At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor engineering teams to deliver high-quality software.
- Company: Join Zinc, a forward-thinking tech company in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days holiday, early finish Fridays, and a £1200 benefits allowance.
- Other info: Work remotely for 30 days a year and enjoy company retreats abroad.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data ownership while fostering a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in managing software engineers in a SaaS environment.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 £ per year.
We are looking for a people-first Engineering Manager to lead two of our core product engineering squads. Our platform is at a critical inflection point: we are evolving from a fast-growth startup into a mature, scaled engineering organisation. You will lead a group of eight senior and mid-level engineers. This is not a hands‑on coding role; instead, your “code” is the team itself. You will focus on building a high‑trust environment, refining our delivery engine, and ensuring our engineers have the clarity and support they need to ship high‑quality, compliant software.
Key Responsibilities
- People Leadership & Growth
- Coach & Mentor: Manage 1:1s, career progression frameworks, and performance reviews for 8 engineers.
- Hiring & Onboarding: Own the talent pipeline for your squads, ensuring we hire for both high skill and high cultural add.
- Performance Management: Set a high bar for excellence. You’ll celebrate wins and directly address underperformance with clear, actionable feedback.
- Delivery & Process Evolution
- Scaling Maturity: Lead the transition from “scrappy” startup workflows to structured, predictable delivery patterns without introducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Operational Excellence: Partner with Product Managers to improve sprint predictability, throughput, and the “Definition of Done.”
- Cross-functional Alignment: Act as the bridge between your squads and the wider business, ensuring stakeholders have visibility into progress and risks.
- Technical Stewardship
- Architecture Review: While you won't be writing PRs, you will facilitate technical discovery and review architectural proposals to ensure they align with our long‑term goals for scalability and security.
- Quality Standards: Foster a culture of “Security by Design,” ensuring our background checking platform maintains the highest standards of data privacy and auditability.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- An Experienced Leader: You have a proven track record of managing 5+ software engineers in a SaaS environment (ideally B2B).
- A “Systems Thinker”: You don’t just fix a bug; you fix the process that allowed the bug to happen. You have experience evolving engineering cultures as they scale.
- Technical Foundation: You have a strong background in modern full-stack development (ideally within the TypeScript/Node/Vue ecosystem) which allows you to challenge technical decisions and mentor senior talent.
- High Integrity: You understand the responsibility of building a platform that handles sensitive PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and value reliability over “moving fast and breaking things.”
- Empathetic but Direct: You care deeply about your team’s well‑being but are comfortable having difficult conversations when necessary.
What we offer
- Zinc offers a chance to work on a product that brings a fresh perspective on data ownership in hiring.
- 24 days holiday + Bank Holidays + your birthday off.
- £1200 annual benefits allowance (ThanksBen, from month 2).
- Early finish Fridays (16:00).
- Yearly company retreat abroad.
- 30 days to Work from anywhere.
- Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave (2 months full pay, then statutory).
- Statutory pension with NEST (3% employer, 5% employee).
- Zinc shares, issued through the EMI Scheme.
- Unlimited access to MoreHappi coaching + Spill.
- Company socials, quarterly team socials.
- Free Monday lunches.
- Nursery workplace benefit scheme (Yellownest).
- Option to lease an electric car through Electric Car Scheme.
- Celebrated Zinc anniversaries.
Engineering Manager employer: Zinc Work Limited
Zinc is an exceptional employer that prioritises a people-first approach, fostering a high-trust environment where engineers can thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers generous benefits such as 24 days of holiday, early finish Fridays, and a £1200 annual benefits allowance, alongside unique opportunities like working from anywhere for 30 days and a yearly retreat abroad. This vibrant work culture, combined with a commitment to professional development and well-being, makes Zinc an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in London.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to leadership and team dynamics. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using platforms that offer interview prep to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people-first approach! During interviews, share examples of how you've supported your team’s growth and fostered a high-trust environment. This aligns perfectly with what Zinc is looking for in an Engineering Manager.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our awesome team at Zinc.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to manage teams and deliver results.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our people-first approach. Share your vision for team growth and how you plan to foster a high-trust environment within your squads.
Showcase Your Technical Background:Even though this isn't a hands-on coding role, we want to see your technical foundation. Mention your experience with full-stack development and how it informs your decision-making as a leader.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zinc Work Limited
✨Know Your Leadership Style
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's people-first approach. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've coached and mentored engineers in the past, as well as how you handle performance management.
✨Understand the Product and Culture
Research the company’s product and its evolution from a startup to a mature organisation. Familiarise yourself with their engineering culture and be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to refining their delivery engine while maintaining a high-trust environment.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Even though this isn't a hands-on coding role, having a solid understanding of modern full-stack development, especially within the TypeScript/Node/Vue ecosystem, is crucial. Be ready to discuss architectural proposals and how you would ensure they align with long-term goals for scalability and security.
✨Show Empathy and Directness
Demonstrate your ability to balance empathy with directness during the interview. Share examples of how you've navigated difficult conversations with team members while still prioritising their well-being. This will show that you can lead with integrity and care.
