Engineering Lead (Contract)
Python | TypeScript | React | AWS | PostgreSQL
£600 per day Outside IR35 OR £700 per day Inside IR35 (all-in)
We're supporting a fast-growing tech business as they scale their engineering function and are looking for an experienced Engineering Lead to join on a contract basis.
This is a hands-on leadership role within a modern product engineering environment, ideal for someone who thrives in a startup or scale-up setting and enjoys balancing architecture, delivery, and team enablement.
The Role
Lead one of the engineering squads (4–6 engineers)
70% hands-on in the code - This is not a pure management role
Contribute heavily to backend and full-stack development
Make architectural decisions across a modern cloud-native stack
Perform code reviews and uphold engineering best practices
Partner closely with Product and Design (shared PM + Designer model)
Report directly into the Director of Engineering
Drive delivery while improving engineering standards and velocity
Tech Stack
Python
TypeScript
React
AWS
PostgreSQL (relational databases)
Experience across the full stack is highly desirable.
What We're Looking For
Strong background as a senior/lead engineer in high-growth environments
Previous experience as an Engineering Lead or hands-on Engineering Manager
Comfortable making architectural decisions in a fast-moving product team
Strong experience building scalable backend systems (Python preferred)
Solid understanding of cloud infrastructure (AWS)
Confident reviewing code and mentoring engineers
Experience working within cross-functional squads
This would suit someone who enjoys being close to the code while shaping technical direction and enabling a high-performing team.