Lead Software Engineer

Role : Lead Software Engineer (I)Reporting To : Chief Technology OfficerSalary : £95,000 - £110,000 dependent on experienceWorking Location : Hybrid/ London (2 days a week on site at our Old Street office)🏢 About SearchlandSearchland is a high-growth, B2B prop-tech company transforming how businesses and individuals access and leverage property data. Our platform empowers property developers, land agents, architects, and planners with real-time insights, helping them make smarter, data-driven decisions when acquiring and developing land.In just five years, we’ve built one of the UK’s most advanced property data pipelines, integrating thousands of data sources and processing terabytes of information with less than 24-hour latency. Our cutting-edge platform is shaping the future of property intelligence.💻 About The RoleWe're looking for a Lead Engineer who wants to spend the majority of their time in the codebase - building, shipping, and solving hard problems in a complex, data-heavy product. This isn't a people management role. You won't be running a team or sitting in planning meetings all day. You'll be a senior individual contributor who takes real ownership of technical problems end-to-end, from schema design to production, and who cares deeply about the quality of what ships.🎯 What You’ll DoTechnical Leadership & ArchitectureWrite high-quality, production-ready code across the full stack - this is where the majority of your time goesBuild performant, accessible features using Next.js, tRPC, React + Tailwind Own PostgreSQL schema design, migrations, and query performanceWork alongside our data team on Elasticsearch-driven search and filtering architecturesTake complex features from discovery through to deployment and monitoring - you own the whole journeyPartner closely with product and design to shape features with strong technical inputTranslate technical constraints and opportunities into clear language for non-technical teammatesSupport more junior engineers through code review and pairing where needed - but this is not a people management roleOwn delivery of complex projects from discovery through deployment and monitoringThis role is for someone who wants to build. You'll have real influence over technical direction, but deep individual contribution is the job. If you're looking to step back from the codebase into team leadership or architectural oversight, this isn't the right fit.🎯 Essential ExperienceRight to work in the UK - we cannot offer sponsorship for this role 7+ years in software engineering, with at least 2–3 years operating at a lead, staff, or senior-plus levelDemonstrable experience building and scaling SaaS products — ideally in a small, fast-moving teamStrong hands-on experience with our stack or close equivalents:Frontend: React, TailwindBackend: Next.js, Node.js, tRPCDatabases: PostgreSQL, ElasticsearchComfortable owning complex technical problems end-to-end, without needing a large team around youA genuine preference for doing over directing — you're most energised when you're solving hard problems in code Nice to HaveExperience building AI agents within SaaS platformsInterview ProcessStage 1: 20 minute introductory call with HR TeamStage 2: Take home technical test and submissionStage 3 : Live coding session building on take home test with one of our Lead EngineersStage 4 : In person technical test with our Chief Technology Officer🌟 Why Join Us? Flexibility: Hybrid working with two days in our Old Street office Wellbeing & balance: 25 days holiday + bank holidays, your birthday off, Christmas office shutdown, and a HealthShield employee cash plan. Growth & development: Learn across onboarding, customer engagement, and project work, with mentoring and clear opportunities to progress in SaaS. Tools & support: A MacBook and contribution to a home office setup, and £500 per year personal growth fund. Great culture: Free lunches and team socials (bake-offs, 3 Peaks challenge, staycations, holidays abroad when targets are hit).🌍 Our Commitment to InclusionWe are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know – we are happy to support you.