Lead Software Engineer

Ctrl Alt; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Private healthcare

26 days annual leave + birthday off

MacBook and equipment

Salary sacrifice schemes

Job summary

Ctrl Alt is building the backbone of global digital capital markets with on-chain infrastructure. We seek a Lead Software Engineer to own full-stack architecture in a fast-paced, scale-up environment, delivering production-ready systems handling billions in assets.

You will guide architectural decisions, mentor a world-class team, and partner with leadership to translate complex financial requirements into robust software offerings.

Qualifications

• Strong system design capabilities for scalable, mission-critical platforms.
• Experience building RESTful APIs and distributed systems with high concurrency.
• Proven ability to operate in an Agile, CI/CD-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architectural design and implementation of scalable, mission-critical systems.
• Own the evolution of core platform, ensuring performance and security for complex features.
• Engineer robust, secure APIs enabling global partners to integrate with on-chain infrastructure.
• Transform ambiguous requirements into rigorous, well-documented software solutions.
• Set engineering standards and foster rapid iteration without compromising integrity.
• Mentor and elevate an engineering team through peer reviews and shared ownership.

Skills

System design

RESTful APIs

Distributed systems

CI/CD

Agile

Communication

Mentoring

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

Job description

Ctrl Alt is designing and operating the on-chain infrastructure powering digital capital markets globally. We bring together a unique blend of expertise in financial markets and cutting-edge in-house technology to deliver tailored, compliant solutions in the alternative assets space. Since launching in 2022, we’ve tokenized assets across real estate, private credit, funds, litigation finance and more.

We’re building a high-performance, people-first culture where ambitious individuals can thrive. We move fast, think big and hold ourselves to a high bar, while keeping things collaborative, open and genuinely fun. At Ctrl Alt ideas win on merit, teams work closely with leadership, and everyone has a voice in shaping what we build next.

We believe that hard work should come with real reward. You won’t just join a company - you’ll help build one. Last year alone, we grew from 17 to 50 people, and this year we’re going faster and further. That means real responsibility, meaningful impact, and the opportunity to grow alongside a company that’s redefining the future of finance through the tokenization of alternative assets.

If you’re excited by scale-up energy, ownership, and the chance to help shape both a business and a culture, Ctrl Alt is where you can do the most rewarding work of your career.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a Lead Software Engineer to architect the backbone of global digital capital markets. At Ctrl Alt, you won't just write code; you will solve high-stakes architectural challenges in the tokenization space where precision and scalability are non-negotiable. This is an opportunity for a high-caliber engineer to take full-stack ownership in a high-velocity environment, translating complex financial logic into elegant, production-ready systems that move billions in assets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the architectural design and implementation of highly scalable, mission-critical systems that power tokenized asset lifecycles.
• Own the evolution of our core platform, ensuring high performance and security for complex features like cross-border asset voting and real-time portfolio management.
• Engineer robust, secure APIs that enable global institutional partners to integrate seamlessly with our on-chain infrastructure.
• Drive technical excellence by transforming ambiguous product requirements into rigorous, well-documented, and battle-tested software solutions.
• Set the technical standard for the engineering organization, fostering a culture of rapid iteration without compromising on system integrity.
• Mentor and elevate a world-class engineering team through rigorous peer reviews, strategic technical guidance, and shared ownership.

This role will be a great fit if you:

• Are a systems-thinker who prioritizes performance, security-first architecture, and long-term maintainability over quick fixes.
• Experience designing and deploying sophisticated RESTful APIs and distributed systems that handle high-concurrency workloads.
• Thrive in an Agile, CI/CD-driven environment where you advocate for and enforce elite engineering standards.
• Are a direct, effective communicator capable of distilling complex technical trade-offs for both engineering and leadership teams.
• Possess the relentless drive of a builder who wants to redefine the technical landscape of the financial industry.

How we support you:

• Competitive salaries with regular reviews that reflect your impact, performance, and progression.
• Generous stock options so you directly share in the company’s growth and long-term success.
• Premium private healthcare to support your physical wellbeing.
• 26 days of annual leave, plus your birthday off, and regional bank holidays - with flexible leave so you can take time off when you need it.
• An enhanced parental leave policy to support you and your family at every stage.
• A MacBook, screens, and any additional equipment you need to perform at a high level.
• Access to salary sacrifice schemes covering childcare, groceries, EV cars, tech, pensions, bikes, and subscriptions.
• Modern, centrally located offices in London, Belfast, Dundalk, and Dubai - designed for collaboration and focus.
• An annual learning and personal development budget for training, exams, certifications, and qualifications - whatever helps you move forward.

Interview Process:

• Stage 1: Initial Competency based interview