Lead Software Engineer

ISL Talent

West of England

Hybrid

GBP 70,000 - 85,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

A progressive tech startup is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to co-create their platform aimed at transforming tyre retail. The role involves architecting and developing a scalable product, collaborating closely with the founder. Ideal candidates are self-starters with experience in developing high-performing software platforms and a passion for user-first design. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £85k, with hybrid working arrangements.

Qualifications

Experience building a high performing software platform for a product driven startup.
Interest in AI-powered tools.
Self-starting mindset.

Responsibilities

Architecting and developing early product environment.
Collaborating on product strategy and decisions.
Gathering feedback from live trials.

Skills

Full stack or back-end development experience

AI and data-led features

Strong communication and collaboration habits

User-first UX principles

Critical thinking

Job description

ISL Talent City Of Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Lead Software Engineer

ISL Talent City Of Bristol, England, United Kingdom

1 week ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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The Startup Growth Person | Supporting Founders to Build Diverse Teams | Tech For Good Advocate

Lead Software Engineer
Maya, tech startup
Up to £85k salary + equity
Bristol, hybrid working

If the chance to transform a broken part of the global automotive industry through digitalisation excites you and you want to own that journey, not just join it, then this could be the place for you.

Maya

Maya is a tech startup reinventing tyre retail from the inside out, starting with dealerships. This platform is changing how the world manages, buys and relates with car tyres, starting with car dealerships. The mission is to make tyre retail the fastest, most informed, and most convenient customer journey, anywhere in the world.

Already in live trials with a progressive UK dealer group and in active planning with other markets and Vehicle Manufacturers, this is incredible timing to join a startup like this one. You’ll work side-by-side with a founder who knows the industry, brings real clients, and has a sharp commercial focus. To take the next step, it’s time to bring development in house; which is where you come in.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to co-create the platform from the ground up, shaping the code, the product, and the future of the company alongside the founder. So far, the platform has been outsourced to a brilliant development agency who will continue to support you as you take ownership, but the future of the technical strategy is largely down to you.

As it stands the stack includes a TypeScript serverless backend built on AWS Lambda, using Cognito for authentication and RDS for data storage, all orchestrated with the Serverless Framework. A Next.js frontend has been combined with static generation with server-side rendering, and Strapi CMS for content management.

The person with the right level of experience will be questioning the technical decisions that have been made so far and offer their solutions to building a scalable platform that is fit for purpose. The longer-term build stack is not set in stone and you will have creative freedom to build a stack with an architecture that works for Maya.

We’re not looking for a traditional employee. This is a role designed for someone who doesn’t need to be told what to do, and genuinely wants to build something meaningful and lasting. This is a perfect role for someone who is ready to commit to the long term, but who will also thrive in the energy and urgency of a venture that’s gaining momentum.

What You'll Be Doing

Architecting, developing and documenting Maya’s early product environment with clean, scalable code
Collaborating closely with the founder on product strategy, problem-solving, and day-to-day decisions
Exploring smart ways to integrate AI and data-led features that improve confidence, speed, and trust throughout
Supporting live trials, gathering feedback, and iterating quickly and thoughtfully

What We're Looking For

You don’t need experience in tyres or automotive, that’s already covered. What matters is your ability to build, think critically, and care deeply about the things you create.

This role suits someone who thrives in the early stages where problems aren’t always defined, and solutions are shaped in real time. Ideally, you’ll bring:

Experience building a high performing software platform for a product driven startup
Full stack or back-end development experience, with a solid understanding of infrastructure and product thinking
Interest or experience in building tools powered by AI, LLMs, or real-time data
A passion for simple, user-first UX—particularly chat-style or advisor-facing tools
A self-starting mindset, with strong communication and collaboration habits
An appreciation for the balance between technical excellence and commercial pace

We’re not hiring in the traditional sense. We’re building something. If that excites you and you can articulate why you’re the right person to do that, we want to hear from you.

Seniority level

Seniority level
Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Employment type
Full-time

Job function

Industries
Software Development and Technology, Information and Media

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