Lead Backend Engineer - C++

Lead Backend Engineer - C++ Location: Solihull - Hybrid (2-3 days per week onsite)Salary: £65,000-£70,000 Are you an experienced C++ Engineer ready to take technical ownership and lead a backend engineering team? We're working with an established technology business developing sophisticated access control, security and workforce management solutions. They're expanding their R&D function and looking for a Lead Backend Engineer to help shape their backend platform, drive engineering standards and explore how modern AI technologies can enhance both their products and development processes. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll remain close to the technology while mentoring engineers and influencing architecture, delivery and technical direction.What you'll be doing\n

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• Leading the development and evolution of scalable backend systems
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• Taking technical ownership of backend projects from planning through to delivery
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• Designing, developing and maintaining APIs and backend services
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• Driving improvements across performance, scalability, reliability and observability
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• Identifying bottlenecks and optimising database queries and system performance
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• Evaluating and implementing AI-powered tools and solutions
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• Working closely with Product, Architecture, Frontend and QA teams
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• Leading and mentoring backend engineers, promoting strong coding standards and engineering best practice
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• Supporting sprint planning, technical decision-making and continuous improvement
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What we're looking for You'll be an experienced Backend or Lead Software Engineer with strong technical depth and the confidence to provide leadership within an engineering team. Key experience includes:\n

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• Strong commercial C++ development experience
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• Excellent knowledge of the C++ Standard Library, STL containers and algorithms
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• Experience leading, mentoring or technically guiding software engineers
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• Strong understanding of backend architecture, APIs and scalable systems
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• Knowledge of database systems
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• Experience developing, integrating or deploying AI/ML-powered solutions
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• Exposure to LLMs, AI-assisted development tools and modern AI frameworks
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What's on offer Alongside the salary, you'll receive flexible working hours, a company pension, 24 days' annual leave with increases based on service, and 10% of your working time dedicated to your own projects and ideas. The role operates on a hybrid basis, with 2-3 days per week in the Solihull office. If you're a strong C++ backend engineer looking for a role that combines hands-on development, technical leadership and the opportunity to work with emerging AI technologies, we'd be keen to hear from you.