Lead Software Engineer

Understanding Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Free daily meals

Architectural ownership

Hands-on leadership

Job summary

Understanding Recruitment is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in the UK to take technical ownership of a key product area, shaping its architecture and engineering direction while remaining deeply involved in building and shipping complex software.

This hands-on leadership role requires solving difficult technical problems, influencing engineering decisions and helping others do their best work.

Qualifications

• Experienced software engineer with a track record of building complex production systems.
• Experience taking technical ownership and leading technically.
• Ability to mentor engineers and influence engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead technically and mentor other engineers to deliver high quality software.
• Take technical ownership of a key product area and shape its architecture and direction.
• Build and ship complex production software while remaining hands-on.

Skills

C++

Java

Rust

Python

TypeScript

System design

Software architecture

Mentoring

Tools

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

Embedded systems

Machine learning

Security

Job description

We’re looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take technical ownership of a key product area, shaping its architecture and engineering direction while remaining deeply involved in building and shipping complex software.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, influencing engineering decisions and helping other engineers do their best work.

What we’re looking for

You’ll be an experienced software engineer with a strong track record of building complex production systems and taking technical ownership.

We’re particularly interested in experience with:

• C++, Java, Rust, Python and/or TypeScript
• Software architecture and system design
• Building and operating complex production software
• Leading technically and mentoring other engineers
• Modern engineering practices and AI-assisted development tools
• Experience with Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, embedded systems, machine learning or security would be a bonus, but isn’t essential.

What’s on offer

• Competitive salary + equity
• Free daily meals
• Significant ownership over architecture and technical direction
• The opportunity to lead without moving away from engineering
• A role where you can remain genuinely hands-on

You’ll need the right to work in the UK and be eligible for UK Security Check (SC) clearance.