Software Engineer Team Lead

Zurich 56 Company Ltd; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual company bonus

Pension scheme

Life cover

Job summary

Zurich Nova is hiring a Team Lead Software Engineer to deliver hands-on software while directing a small team. The role blends technical delivery with mentoring, shaping architectural decisions and promoting best practices.

Based in the UK, Bristol or Bath with three days in the office and flexible hours, the role supports innovation in AI, automation and modern cloud-enabled solutions within a major insurer’s tech arm.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in software engineering or development.
• Experience leading projects or small teams.
• Strong coding skills and production software delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a small team of software engineers.
• Design, build and maintain modern software solutions.
• Collaborate with product, business and technical stakeholders.
• Explore AI and emerging technologies to improve development.
• Coach team members and contribute to architectural decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes.

Skills

Leadership

Software engineering

AI/ML interest

Mentoring

Communication skills

Job description

Working hours

This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Salary

Attractive salary depending on experience plus an excellent benefits package

Location

Bristol or Bath, 3 days a week in the office with flexible hours

Closing date for applications

7th September 2026

Build the next Generation of AI-Powered Solutions

At Zurich Nova, we're combining the energy and innovation of a technology start-up with the scale and stability of one of the world's leading insurers.

Originally founded as an AI start-up and acquired by Zurich in 2023, Zurich Nova was created to accelerate innovation and transform the way technology is delivered across the business. We operate as a specialist technology team focused on solving real business challenges through software engineering, AI and automation.

We're looking for a Team Lead Software Engineer to help us build the next generation of products and solutions. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with around 3-5 years' experience who is ready to take the next step in their career, combining hands-on technical delivery with leadership and mentoring responsibilities.

You’ll join a collaborative team of engineers, AI specialists and product thinkers, working on innovative solutions that have genuine impact across Zurich.

The opportunity

This is a hands-on engineering role with leadership responsibilities.

You’ll spend much of your time designing, building and delivering software solutions, while also supporting and developing a small team of engineers. You’ll help shape technical approaches, encourage engineering best practice and create an environment where people can do their best work. You won’t be wedded to a articular stack and be comfortable working in the ambiguous.

You’ll have the freedom to experiment with emerging technologies and AI tools, while remaining focused on delivering practical solutions that solve real-world business problems.

This role would suit someone who enjoys building software, supporting others and influencing how engineering teams work, without moving away from the technical aspects they love.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing?

• Leading and supporting a small team of software engineers, helping them develop their skills and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Designing, building and maintaining modern software solutions.
• Working closely with product, business and technical stakeholders to understand requirements and turn ideas into working products.
• Exploring how AI and emerging technologies can improve software development and business processes.
• Coaching team members through technical challenges and supporting their professional growth.
• Contributing to architectural decisions and technical design discussions.
• Driving continuous improvement across engineering processes, tools and delivery approaches.
• Creating solutions that are scalable, maintainable and user-focused.
• Staying current with developments in software engineering, cloud technologies and AI.

What are we looking for?

We're looking for a capable software engineer who enjoys solving problems, building products and helping others succeed.

You may currently be a Technical Lead or Software Engineer looking for your first formal leadership role.

We’d love to hear from you if you have?

• Around 3-5 years' experience in software engineering or software development.
• Start-up, scale-up or innovation-focused teams.
• Experience leading projects, mentoring colleagues or managing small teams.
• Strong coding skills and experience delivering production software.
• A strong interest in AI, machine learning and emerging technologies.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts to different audiences.
• A collaborative approach and a desire to help others grow.
• A passion for building products that deliver real value to users.
• Generative AI or Large Language Models.
• Automation, workflow tools or low-code/no-code solutions.

The mindset that will help you succeed

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys building and creating.
• Leads through collaboration rather than hierarchy.
• Is curious about how things work and always looking for better ways of doing things.
• Balances technical excellence with commercial thinking.
• Is comfortable working in an environment where technology evolves quickly.
• Brings energy, positivity and a growth mindset.
• Wants to develop into a future engineering leader while remaining technically strong.

Why join Zurich Nova?

• Work on cutting-edge AI and software engineering challenges.
• Be part of a highly skilled, collaborative and ambitious team.
• Influence how AI is adopted within a major international organisation.
• Protected time for innovation, experimentation and learning.
• Real opportunities to develop leadership skills and grow your career.
• Start-up pace and autonomy with the backing of Zurich's global resources.
• Flexible working and a culture built on trust rather than presenteeism.

Our culture

We believe the best ideas emerge when talented people work together.

Our team values curiosity, experimentation, collaboration and continuous learning. We encourage people to challenge ideas, test new approaches and learn from failure.

Whether we're solving technical problems, exploring new AI models or spending time together outside of project work, we're committed to creating an environment where people can do their best work and enjoy doing it.

The financials

• 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme.
• Annual company bonus.
• Income Protection.
• Life cover - four times your salary.

Time away

• 28 days holiday a year plus bank holidays.
• You can also request to swap UK bank holidays for days off that have cultural or religious significance to you.
• The option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.
• Three days paid volunteering.
• Up to 16 weeks' full pay for maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

Your health is important to us

• Access to Private medical insurance.
• Virtual GP appointments.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Free flu jab.
• Access to a wealth of support from our wellbeing partners.

We're making a difference

• Creating a brighter, more sustainable future underpins all that we do here in Zurich. We were the first insurer to sign the 'UN Business Ambition for 1.5˚C' pledge.
• Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, has awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.