At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team of engineers and shape the future of a cutting-edge platform.
- Company: Fast-growing startup with a mission to innovate in a regulated space.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced team and drive innovation in AI and cloud technology.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a foundational leadership role at a dynamic startup.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in engineering leadership, ideally in a startup environment.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
We’re working with a fast-growing, venture-backed startup building a leading platform in a regulated space, already used daily by dozens of organisations. They’re looking for an experienced, highly technical Head of Engineering to lead their talent-dense team of founding engineers and take ownership of how they build. This is a leadership role with huge scope - you’ll take on much of what the founding CTO carries today across product, people, process, architecture and security. Fast-paced, high-impact, and genuinely foundational to where the company goes next.
What you’ll do:
- Lead and grow a small team of senior founding engineers: 1:1s, growth plans, feedback and hiring
- Own product prioritisation and the roadmap, working directly with customers and commercial stakeholders
- Lead architecture decisions across a major cloud platform, including the company’s AI infrastructure
- Own reliability, observability, DevOps and CI/CD for a platform multiple organisations depend on daily
What they’re looking for:
- 5+ years as an engineering leader in a fast-paced startup environment
- Ideally, experience as a founding CTO or first engineering leader at an early-stage company
- Up to date with the latest AI-assisted developer tools and workflows (e.g. Cursor, Claude Code)
- Experience operating an enterprise-ready B2B SaaS product, including SSO and bespoke client security requirements
- Strong DevOps/CI/CD background with a high bar for reliability
- Strong startup instincts, high agency, and confidence liaising with business stakeholders
Head of Engineering employer: trg.
As a Lead Data Engineer at our innovative AI startup in London, you'll be at the forefront of building cutting-edge data architecture from scratch, with direct access to the founders and significant influence over the product roadmap. We foster a dynamic work culture that values creativity and ownership, offering meaningful equity and the opportunity to shape the future of a disruptive technology in a rapidly evolving market. Join us for a rewarding career where your contributions will directly impact our success and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of 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 trg. 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 trg..
✨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 trg..
✨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 trg. 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 Engineering
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 trg..
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at trg. 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 trg.
✨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 trg. 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.
