Technical Lead - Ruby

Runtime Group Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Runtime Group Ltd is looking for a Senior Technical Lead (Ruby on Rails) to transform the automotive space with cutting-edge technology. This role offers a unique chance to step into a VP of Engineering position within a year. You'll lead engineering teams, ensuring delivery of scalable and maintainable systems while integrating AI tools for enhanced customer journeys.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in full-stack architecture and a proven track record in mentoring teams. This is a fast-paced environment where innovation drives significant commercial impact.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in architecting, developing, and scaling full-stack web platforms.
• Experience in guiding cross-disciplinary engineering teams for high-velocity delivery.
• Hands-on technical leadership with mentoring and code review experience.

Responsibilities

• Provides hands-on technical leadership to engineering teams of 5-15.
• Owns and ensures scalable and maintainable system architecture.
• Partners closely with Product and Design teams on technical plans.
• Drives engineering excellence through best practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Ruby & Ruby on Rails

Node.js & React exposure

API Design

Testing & Quality

Security and performance tuning

AI & LLMs integration

Job description

A Senior Technical Lead (Ruby on Rails) is required to join one of our clients, who are transforming the automotive space. This role provide an opportunity for an experienced Technical Lead join a fast-paced environment, using the latest tech in Ruby on Rails and AI tools (LLMs), and to step into a VP of Engineering position in a year from now.

You will have deep expertise in architecting, developing, and scaling full-stack web platforms, particularly within the Ruby on Rails ecosystem. Experienced in guiding cross-disciplinary engineering teams and embedding modern engineering practices that enable reliable, high-velocity delivery. Adept at introducing and operationalising emerging technologies, including LLMs and AI-driven tooling, to create meaningful product and commercial impact.

If you have experience being a hands on Technical lead, working closely with team sizes from 5-15 (onshore / offshore) and bringing offshoring inhouse, this could be an exciting opportunity for you.

Key requirements:

• Ruby & Ruby on Rails
• Node.js & React exposure beneficial
• API Design: REST, GraphQL, external integrations
• Testing & Quality: RSpec, Capybara, TDD methodologies
• Security, performance tuning, and system hardening
• AI & LLMs: API integration, prompt engineering, AI-enhanced features and developer tooling

Responsibilities:

• Provides hands‑on technical leadership to engineering teams (5–15 people), including mentoring, code review, and architectural direction.
• Owns end‑to‑end system architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable, and delivered at pace.
• Partners closely with Product, Design, and Commercial teams to convert business objectives into robust technical plans.
• Drives engineering excellence through best practices, continuous improvement, and sustainable delivery processes.
• Led the build‑out and ongoing evolution of high‑traffic Ruby on Rails platforms supporting significant commercial throughput.
• Modernised legacy systems while ensuring uninterrupted business operations.
• Introduced AI‑powered enhancements to improve customer journeys and internal operational efficiency.
• Collaborated with stakeholders across pricing, quoting, and customer lifecycle domains to deliver impactful product improvements.