Lead Software Engineer

Big Red Recruitment; Metropolitan Borough of Solihull; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Company pension

24 days annual leave

Own projects time (10% of working time

Job summary

Big Red Recruitment is seeking a Lead Backend Engineer on behalf of Solihull-based technology firm to own and evolve the backend platform. You’ll lead a small engineering team, shape architecture, and drive best practices while remaining hands-on with C++.

You’ll design APIs, optimize performance, mentor engineers, and collaborate with Product, Architecture, Frontend and QA. Hybrid work 2–3 days onsite, with strong focus on scalable, secure backend services and AI-enabled tooling.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading backend engineers in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of C++ STL and modern C++ standards.
• Experience designing scalable backend architectures and APIs.
• Experience with databases and AI/ML-powered solutions is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of scalable backend systems.
• Taking technical ownership of backend projects from planning through to delivery.
• Designing, developing and maintaining APIs and backend services.
• Driving improvements across performance, scalability, reliability and observability.
• Identifying bottlenecks and optimising database queries and system performance.
• Evaluating and implementing AI-powered tools and solutions.
• Working closely with Product, Architecture, Frontend and QA teams.
• Leading and mentoring backend engineers, promoting strong coding standards and engineering best practice.
• Supporting sprint planning, technical decision-making and continuous improvement.

Skills

C++

Backend architecture

Leadership

API design

Databases

Tools

Git

Docker

Job description

Location: Solihull – Hybrid (2-3 days per week onsite)

Are you an experienced C++ Engineer ready to take technical ownership and lead a backend engineering team?

We're working with an established technology business developing sophisticated access control, security and workforce management solutions. They're expanding their R&D function and looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to help shape their backend platform, drive engineering standards and explore how modern AI technologies can enhance both their products and development processes.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll remain close to the technology while mentoring engineers and influencing architecture, delivery and technical direction.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the development and evolution of scalable backend systems
• Taking technical ownership of backend projects from planning through to delivery
• Designing, developing and maintaining APIs and backend services
• Driving improvements across performance, scalability, reliability and observability
• Identifying bottlenecks and optimising database queries and system performance
• Evaluating and implementing AI-powered tools and solutions
• Working closely with Product, Architecture, Frontend and QA teams
• Leading and mentoring backend engineers, promoting strong coding standards and engineering best practice
• Supporting sprint planning, technical decision-making and continuous improvement

What we’re looking for

You'll be an experienced Backend or Lead Software Engineer with strong technical depth and the confidence to provide leadership within an engineering team.

Key experience includes:

• Excellent knowledge of the C++ Standard Library, STL containers and algorithms
• Experience leading, mentoring or technically guiding software engineers
• Strong understanding of backend architecture, APIs and scalable systems
• Knowledge of database systems
• Experience developing, integrating or deploying AI/ML-powered solutions
• Exposure to LLMs, AI-assisted development tools and modern AI frameworks

What's on offer

Alongside the salary, you'll receive flexible working hours, a company pension, 24 days' annual leave with increases based on service, and 10% of your working time dedicated to your own projects and ideas.

The role operates on a hybrid basis, with 2-3 days per week in the Solihull office.

If you're a strong C++ backend engineer looking for a role that combines hands-on development, technical leadership and the opportunity to work with emerging AI technologies, we'd be keen to hear from you.