Head of Software Engineering

Squarcle Consulting; Bristol; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A digital supply chain consultancy in Bristol seeks a Head of Software Engineering to lead the engineering function, build a high-performing team, and innovate software solutions. This role offers the opportunity to shape company culture and directly impact technology development while working in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.

Benefits

Generous leave package

Private medical insurance

Annual training week abroad

Funding for qualifications

Pension contributions

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience leading cloud based SaaS development teams and delivering complex projects.
• Deep knowledge of modern software architectures, microservices, and cloud platforms.
• Comfortable with Agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Own engineering at Squarcle, shape the culture and define software building.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high performing software team.
• Explore the latest technologies to keep ahead of the competition.

Skills

Software engineering leadership

Technical expertise in cloud-based architectures

Agile and DevOps practices

Job description

Overview

Your part in our mission

Every ambitious idea at Squarcle relies on great engineering to bring it to life. As Head of Software Engineering, you’ll be the one shaping how we build. You’ll set the vision, scale the team, and make sure our systems are ready for the future.

This is your chance to create the heartbeat of our technology: leading with curiosity, raising the bar on technical excellence, and turning bold ideas into products that make a real difference.

Our structure

At Squarcle, we work in a matrix structure designed to support your growth and success. Each role has a Performance Manager to guide career development, an Engagement Manager to support day-to-day project work, and a Capability Lead to ensure best practice across tools, people, and processes.

This role leads our Software Development Capability, where you’ll work closely with Billy, one of our Procurement and Supply Chain Senior Managers and also the Product Owner for our Pulse digital platform and Kevin, who is our Head of Technology Services. Your Performance Manager will be confirmed once you start.

This is what you’ll be doing

As the Head of Software Engineering within our Digital capability you’ll be joining us as we build momentum. This means there’s room for people to shape how we grow, not just keep up with it. Some of your key day to day activities will include:

• Own engineering at Squarcle: take full ownership of how engineering is shaped, scaled, and set up for long-term success
• Build and nurture the team: lead, mentor, and grow a high performing software team, creating the right culture and structure to help them thrive
• Set the pace of innovation: explore the latest technologies and make the big calls on tools, platforms, and approaches that will keep us ahead
• Be at the heart of Squarcle’s future: although the role is mainly internally focused, you’ll also have opportunities to step into business development, shaping proposals and influencing client work
• Create impact beyond delivery: it’s not just about shipping code, but about designing an environment where people, ideas, and engineering excellence can flourish

What success looks like

We’ll continue develop and measure your success in the following areas

• Product outcomes: software is delivered on time, robust, scalable, and meets business needs.
• Engineering leadership: you set clear direction and standards, taking ownership of the engineering function and ensuring technical excellence across the team.
• Team performance and engagement: engineers are well supported, motivated, and performing at a high level, with a culture that fosters growth and achievement.

Where you’ll be stretched (and thrive)

• Own engineering at Squarcle: lead the team, shape the culture, and define how we build software
• Innovate with impact: explore AI and machine learning in Defence, and Supply Chain projects that set us apart
• Shape the future: experiment with new ideas, influence major technical decisions, and see your work make a real difference

We think you’ll love

• Make high stakes decisions: navigate complex trade offs and take responsibility for the outcomes of engineering initiatives
• Coordinate across teams and stakeholders: manage your team, partners, and peers while keeping multiple projects aligned and on track
• Carry significant responsibility: handle the pressure and accountability that comes with shaping engineering at Squarcle

The skills you’ll need to succeed in this role

• Proven software engineering leadership: experience leading cloud based SaaS development teams and delivering complex projects.
• Technical expertise: deep knowledge of modern software architectures, microservices, and cloud platforms (Azure experience is a plus).
• Agile and DevOps fluency: comfortable with Agile methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices to keep teams shipping efficiently.
• Strategic and hands-on: able to make big technical decisions while supporting and mentoring your team.

How we’ll assess your skills

Our interview process for this role will involve three steps:

• Step 1: Meet with our Recruitment Manager, Corina. She’ll introduce you to Squarcle, the role, and answer any questions you may have about us. We’ll be assessing some basic skills for the role and finding out more about your background.
• Step 2: Meet with our Product Owner, Billy and one of our Digital Managers, Karen. They’ll introduce you to Squarcle, the role, and answer any questions you may have about us. We’ll be assessing your skills for the role and finding out more about your background.
• Step 3: Meet with our Product Development Director, Jim and our Digital Transformation MD, Alex. They’ll be assessing your technical skills and answering any other questions you might have about the role.

What we offer

We believe great work deserves great rewards. Here’s what you can expect as part of the team:

• Generous leave package
  • 26 days of annual leave (including your birthday!) plus UK bank holidays — increasing to 27 days after three years, and 28 after seven years
  • You’ll also get five extra days for your five and 10 year anniversaries
  • Additional leave for members of the Reserve Forces and CFAV.
• Private medical insurance
  • Provided once you’ve completed your probation.
• Recognition and rewards
  • £1,000 referral bonus for successful hires
  • Performance related awards
  • Milestone and life event hampers to celebrate life’s big moments
• Development & learning
  • Annual training week abroad
  • Funding for qualifications that benefit both you and the business
• Travel & wellbeing
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounted travel through funded railcards
• Pension
  • Our pension provider is NOW Pensions, pension contributions are 3% employer and 5% employee

We review our benefits regularly to ensure they stay competitive and meaningful - so this list may evolve as we grow.

Our working hours are 8:30am – 5:30pm (with an hour for lunch), Monday – Friday.

About us

At Squarcle, our people are at the heart of what we do. We’re a digitally native supply chain consultancy, helping clients transform how they plan, buy, and operate. Squarcle is a fast-growing SME with offerings across enterprise design and change, supply chain and digital capabilities.

Transforming procurement and supply chains with expert insight, digital innovation and data driven precision, we combine deep supply chain expertise with cutting-edge digital tools and data science to deliver practical, lasting results. Whether it’s optimising end-to-end processes, redesigning supply chain networks, improving cost-to-serve, or shaping smarter S&OP strategies - we work side by side with clients to build supply chains that are efficient, resilient, and fit for the future.

Apply now and take the next step toward doing work that matters, with a team that’s shaping the future of supply chain consulting.

Important information: This role requires you to obtain a Security Check (SC) security clearance. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 6 months. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Nationality requirements: This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals; Nationals of the Republic of Ireland; UK nationals who hold dual citizenship (please make us aware during the recruitment process).

Privacy policy: Squarcle Consulting Ltd

We’re committed to creating a diverse environment. We embrace differences and hire based on merit, giving equal consideration to all applications, regardless of gender, background, and race.