Head of Engineering

Who you are

• Significant engineering leadership experience across complex digital services, ideally within UK Central Government or another regulated environment
• A strong software engineering background and sufficient technical depth to command the confidence of senior engineers, architects and client technical leaders
• Experience leading multiple engineering teams rather than only a single programme or product
• Strong understanding of modern cloud engineering, DevSecOps, CI/CD, security, architecture and operational practices
• Experience with GDS-style multidisciplinary delivery and an understanding of the Service Standard and Technology Code of Practice
• Strong understanding of security and privacy by design
• Evidence of developing engineering capability through coaching, mentoring, standards and communities of practice
• Strong consultancy skills and the ability to operate credibly with senior government stakeholders
• Commercial awareness, including experience shaping work, estimating delivery and contributing to bids or proposals
• The ability to balance technical quality, user outcomes, delivery constraints and commercial reality
• You do not need to be an AI researcher. We are looking for an engineering leader who understands how to turn emerging technology into production-grade services

What the job involves

• Own Arran’s engineering strategy, standards and technical assurance across client engagements. Champion secure, scalable and maintainable services using modern cloud, DevSecOps and software engineering practices
• Develop Arran’s practical capability to build and integrate AI into production government services
• Establish engineering approaches for technologies such as LLMs, RAG and agentic systems, ensuring solutions address security, privacy, responsible AI, operational resilience and government constraints
• Ensure engineering aligns with the GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice, NCSC Secure by Design and relevant accessibility and data protection requirements. Work with architects and client technical authorities to provide effective technical governance and assurance
• Act as Head of Profession for Engineering, building and developing high-performing engineers and technical leaders
• Identify future capability needs and create opportunities for people to develop practical AI and emerging technology experience through delivery, accelerators and learning
• Act as a trusted senior technical advisor to Central Government clients, translating complex problems into pragmatic technical approaches. Challenge assumptions, communicate trade-offs and represent Zaizi in senior client and technical governance discussions
• Shape technical propositions, solutions, teams and estimates for strategically important opportunities. Turn successful delivery into credible, reusable capabilities and propositions that strengthen Arran’s position in the government market
• Share accountability with the Club Executive and Heads of Product and Delivery for Arran’s overall performance. Help protect and grow clients, build capability through delivery and balance client outcomes, people, quality and commercial performance

Benefits

• 25 days paid holiday, plus bank holidays
• Vitality Health Insurance
• Workplace Pension
• Group Life Assurance
• £500 budget on learning and development
• Flexible working
• Team building away days
• Regular social activities
• Takeaway free lunches
• Free fruit and coffee in the office Cyclescheme