Head of software engineering job description.

What does a head of software engineering do?

 

The head of software engineering leads engineering teams, ensuring technical delivery, quality, and collaboration align with business goals. They manage hiring, set coding standards, oversee architecture, and ensure on-time delivery across multiple teams or projects.

 

Key responsibilities include mentoring engineers, defining technical strategy, coordinating with product and leadership teams, and guiding decisions around tooling, scalability, and performance.

 

In scale-ups, they may build teams and processes from the ground up. In larger organisations, the focus is on people leadership, long-term platform evolution, and aligning engineering with company strategy.

 

Key responsibilities of a head of software engineering.

 

The head of software engineering typically leads the development function and ensures code quality, delivery velocity, and team performance. Their responsibilities include:

• Managing and mentoring software engineers and technical leads

• Defining development processes, code standards, and review protocols

• Overseeing technical architecture and long-term platform evolution

• Working with product and design to align engineering priorities with roadmaps

• Leading hiring, performance management, and team growth

• Setting goals for delivery timelines, quality benchmarks, and system reliability

• Evaluating tools, platforms, and infrastructure needs

• Supporting DevOps, QA, and cross-functional collaboration

• Leading engineering ceremonies, including retrospectives and planning

• Reporting on delivery velocity, technical risk, and progress to leadership

This role blends technical leadership with team development and delivery oversight.

 

Skills and requirements for a head of software engineering.

 

Heads of software engineering lead technical teams and guide platform development. Employers typically look for:

• 8–12 years of experience in software engineering and team leadership

• Proven experience scaling engineering teams and processes

• Deep understanding of system architecture and software design patterns

• Ability to align technical delivery with product and business goals

• Confidence in managing people, performance, and engineering culture

• Experience with budgeting, hiring, and resource planning

• Skilled in leading code reviews, tooling selection, and QA standards

• Familiarity with Agile, DevOps, and cross-functional collaboration

• Strong communication skills for working with stakeholders and leadership

Most heads of engineering report to the CTO or VP of engineering, scaling delivery, mentoring talent, and maintaining engineering excellence.

 

Average salary for a head of software engineering.

 

In the UK, the average salary for a head of software engineering typically ranges from £90,000 to £140,000, based on team leadership, tech stack oversight, and delivery scale.

• Mid-level heads tend to earn between £90,000 and £115,000

• Senior heads managing large teams or critical platform infrastructure can earn between £116,000 and £140,000

• Bonuses and share options are often available in high-growth tech companies and funded startups

Salaries peak in enterprise organisations, SaaS leaders, and product-led scale-ups.

 

Career progression for a head of software engineering.

 

A head of software engineering leads the development team, driving standards, strategy, and delivery. This senior role is a direct route into CTO or VP of engineering positions. A typical career path:

 

Software engineer

 

Delivers code and collaborates with product and QA teams.

 

Senior software engineer

 

Owns complex systems and contributes to technical strategy.

 

Technical lead

 

Manages a team of engineers and ensures best practice and project delivery.

 

Head of software engineering

 

Leads multiple teams. Oversees architecture, roadmap delivery, and scaling strategies.

 

Chief technology officer (CTO)

 

Defines the tech vision, manages the wider engineering organisation, and aligns development with business growth.