Lead Software Engineer – Enable Ground Crew

easyJet; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Flexible benefits package

Staff travel discount

Job summary

easyJet is seeking a Tech Lead for Enable Ground Crew to shape architecture and lead a small, hands-on squad of engineers across backend, frontend, and cloud systems. You will define technical direction for scalable, cloud-native solutions that support ground crews in a high-stakes, regulated environment.

You will mentor engineers, drive delivery with strong CI/CD and testing discipline, and integrate AI-assisted tooling to improve speed and quality.

Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on software engineering experience.
• Experience leading a small squad while remaining hands-on.
• Proficient in backend, frontend, and cloud with CI/CD practices.
• Experience with AI-assisted development tools and responsible adoption.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and operate production software in a hands-on capacity.
• Lead the squad’s technical delivery: break down problems, align the team, and maintain momentum.
• Make squad-scoped technical decisions balancing speed, quality, maintainability, and sustainability.
• Set and uphold engineering standards through design, review, testing, and ownership.
• Strengthen practices including CI/CD, automated testing, observability, and reliable production operations.
• Integrate AI-assisted development tools into the squad’s workflow and collaboration with stakeholders.

Skills

Hands-on coding

Squad leadership

Full-stack development

CI/CD practices

Cloud infrastructure

Mentoring

AI-assisted tools

Regulated environments

Tools

Cursor

Claude Code

Codex

Job description

We are easyJet – a FTSE-250 listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours – we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

Ready to help us build the future of airport experiences?

Elevate the Frontline Airport Experience

Imagine shaping the technology that keeps 150+ airports moving safely and efficiently. As our new Tech Lead for Enable Ground Crew, you will do exactly that. You will own the technical strategy for critical, mission-critical systems.

This includes mobile-first tools, real-time communication feeds, and data ecosystems used daily by ground crews and frontline teams. If you love solving complex, high-stakes operational puzzles and mentoring talented engineers, this is your next destination.

Your Impact

Set the Technical Direction: Define the architecture for scalable, cloud-native, and mobile-first systems across a global airport network.

The position combines hands-on software engineering with practical squad leadership, focusing on technical delivery, code quality, and supporting a small team of engineers.

Key Points

• The Lead Software Engineer is primarily a senior technical contributor with light leadership responsibilities.
• The role involves significant hands-on coding (60%+), technical decision-making, and guiding a squad of 1–4 engineers.
• Collaboration with the Engineering Manager and Product Owner is essential to align technical delivery with business priorities.
• The position requires strong engineering fundamentals, experience with modern practices (CI/CD, automated testing, cloud), and mentoring skills.
• AI-assisted development tools are to be integrated into the squad’s workflow.
• Success is measured by predictable, high-quality software delivery, team support and clarity, sound technical decisions, and continuous improvement.

Role Summary

• Lead Software Engineer role, focused on both hands-on software engineering and squad leadership.
• Not a full people manager, but responsible for coaching and supporting 1–4 engineers.
• Works closely with the Engineering Manager (TBD) and Product Owner to ensure technical and business alignment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, test, and operate production software in a hands-on capacity.
• Lead the squad’s technical delivery: break down problems, align the team, and maintain momentum.
• Make squad-scoped technical decisions, balancing speed, quality, maintainability, and sustainability.
• Set and uphold engineering standards through design, code review, testing discipline, and operational ownership.
• Strengthen engineering practices, including CI/CD, automated testing, observability, and reliable production operations.
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and technical curiosity.
• Integrate AI-assisted development tools into the squad’s workflow.
• Collaborate with product, design, and other stakeholders to deliver practical solutions to business problems.

Key Skills

• Strong software engineering fundamentals with a proven track record in building, shipping, and operating production systems.
• Experience leading technical work within a small team while remaining hands-on.
• Full-stack experience across backend, frontend, and cloud, in multiple languages/frameworks.
• Familiarity with modern engineering practices: CI/CD, automated testing, cloud infrastructure, and production support.
• Experience mentoring, coaching, or supporting other engineers, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Initiative in using AI-assisted engineering tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, Codex), with a formed perspective on their use.
• Experience with production systems in regulated or operationally complex environments (airport or airline operations is a strong plus).

Success Criteria

• The squad delivers meaningful software predictably and to a high standard of engineering quality.
• Engineers in the squad feel supported, challenged, and clear on expectations.
• Technical decisions at the squad level are sound, pragmatic, and well communicated.
• The codebase and engineering practices improve over time, not degrade under delivery pressure.
• AI-assisted tools and Agentic SDLC are thoughtfully used to improve speed, quality, and effectiveness.

“Please note that this role does not meet the criteria for visa sponsorship, and we are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.”

What you’ll get in return:

At easyJet, we pride ourselves on a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that supports and rewards innovation and excellence.

We offer:

• 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and a flexible benefits package.
• Discounted staff travel scheme for friends and family
• Annual credit for discount on easyJet holidays
• ‘Work Away’ scheme, allowing you to work abroad for 30 days a year
• Electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme

Location & Hours of Work

We operate a hybrid working policy of 40%-60% of the month spent with colleagues.

Reasonable Adjustments:

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at [e-mail].

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation

We look forward to your application and the possibility of you flying high with our team!