Software Engineer Team Lead

Zurich Insurance; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Autonomy

Learning time

Leadership growth

Global resources

Job summary

Zurich Nova, part of Zurich Insurance, is seeking a Team Lead Software Engineer to combine hands-on delivery with leadership. You’ll guide a small team of engineers, design and build modern software solutions, and shape technical direction while exploring AI tools and emergent tech.

Based in Bristol or Bath, the role supports flexible hours, part-time, job share or full-time, with three days in the office and opportunities to grow across a global insurer.

Qualifications

• Around 3–5 years' experience in software engineering or software development.
• Experience leading projects, mentoring colleagues or managing small teams.
• Strong coding skills and experience delivering production software.
• 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 the 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.
• Agile delivery environments.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

3-5 yrs exp

Leadership

AI interest

Communication

Agile

Generative AI

Low-code/no-code

Automation

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 the 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.
• Agile delivery environments.

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.