Software Engineering Lead

QQFS (Qualitative & Quantitative Fieldwork Services); Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital healthcare company based in the UK is seeking an experienced Software Engineering Lead to guide a talented engineering team. This role emphasizes both technical leadership and hands-on contribution. The ideal candidate must be proficient in Agile methodologies, Node.js, and AWS, with strong communication skills. Benefits include 25 days annual leave, a bonus scheme, and a gym membership discount.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Participation in bonus scheme

Group Life Cover 4x salary

Pension contribution

Vitality after probation

Staff discount scheme

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or managing software development teams in an Agile environment.
• Strong technical background in Node.js/TypeScript and experience across other stacks such as PHP and C#.
• Hands-on experience building and maintaining systems in AWS or other Cloud hosting providers.

Responsibilities

• Own team leadership and delivery outcomes.
• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of developers and one QA engineer.
• Collaborate with DevOps and QA to ensure robust CI/CD, testing, and deployment pipelines.

Skills

Leadership in Agile environment

Node.js/TypeScript

AWS

React/Vue/Angular

Software architecture

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Tools

Terraform

CI/CD frameworks

Job description

Company Description

About the business division:

This role sits within Doctors.net.uk, a subsidiary of M3 Inc. Doctors.net.uk is the UK's largest professional network of doctors; a closed community used by over 50,000 doctors daily and with a total membership of over 265,000. Products range from a trusted email communications platform to robust news and educational web pages along with our world‑class sponsored pharmaceutical content and doctors’ own user‑generated content. Our mission is to continually improve these offerings as well as identifying new ways to support our community of doctors throughout their career.

Job Description

We're looking for an experienced Software Engineering Lead to guide and develop our talented engineering team working on the Doctors.net.uk platform. You'll balance technical leadership, team development, and hands‑on contribution - leading by example to ensure consistent, high‑quality software delivery.

You’ll be the primary technical contact for the Product team — a trusted partner who can contribute to shaping product direction, challenge assumptions constructively, and ensure technical feasibility is considered early in the process. The ideal candidate has led teams before, is highly organized and methodical, and remains a passionate technologist who enjoys coding and solving complex problems.

Key Responsibilities

• Own team leadership and delivery outcomes – build and maintain a motivated, high‑performing engineering team that consistently delivers high‑quality software.
• Line manage the team, setting objectives, conducting regular one‑to‑ones, and leading annual performance appraisals.
• Lead, coach, and mentor a team of six developers and one QA engineer, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Partner with Product Managers to shape and refine requirements, provide technical insight and effort estimates, and challenge assumptions constructively to ensure business goals are achieved in the most effective way.
• Plan and oversee technical delivery, ensuring quality, security, and scalability across the Doctors.net.uk platform.
• Balance strategic and hands‑on work – around 70% team/process optimisation and 30% active coding and technical contribution.
• Champion engineering best practices, consistent processes, and continuous improvement without compromising quality.
• Drive continuous improvement – evolve team processes, tooling, and systems to improve quality, speed, and developer experience.
• Participate in and contribute to architectural decisions and longer‑term technical roadmaps.
• Support developers in troubleshooting, code reviews, and knowledge sharing to raise overall technical capability.
• Collaborate with DevOps and QA to ensure robust CI/CD, testing, and deployment pipelines.
• Promote a culture of accountability, inclusivity, and transparency within the team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading or managing software development teams in an Agile environment.
• Strong technical background in Node.js/TypeScript and experience across other stacks such as PHP and C#.
• Hands‑on experience building and maintaining systems in AWS or other Cloud hosting providers (ECS, Lambda, API Gateway, S3, etc.).
• Experience designing, developing, and supporting web applications using modern front‑end frameworks (React, Vue, or Angular).
• Deep understanding of software architecture, scalability, and security best practices.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Passionate about building well‑engineered systems and improving development processes.
• Comfortable remaining hands‑on when needed, including involvement in coding, reviews, and automation improvements.

Desirable

• Experience with ReactJS component libraries and CI/CD frameworks.
• Familiarity with IaC tools such as Terraform or CDK.
• Experience working with .NET systems and/or data pipelines.
• Exposure to building AI‑driven tools or leveraging machine‑learning APIs.

Additional Information

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave
• Participation in a company bonus scheme linked to personal and company performance
• Group Life Cover 4x salary
• Pension 4%/4% employee/employer contributions
• Vitality after probation
• Staff discount scheme
• Discounted gym membership

About M3 EU

M3 EU is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, offering digital solutions across healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and more. Since our inception in 2000, we’ve seen remarkable growth, fuelled by our mission to utilize the internet for a healthier world and more efficient healthcare systems.

Our success is anchored in our trusted digital platforms that engage physician communities globally, facilitating impactful medical education, precise job placement, and insightful market research. M3 EU prides itself on a dynamic and innovative work environment where every team member contributes to global health advancements.

Joining M3 EU means being part of a dedicated team striving to make a significant difference in healthcare. We provide a unique opportunity for you to be at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation, shaping the future in a meaningful career. Embrace the chance to drive change with M3 EU.

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