Connect-AI
Lead Software Engineer
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Tech Lead – Python / AWS | Build an Engineering Team from the Ground Up
Bristol (3 days onsite) | Up to £100,000 + Stock Options | Permanent
A genuine player/coach opportunity for a hands-on engineer who wants to build more than software.
We're partnering with a growing Bristol-based B2B SaaS business combining behavioural science, data and technology to help consumer brands better understand and engage their audiences.
They're looking for a Tech Lead to take ownership of their engineering capability at a particularly exciting stage of growth.
This isn't a role where you'll inherit a large team, attend meetings all day and gradually move away from the code.
You'll help hire the first 2–3 developers, shape how the team operates, set technical standards and remain hands-on building the product alongside them.
If you've previously led a small engineering team, enjoy solving difficult technical problems and want genuine influence over both the product and the people building it, this could be a compelling next step.
What you'll own
Working closely with the CEO, Head of Engineering and wider product team, you'll take responsibility for both technical delivery and growing the engineering function.
You'll:
- Build the initial development team, defining the roles, shaping technical assessments, interviewing candidates and making hiring decisions.
- Establish engineering standards across architecture, code quality, testing, documentation and delivery.
- Remain hands-on developing Python applications, APIs and new SaaS functionality.
- Take ownership of Linux-based environments, AWS infrastructure, deployments and production reliability.
- Guide technical decisions across backend services, databases, data processing and frontend architecture.
- Mentor and onboard engineers, creating a collaborative and high-performing team.
- Work directly with the leadership team to turn product requirements into practical technical solutions.
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As the team grows, there's a clear opportunity for the position to develop into broader engineering leadership.
What we're looking for
We'd love to speak with engineers who have experience as a Tech Lead, Lead Software Engineer, Staff/Principal Engineer or hands-on Engineering Manager, particularly within smaller product teams.
The core requirements are:
- Strong commercial Python experience, ideally developing web applications and APIs with FastAPI, Django or Flask.
- Confident, hands-on Linux experience across development, deployment and production environments.
- Strong AWS knowledge, including services such as EC2, ECS, S3, DynamoDB, RDS or IAM.
- Experience with modern engineering practices, including Docker, CI/CD, testing and infrastructure ownership.
- Previous responsibility for leading a small development team while continuing to contribute technically.
- Direct involvement in recruiting developers — from defining requirements and interviewing through to selection and onboarding.
- Good understanding of SQL/NoSQL databases, APIs and data-processing workflows.
Experience with React, Vue, TypeScript, Terraform or data-intensive SaaS platforms would be advantageous.
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You don't need to have managed a large department. In fact, someone who has helped build a small engineering team and enjoys remaining close to the code could be particularly well suited.
Why this opportunity?
- Build your own team. You'll have meaningful input into who joins, how they're assessed and how the engineering function develops.
- Stay technical. This is a hands-on leadership position, not a move into full-time people management.
- Own the direction. You'll influence architecture, engineering practices and product delivery rather than simply executing someone else's roadmap.
- Work closely with the decision-makers. You'll have direct access to senior leadership and the opportunity to make an impact without unnecessary layers.
- Share in the growth. The package includes stock options alongside a competitive salary.
Package & working arrangement
- Salary: Up to £100,000
- Equity: Stock options
- Location: Bristol — 3 days per week onsite
- Employment: Permanent, full-time
- Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Development: Training and development support
Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available.
Interested?
If you're a hands-on Python engineer who's ready to shape a product, recruit a team and take genuine ownership of an engineering function, I'd love to hear from you.
Apply directly or message me for a confidential conversation.
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