As our next Director of Engineering, you’ll be the architect of our delivery engine. This isn't about sitting in the code all day; it's about shaping how engineering actually happens in an AI-first world. You’ll lead the systems, the people, and the workflows that allow us to ship world-class software at a pace that leaves the competition behind.
Forget long lists, here’s what you’ll actually spend your time on:
Defining the AI-enabled SDLC: Moving beyond simple "copilots" to integrate agentic workflows, automated reviews, and AI-driven incident response into our daily DNA.
Orchestrating the machine: Evolving our "Golden Paths," developer platforms, and CI/CD patterns so that "how work moves" from idea to production is a competitive advantage.
Leading through leaders: Mentoring 3–5 Engineering Managers to build high-accountability teams that ship frequently, with fewer surprises and higher quality.
Setting the technical agenda: Making the high-stakes calls on architecture, reliability, and security across a significant slice of our estate.
Driving high-intensity execution: Removing obstacles with pace and ensuring our ambitious roadmap becomes a reality through clarity and technical judgment.
It’s not about ticking every box. It’s about turning up curious, ready to crack on. You’ll do well here if you bring:
Deep technical credibility: You can hold your own with staff engineers on distributed systems, security risks, and performance bottlenecks.
An AI-forward mindset: You have a strong POV on how agentic patterns and human-in-the-loop design transform engineering throughput.
Systems thinking: You focus on the system of work standardising where it helps and granting autonomy where it matters.
Proven leadership at scale: You’ve successfully led multiple teams through managers and know how to build a strong leadership bench.
A hunger for pace: You thrive in high-intensity environments where expectations are high, and the "typical" corporate speed isn't enough.
We believe great work deserves great rewards. Here’s just a taste:
Competitive salary + annual bonus
Employee Share Program
Health, well-being and learning support
Gym membership, Smart Tech Scheme and Cycle Scheme
Birthday/Special day leave
Buy & sell holiday scheme
1 week’s paid charity leave and much more!
How we’ll get to know each other:
Screening call with one of our Talent Acquisition Partners
1st stage interview with our Chief Technology Officer
2nd Stage interview with our VP, R&D Operations
3rd Stage interview with our Director of Engineering
Please note that some of the above stakeholders may change due to availability
If this sounds like the place where you can do your best work, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t tick every box
Want to join our Talent Community and be one of the first to know about our vacancies? Register your interest on our Registration Form
About us
We’re Checkatrade – the UK’s leading platform for finding a tradesperson. With more than 50,000 trades listed and over 6 million reviews, we help homeowners get jobs done right and help tradespeople grow their business.
We’re growing fast, with big plans to become the go-to brand for home improvements. If you care about great work, take pride in the details, and want to make an impact, you’ll fit right in.
Skills Required
- Deep technical credibility in distributed systems, security risks, and performance bottlenecks.
- Experience defining or operating AI-enabled SDLCs, including agentic workflows and copilots.
- Proven leadership at scale: mentoring and leading multiple Engineering Managers (managing via managers).
- Experience evolving developer platforms, Golden Paths, and CI/CD patterns to improve delivery throughput.
- Ability to make architecture, reliability, and security decisions across broad technical estates.
- Track record of driving high-intensity execution and removing obstacles to meet ambitious roadmaps.
- Strong systems thinking and human-in-the-loop design perspective for engineering workflows.
What We Do
Checkatrade is one of the UK’s top online marketplaces for home improvements and repairs. Our mission is to be the trusted foundation of every home by connecting people with trades and tools to make home improvements easy – because we believe safe and happy homes improve lives, support livelihoods, and build communities. From our humble beginnings in 1998 to becoming a national household name, we’re on an exciting journey. For more than 25 years Checkatrade has stood for reputation and raising standards – whether that is for our trade members, consumers, or our colleagues. We think big and are passionate about changing the face of home improvements and repairs. Today, we are a modern online marketplace and a force for good. We strive every day to support people to improve their homes and we don’t settle for the status quo – we are evolving, innovating, and growing. With generous investment from private equity partners Brookfield, we have an ambitious growth plan and a robust roadmap to get there. Led by our values – Be All In, Always Customer Obsessed, Get It Done, Be Bold, and Do The Right Thing – we are 500 high-performing individuals working across the UK, with high-spec offices in London and Portsmouth. We are here to be the best and inspire others to do the same, and to get there we need exceptionally talented, bright, and driven people – so if that sounds like you, you couldn’t join at a better time!
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