Software Engineer Lead

Advancing People; West End; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing SaaS company in the UK is seeking a Software Engineer Lead to drive engineering efforts and integrate AI solutions. This permanent, full-time role offers the chance to build and lead a team, with responsibilities focused on hands-on coding and architecture. Candidates should have over 4 years of experience and a strong background in Python and Azure. Attractive salary range is between £50,000 and £60,000, plus equity. Apply now to shape the future of a dynamic team.

Benefits

Equity in the business

Remote work flexibility

Dynamic startup environment

Qualifications

• 4+ years of software engineering experience.
• Experience in a startup environment (Seed-Series B).
• Hands-on ability in architecting, coding, and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering delivery for a growing AI-driven SaaS product.
• Spend 80% of time on architecture, code reviews, and shipping features.
• Implement effective engineering practices to speed up processes.

Skills

Azure

Python

MongoDB Atlas

Leadership

AI Integration

Tools

Kubernetes

CI/CD

Job description

Are you an experienced software engineer, familiar with Azure, Python and Mongo/ Atlas?

Are you looking for a rare and exciting permanent software engineer lead role with a rapidly expanding SaaS business who are offering equity and the opportunity to build your own team?

Our client is looking for an experienced software engineer who is looking for the next step in their career or has experience of building or leading a software engineering team.

Whilst the role is remote working, the client is initially looking for someone to be based within a commutable distance of London (1 hour).

This is a great hands‑on coding role where you will be leading and challenging, whilst integrating LLM/ AI into a B2B workflow solution.

Build, Code, and Lead in a High‑Velocity AI Startup

Location: UK, greater London area (Hybrid, 1-2 days/week in‑person)
Role Type: Permanent, Full-time
Reporting to: Founder & CEO
Team Trajectory: Scaling from 2 to 8 engineers in the next 18 months
Stage: Early‑Stage B2B SaaS

Our client is looking for a code‑first leader to take ownership of engineering delivery for a growing AI‑driven SaaS product. This is a career‑defining "step‑up" opportunity for a Senior or Lead Engineer who is ready to be a Head of Engineering.

They do not need an enterprise manager, they need a builder who wants to lead, setting the technical tempo, and shipping value fast.

You will have full autonomy to shape the engineering culture, keeping it lightweight, modern, and void of unnecessary ceremony. You will not be inheriting a massive legacy team or bureaucratic processes.

Instead, you will take the reins of a lean, existing unit (1 Engineer + 1 Contractor) and lead the build‑out of the engineering function over the next 18 months. You will define the culture, set the standards, and hire the squad that will take us from early traction to Scale‑Up.

What You Will Do

• Lead & Code: In the early days, you are a player‑coach. You will spend 80% of your time on architecture, code reviews, and shipping features, and 20% on strategy and management. As the team grows, this ratio will adopt.
• Define the rhythm: Establish a high‑velocity shipping cadence. They value iteration over perfection.
• Pragmatic Architecture: Make technical choices that balance speed today with scalability tomorrow. Avoid over‑engineering.
• Strategic Partner: Serve as the technical right hand to the Founder/CEO and product. You will translate business vision into technical reality, ensuring they ship fast without breaking the product.
• Pragmatic Modernization: Implement lightweight, effective engineering practices (CI/CD, Code Reviews, QA) that speed us up, not slow them down.
• AI Integration: Lead the engineering side of integrating AI/LLM components into a robust SaaS architecture.
• Build the Engine: Grow the team from its current size to 8 engineers by the end of 2026. You will drive the hiring strategy, spotting talent that fits a high‑velocity startup.

The Tech Stack (Modern & Simple)

• Core: Python and/or TypeScript.
• Infrastructure: Azure (Functions, Containers), Kubernetes (managed simply for deployment, not complexity).
• Data: MongoDB Atlas.
• AI: Integration of LLM/AI components into a B2B workflow. (beneficial)

The Person

• Experience: You will have 4+ years of software engineering experience.
• Startup DNA: You will have ideally spent at least 1 full year inside a true startup (Seed‑Series B). Understanding that "process" should serve the code, not the other way around. You know how to operate with limited resources and tight deadlines.
• Technical Authority: You can confidently architect, code, and debug. This is a hands‑on role - not a people‑management‑only position.
• Leadership Potential: You have ideally mentored engineers or led a small squad (2‑6 people) and are ready to take full ownership of a function.
• Technically Versatile: You understand modern cloud‑native development and can navigate the ambiguity of integrating AI features without needing to be a Data Scientist.
• Transparent: You communicate bad news early and good news often. You don't hide behind technical debt.

Our client is offering a basic salary of £50,000 - £60,000 (possible more) depending on experience plus equity of the business.

If you are looking to join a forward‑thinking and rapidly expanding SaaS company then APPLY NOW in complete confidence or contact Dominic Quirke at Advancing People directly.

Advancing People - The Recruitment Specialist
Advancing People Ltd is an Equal Opportunities Employer and acts as both an Employment Business and Employment Agency