At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor engineering teams to deliver high-quality software.
- Company: Zinc, a forward-thinking tech company in London.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, remote work options, and wellness coaching.
- Other info: Enjoy early finishes, company retreats, and a vibrant culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data ownership while fostering team growth.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in SaaS with a strong technical background.
The predicted salary is between 95000 - 95000 ÂŁ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- ÂŁ1200 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 in London employer: Zinc
Contact Detail:
Zinc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for an Engineering Manager role. A personal recommendation can go a long way in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios you might face. Think about how you would lead a team, handle conflicts, or improve processes. We want you to shine when it’s your time to talk!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've coached and mentored engineers in the past. This will help potential employers see how you can build that high-trust environment they’re after.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at Zinc.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style: When writing your application, let us see your unique approach to leadership. Share examples of how you've coached and mentored teams in the past, and how you create a high-trust environment for your engineers.
Highlight Your Technical Background: Even though this isn't a hands-on coding role, we want to know about your technical foundation. Mention your experience with full-stack development, especially in the TypeScript/Node/Vue ecosystem, and how it helps you guide your team.
Emphasise Cultural Fit: We’re looking for someone who not only has the skills but also aligns with our values. Make sure to highlight how you hire for both skill and cultural fit, and share any experiences that showcase your understanding of building a strong team culture.
Be Clear and Concise: In your written application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts well. This will not only make it easier for us to read but also reflect your ability to communicate effectively with your team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zinc
✨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 Zinc's product and company culture thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with their mission around data ownership in hiring and think about how you can contribute to that vision. This will help you demonstrate your cultural fit during the interview.
✨Prepare for Process Evolution Questions
Expect questions about how you would transition a team from 'scrappy' startup workflows to more structured delivery patterns. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully implemented process improvements without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
✨Showcase Your Technical Foundation
While this isn't a hands-on coding role, having a strong technical foundation is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with full-stack development, particularly within the TypeScript/Node/Vue ecosystem, and how that knowledge helps you mentor your team effectively.