At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and scale our software engineering function while overseeing system design and delivery processes.
- Company: Join a thriving organisation focused on software engineering excellence and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work options, competitive salary, and great corporate perks.
- Other info: Opportunity to step into a Head of Engineering role with immediate interviews available.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in software engineering with 3+ years in leadership; strong technical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49000 - 70000 £ per year.
We are looking for a strategic, hands-on Head of Engineering to lead and scale our software engineering function. This senior leadership role will focus heavily on software engineering excellence across full-stack development, system design, architecture, and software delivery processes — while also overseeing our data engineering, cloud infrastructure, and security functions.
You will be responsible for setting the technical direction, improving engineering velocity and quality, establishing modern practices across the SDLC, and growing a high-performing team capable of building and maintaining complex, scalable systems. You must have a proven track record of delivering enterprise-grade applications and services, with deep experience in both legacy and modern technology stacks.
Key Responsibilities- Software Engineering Leadership
- Set and own the technical roadmap, ensuring architectural scalability, security, performance, and maintainability of all software systems.
- Oversee full lifecycle software development — from requirements, technical design, development, testing, deployment, to post-release monitoring and maintenance.
- Establish, enforce, and continuously evolve software engineering best practices (e.g., SOLID principles, domain-driven design, clean architecture, modular monoliths vs microservices).
- Drive consistency in coding standards, code review rigor, and software craftsmanship.
- Lead critical system architecture decisions, including technology stack evolution, refactoring legacy components, and designing future-state systems.
- Ensure integration patterns and service contracts across internal and external APIs are robust, secure, and scalable.
- System Integration & Platform Ownership
- Oversee integration between business systems using APIs, middleware, and ETL pipelines, including Salesforce, Power Platform (PowerApps, PowerAutomate, LogicApps), SharePoint, and custom web applications.
- Lead optimization and governance around API design (RESTful services, rate limiting, versioning, monitoring, etc.).
- Ensure high data consistency, operational integrity, and well-documented interface contracts between services.
- Software Delivery, CI/CD & DevOps
- Define and implement scalable CI/CD pipelines using modern DevOps tooling, including automated build, test, deploy, and rollback strategies.
- Champion continuous delivery practices with robust unit, integration, contract, and end-to-end testing frameworks.
- Drive metrics around deployment frequency, lead time, change failure rate, and mean time to recovery (MTTR).
- Collaborate with cloud engineers to align infrastructure strategy with software delivery needs.
- Cloud-Native Engineering (Azure)
- Lead the development of scalable cloud-native applications and services using Microsoft Azure, including Azure Functions, LogicApps, and container-based services.
- Drive cost-effective use of cloud services and performance optimization across environments.
- Ensure cloud architectures support observability, fault tolerance, and high availability.
- Data Engineering & Intelligent Systems
- Guide the engineering team in data modelling, data access patterns, and efficient use of databases (MSSQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL).
- Work with data engineers to enable secure, efficient data movement between systems, including real-time and batch processing pipelines.
- Support analytics and reporting needs through the engineering of clean, reliable data sources and APIs.
- Security Engineering & Governance
- Partner with security engineers to integrate security throughout the software lifecycle (shift-left security, secure coding, threat modelling).
- Own the implementation of secure authentication/authorization practices, audit logging, encryption at rest/in transit, and other application security standards.
- Ensure software and infrastructure meet organizational security and compliance requirements (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001, OWASP Top 10).
- Team Management & Culture
- Build and scale high-performance engineering teams, including backend, frontend, full-stack, data, and security engineers.
- Define and track KPIs for engineering productivity, quality, and performance.
- Promote an engineering culture grounded in ownership, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Provide technical mentoring and career growth paths for engineers at all levels.
- Education
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Experience
- 8+ years of software engineering experience with 3+ years in an engineering leadership role.
- Proven experience designing and delivering complex, scalable, multi-tier web applications.
- Strong history of transforming monoliths to modular or microservice architectures.
- Hands-on experience with modern CI/CD pipelines, test automation, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Experience managing and integrating with third-party systems and platforms such as Salesforce, Azure, SharePoint, and Power Platform.
- Experience working with secure, data-driven applications and distributed systems.
- Technical Skills
- Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript (Node.js, browser frameworks)
- Backend: PHP (Symfony, Smarty), C# (.NET Core), Azure Functions (Node.js / PowerShell), PowerShell
- Database: MSSQL, PostgreSQL (including JSON), MySQL/MariaDB
- Integration: REST APIs, ETL, Azure Data Factory
- DevOps/Infra: CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps), containerization, Azure PaaS
- Security: Secure development lifecycle, OWASP, authentication/authorization protocols
- Leadership Attributes
- Technically credible leader with the ability to deep-dive on architecture and code when necessary.
- Strong decision-making skills backed by analytical rigor and a data-driven mindset.
- Passionate about growing talent and building healthy, inclusive engineering teams.
- Adept at working across stakeholders in product, business, security, and operations to deliver cross-functional value.
- Highly effective communicator and change agent capable of aligning engineering initiatives with business strategy.
We are looking for an experienced Systems Development Manager looking to take the next step into a Head of Engineering role with a thriving organisation. Please reach out with your latest CV to have an informal chat about this role. The client is keen to start interviewing next week for interested candidates.
System Development Manager in Reading employer: TRIA
Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises innovation and excellence in software engineering. With a strong emphasis on remote working and a vibrant office culture in Glasgow, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth. Our commitment to fostering a collaborative environment ensures that you will thrive while leading a talented team dedicated to building scalable systems and advancing your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land System Development Manager in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in software engineering and cloud-native applications, especially within Microsoft Azure. Being able to discuss recent advancements or case studies during your conversations can demonstrate your passion and knowledge in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to showcase your leadership experience by thinking of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or project. Highlighting your ability to build high-performing teams and promote an engineering culture will resonate well with the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of StudySmarter on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with them can provide you with insider insights about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your approach to implementing CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices. Having a clear strategy or examples of how you've improved software delivery processes in previous roles will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace System Development Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software engineering leadership, system design, and cloud-native applications. Use keywords from the job description to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for engineering excellence and your strategic vision for leading a software engineering team. Mention specific achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Technical Skills:In your application, emphasise your hands-on experience with modern technology stacks, CI/CD pipelines, and secure development practices. Provide examples of how you've successfully delivered complex, scalable applications.
Highlight Leadership Experience:Detail your experience in building and managing high-performing teams. Discuss how you've fostered an engineering culture of collaboration and continuous learning, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at TRIA
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a System Development Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of software engineering principles and practices. Be prepared to discuss your experience with full-stack development, system design, and architecture in detail, highlighting specific projects where you've successfully implemented these skills.
✨Prepare for Leadership Questions
Since this role involves leading a team, expect questions about your leadership style and how you manage teams. Think of examples where you've built high-performing teams, promoted collaboration, and fostered a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
✨Discuss Your Experience with CI/CD and DevOps
Given the emphasis on modern software delivery practices, be ready to talk about your hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps tooling. Share specific instances where you've implemented these practices to improve engineering velocity and quality.
✨Align Your Vision with the Company's Goals
Research the company's mission and values, and be prepared to articulate how your technical direction aligns with their business strategy. This shows that you're not only technically proficient but also understand the broader impact of engineering decisions on the organisation.
