Lead Software Engineer: Hands-On Tech Leader with Equity

Understanding Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Free daily meals

Significant technical ownership

Hands-on leadership role

Job summary

Understanding Recruitment is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in the UK to own a key product area, shape the architecture and keep hands-on development.

You will lead technical direction, design mission-critical software, mentor engineers, influence product decisions and maintain secure, scalable systems while remaining actively involved in code reviews.

Qualifications

• Lead technical direction and architecture for a core product area.
• Design and build mission-critical software with focus on quality.
• Mentor engineers and raise engineering standards across teams.
• Influence product and technical decisions while staying hands-on.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical direction and architecture of a core product area.
• Design and build mission-critical software.
• Mentor engineers and raise engineering standards.
• Influence product and technical decisions while remaining hands-on.
• Ensure secure, reliable and scalable systems; participate in code reviews.

Skills

C++

Java

Rust

Python

TypeScript

Production software

Architecture

Leadership/mentoring

AI development tools

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

Embedded systems

Security

Job description

Want to lead technically while staying hands-on?

We’re looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take ownership of a key product area, helping shape the architecture and technical direction while continuing to build and ship complex software.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading the technical direction and architecture of a core product area
• Designing and building mission-critical software
• Mentoring engineers and raising engineering standards
• Influencing product and technical decisions
• Staying hands-on with development and code reviews
• Building secure, reliable and scalable systems

What we’re looking for

• Strong experience with C++, Java, Rust, Python and/or TypeScript
• Experience building complex production software
• Strong architecture and system design skills
• Experience leading or mentoring engineers
• Interest in modern AI development tools
• Kubernetes, PostgreSQL, embedded systems, ML or security experience is a bonus

What’s on offer

• Competitive salary + equity
• Free daily meals
• Significant technical ownership
• A leadership role where you can remain genuinely hands-on

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