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- Tasks: Lead software development for innovative agricultural tech, focusing on methane reduction.
- Company: Join ZELP, a pioneering agri-tech company dedicated to sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in agriculture while driving innovation in tech.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in software development, with leadership experience and strong technical skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on cross-functional teamwork and career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
About ZELP
ZELP is an agricultural technology company committed to creating a sustainable future for agriculture - one that meets the needs of present and future generations, promoting human and environmental health, animal welfare, and social and economic equity. Our first focus is to develop and scale technology that measures and mitigates methane emissions in the livestock industry. Today, 1.3 billion people rely on the industry for their livelihoods and food security. However, it is the single biggest human-driven source of methane emissions globally, emitting more than both the oil & gas industry and the coal industry. The deployment of our technologies on a global scale has the potential to drive half the global methane reduction needed by 2030, and to greatly transform the beef and dairy industries. ZELP was an inaugural winner of the Terra Carta Design Lab, and has received funding and support from the European Commission, Innovate UK, The Global Methane Hub and the Gates Foundation.
About The Role
As Head of Software Development, you will oversee the architecture, development, and delivery of all software components, spanning web applications, backend systems, and Machine Learning (ML) infrastructure. You will also be a key partner to the heads of Hardware, Design Engineering, and Animal Science, ensuring software is seamlessly integrated with physical systems, user experience, and domain expertise. This is a hands-on, strategic leadership role where you'll balance technical depth with people management, guiding your team while collaborating with cross-functional leaders to drive innovation.
Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership
- Define, implement, and scale the software architecture across web, backend, and ML systems.
- Maintain strong engineering standards for code quality, security, testing, and deployment.
- Lead key technical initiatives, occasionally contributing code or architecture reviews.
- Drive integration of software with hardware systems, sensors, and data pipelines.
- Management & Team Leadership
- Build, lead, and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Establish effective workflows for development, QA, deployment, and iteration.
- Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance engineering culture.
- Partner with People/HR in hiring and scaling the team.
- Cross-Functional & Strategic
- Collaborate closely with the heads of Hardware, Design Engineering, and Animal Science to ensure end-to-end product integration.
- Translate business and research needs into scalable software solutions.
- Balance speed of delivery with long-term maintainability and scalability.
- Support leadership in communicating technical vision to investors, partners, and stakeholders.
Requirements
- 7+ years of software development experience, with at least 3 in a leadership role.
- Proven expertise in web application development (frontend + backend).
- Hands-on experience with machine learning workflows and/or data-heavy systems.
- Strong understanding of cloud infrastructure and DevOps practices.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional hardware or science-focused teams.
- Exceptional communication and leadership skills.
Nice-to-Have
- Prior experience in startups or multi-disciplinary product environments.
- Familiarity with MLOps and embedded systems integration.
- Background or interest in scientific/biological domains.
Our Tech Stack (Current & Planned)
- Frontend: React, TypeScript
- Backend: Node.js, Python, REST & GraphQL APIs
- Cloud & Infra: AWS (ECS, S3, Lambda), Docker, Cloudformation, Pulumi, CI/CD with GitHub Actions
- ML/AI: PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn, MLflow for experiment tracking, Zenml for ML pipelines
- Data: PostgreSQL, DynamoDB, data pipelines with Zenml
We are open to evolving the stack and expect you to influence technical decisions as we scale.
Head of Software Development employer: ZELP LTD
Contact Detail:
ZELP LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Software Development
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to software development and machine learning. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its tech stack. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight how you can contribute to their vision of sustainable agriculture.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our mission at ZELP.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Software Development
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Software Development role. Highlight your experience in software architecture, leadership, and any relevant tech stacks you've worked with. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at ZELP!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for sustainable agriculture and how your background can help us tackle methane emissions. Let’s see your personality and enthusiasm come through!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: As a leader, we want to know how you build and mentor teams. Include examples of how you've fostered collaboration and innovation in your previous roles. We’re all about creating a high-performance culture!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission at ZELP!
How to prepare for a job interview at ZELP LTD
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Familiarise yourself with ZELP's tech stack, especially React, Node.js, and AWS. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these technologies and how you can contribute to their development and integration.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of your past leadership roles, focusing on how you've built and mentored teams. Highlight specific instances where you drove innovation or improved workflows, as this will resonate well with their emphasis on team culture.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Research ZELP's mission and the impact of their technology on agriculture and methane emissions. Be prepared to discuss how your role as Head of Software Development can contribute to their sustainability goals and overall vision.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since the role involves cross-functional collaboration, think of examples where you've successfully worked with hardware or science teams. Emphasise your communication skills and how you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
