Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds
Lead Engineer (Digital Library)

Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team to develop innovative digital library services and infrastructure.
  • Company: Join a prestigious university with a focus on digital innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 42 days of holiday, generous pension, and health perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in digital humanities while mentoring a talented team.
  • Qualifications: Extensive Python and MS SQL Server experience required.
  • Other info: Flexible work arrangements and excellent career development opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We are seeking a dynamic and highly skilled Lead Engineer with extensive Python skills to lead the project work of a development team for Digital Library services. The role will be based on the university campus with scope for hybrid work and flexible arrangements.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the delivery of the technical infrastructure and services of the Digital Library Infrastructure Project (DLIP), both during and beyond the project's lifetime.
  • Oversee the implementation of an updated Cultural Collections website, improving user experience, access and digital creativity using the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF).
  • Develop a modern data platform that merges data from diverse sources into a linked data format (Linked Art) and supports a graph‐based search engine for research and teaching.
  • Improve processes for storing and managing digital surrogates and digital‐born content, adopting the Oxford Common File Layout (OCFL) standard.
  • Build a foundational cloud infrastructure for digital humanities research and teaching.
  • Provide hands‐on application development using Python and MS SQL Server, while mentoring and supporting a small team of Application Engineers.
  • Engage closely with internal stakeholders, technical suppliers, consultants and peer institutions.
  • Develop and apply strong digital library domain knowledge, including digital asset management, digital scholarship, IIIF, OCFL, Linked Art and graph‐based search technologies.
  • Ensure user documentation is developed and maintained in line with standard operating procedures, industry best practice, IT standards and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

  • Extensive full‐stack application development and implementation experience, with Python and MS SQL Server.
  • Hands‐on development skills and proven ability to lead and support a small technical team.
  • Strong knowledge of digital library standards and best practices (IIIF, OCFL, Linked Art).
  • Experience with graph‐based search engines, linked data and cloud infrastructure.
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to liaise with stakeholders, suppliers and partner institutions.

Benefits

  • 26 days holiday plus approximately 16 Bank Holidays/days the University is closed – 42 days a year.
  • Generous pension scheme plus life assurance – the University contributes 14.5%.
  • Health and Wellbeing: Discounted staff membership at The Edge campus gym, with pool, sauna, climbing wall, cycle circuit and sports halls.
  • Personal Development: Access to courses run by our Organisational Development & Professional Learning team.
  • Access to on‐site childcare, shopping discounts and travel schemes.

Contact: Anna Cale, Operations Manager Email: a.p.cale@leeds.ac.uk

Seniority level: Mid‐Senior level Employment type: Full‐time Job function: Engineering and Information Technology Industries: Higher Education

Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds employer: University of Leeds

As a leading institution in higher education, we offer an exceptional work environment for our Lead Engineer in the Digital Library Infrastructure Project. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, our flexible working arrangements and generous benefits package—including 42 days of holiday and a robust pension scheme—ensure a healthy work-life balance. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and creativity, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to make a meaningful impact in digital scholarship and library services.
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Contact Detail:

University of Leeds Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially anything related to digital libraries and Python development. Practise common interview questions and be ready to showcase your technical skills and leadership experience.

Tip Number 3

Show off your portfolio! If you've worked on relevant projects, make sure to have a solid portfolio ready to share. Highlight your experience with Python, MS SQL Server, and any digital library standards you've implemented.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are excited about our mission. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the crowd!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds

Python
MS SQL Server
Digital Asset Management
International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF)
Oxford Common File Layout (OCFL)
Linked Art
Graph-Based Search Technologies
Cloud Infrastructure
Full-Stack Application Development
Team Leadership
Stakeholder Engagement
User Documentation Development
Digital Library Standards and Best Practices
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Engineer role. Highlight your extensive Python skills and experience with digital library standards like IIIF and OCFL. We want to see how your background aligns with our project needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about digital libraries and how you can lead our team. Be sure to mention any relevant projects you've worked on that showcase your leadership and technical skills.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don’t forget to highlight your hands-on development experience with Python and MS SQL Server. We’re looking for someone who can not only lead but also get stuck in with the coding, so let us know what you've built!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at University of Leeds

Know Your Python Inside Out

Since the role requires extensive Python skills, make sure you brush up on your knowledge. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how you've used Python to solve complex problems. Practising coding challenges can also help you demonstrate your technical prowess.

Familiarise Yourself with Digital Library Standards

Understanding IIIF, OCFL, and Linked Art is crucial for this position. Do some research on these standards and think about how they apply to the role. You might even want to prepare a few examples of how you've worked with similar technologies in the past.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead Engineer, you'll be expected to mentor a small team. Think of specific instances where you've led a project or supported team members. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you foster collaboration and innovation within a team.

Engage with Stakeholders

Communication is key in this role. Prepare to talk about how you've successfully liaised with various stakeholders in previous positions. Consider discussing any challenges you faced and how you overcame them to ensure project success.

Lead Engineer (Digital Library) in Leeds
University of Leeds
Location: Leeds
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