Head of Software Engineering

Oliver Bernard; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Oliver Bernard in Central London is partnering with a fast-growing B2B SaaS company to hire a Head of Software Engineering. You will lead a 30+ engineering team, embedding AI-driven ways of working and shaping how software is built with AI at the core.

You’ll work closely with the founders and product leadership, mentoring engineers, reviewing code, and driving delivery. This role offers real autonomy, scope to raise standards, and a path to influence engineering culture across the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multiple engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development.
• Strong technical background in software engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a multi-team engineering function.
• Embed AI-assisted ways of working across the team.
• Stay technical: contribute to internal tooling and code reviews.
• Build the team through hiring, coaching and clear career progression.
• Collaborate with Product and leadership on roadmap and delivery.

Skills

Leadership

AI tooling

Code review

Python

TypeScript

Tools

Claude Code

Cursor

Codex

Job description

Head of Software Engineering | AI-First Engineering

Location: Central London, 3 days pw

Oliver Bernard are working with a profitable, well-funded B2B SaaS company. They're hiring a Head of SoftwareEngineering to lead its engineering team as it makes AI central to how software gets built.

The opportunity

You’ll lead an engineering team of 30+, reporting directly into the founding leadership team. The company already has real momentum with AI-assisted development. Your remit is to turn that into an engineering culture where AI is part of how every team works day to day.

This is a role with real autonomy and influence. You’ll shape how the team builds software, and you’ll have the founders’ backing to do it.

What you’ll do

• Lead and grow a multi-team engineering function through a group of experienced tech leads
• Embed AI-assisted ways of working across the whole team, and show the impact on delivery
• Stay technical: contribute to internal tooling, review code and set the engineering bar
• Build the team through hiring, coaching and clear career progression
• Work closely with Product and the leadership team on roadmap and delivery

What you’ll bring

• Experience leading multiple engineering teams, including managing team leads or managers
• Hands-on, daily use of AI coding tools such as Claude Code, Cursor or Codex
• A strong technical background, with production experience in Python and TypeScript
• A track record of building high-performing teams and raising standards
• A pragmatic, business-focused approach to engineering leadership