those using PHP and SQL. This will give potential employers a clear view of your technical prowess and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on system design and scalability topics. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled performance issues in the past and how you plan to maintain platform stability as usage grows.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who are passionate about ownership and long-term impact. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer (Backend Focus) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Backend Engineering: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for backend engineering shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on, especially those that highlight your experience with PHP and SaaS platforms. We love to see how you’ve tackled challenges and made a real impact.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Make sure to customise your application to fit our needs. Highlight your experience with SQL schema design and optimisation, and mention any exposure to frontend technologies like React and TypeScript. This shows us you understand the full ecosystem and can collaborate effectively with our frontend team.
Demonstrate Your Pragmatic Approach: We’re looking for someone who’s not just about delivering features but also about long-term impact. In your application, share instances where you balanced immediate needs with long-term technical improvements. This will help us see your strategic thinking and ownership mentality.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at TONIC
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in backend technologies, especially modern PHP environments. Brush up on SQL schema design and optimisation, as these will likely come up during technical discussions. Being able to confidently discuss your past experiences with these technologies will show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. The company is looking for someone pragmatic and commercially aware, so highlight instances where your technical judgement led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to balance feature delivery with long-term improvements.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the construction technology space and the specific challenges it faces. Knowing how your role as a Lead Engineer can impact project tracking, cost management, and operational workflows will help you connect your technical skills to the company's goals. It shows you’re not just about coding but also about driving business success.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Team Dynamics
Since you'll be working closely with a frontend team, think about how you can contribute to a collaborative environment. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked in cross-functional teams before. This will highlight your ability to influence engineering culture and your readiness for a leadership role as the company grows.