Lead Engineer

Sadler Recruitment Ltd; Cardiff; Remote; GBP 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking an experienced engineer to take ownership of a cloud architecture for a SaaS product. This role blends hands-on engineering with architectural leadership, requiring strong skills in AWS, Node.js, and system design. The ideal candidate will redesign core AWS infrastructure and work remotely with occasional visits to the Cardiff office. Competitive annual salary of £85,000 offered.

Benefits

Remote-first culture

Exposure to technical challenges

Opportunity to define AWS architecture

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and maintaining AWS-based architectures.
• A background in a modern programming language such as Node.js, C#, or Java.
• Sound knowledge of SQL and experience with NoSQL and data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Re-architect and improve an established AWS environment.
• Design and implement distributed systems, APIs, and data pipelines.
• Work hands-on with infrastructure-as-code and application development.

Skills

Data Processing

CI/CD

Agile

Scalability

AWS

Software Development

Architecture

TypeScript

Security

Tools

AWS

Node.js

React

Job description

Location: Remote-first (Cardiff office twice a month)

Salary: £85,000 per annum

Overview

Were recruiting for an experienced engineer to take ownership of a cloud architecture that underpins a growing SaaS product used by thousands of customers.

This role combines hands‑on engineering with architectural leadership. Youll guide technical direction, redesign core AWS infrastructure, and ensure systems are secure, scalable, and well-governed.

The position is not a management role in the traditional sense. The focus is on technical leadership through design decisions, problem-solving, and hands‑on contribution.

Key Responsibilities

• Re-architect and improve an established AWS environment, addressing scalability, security, and governance.
• Design and implement distributed systems, APIs, and data pipelines focused on reliability and maintainability.
• Work hands‑on with infrastructure‑as‑code and application development (~50% hands‑on).
• Evaluate technical approaches and run proofs of concept to inform architecture decisions.
• Support and mentor engineers within the team, encouraging sound engineering practices.
• Define and evolve architectural standards and contribute to the roadmap for the wider technology function.

Experience Required

• Proven experience designing and maintaining AWS-based architectures (networking, IAM, security, automation, and monitoring).
• A background in a modern programming language such as Node.js, C#, or Java (the current stack uses Serverless, Node.js, and React).
• Sound knowledge of SQL and experience with NoSQL and data pipelines.
• Understanding of distributed systems, serverless computing, and modern cloud‑native patterns.
• Ability to think through complex technical challenges and communicate design choices clearly.
• AWS qualifications are distinctly advantageous.

Preferred Background

This role may suit someone currently working as:

• AWS Solutions Architect
• Senior Software Engineer
• Senior Data Engineer with strong AWS skills
• Technical Lead in a SaaS or product‑focused environment

Why Join

• Opportunity to influence and define how AWS architecture evolves.
• Work across a modern, serverless‑first technology stack.
• Exposure to a range of technical challenges at scale.
• Remote‑first culture with occasional on‑site collaboration in Cardiff.
• Stable environment focused on improvement, not firefighting.

Hours: Monday-Friday, full-time

Environment: Remote-first, collaborative, technically mature

Required Skills:

• Data Processing
• CI/CD
• Balance
• Oversight
• Agile
• Scalability
• Ownership
• Salary
• AWS
• Decision-Making
• Product Development
• Agile Methodologies
• Software Development
• Architecture
• TypeScript
• Strategy
• Security
• Software Testing
• Design
• Engineering
• Business Leadership
• Training