Lead Engineer
About Exam Papers Plus
Exam Papers Plus is one of the UK's most trusted partners in high-stakes exam preparation, supporting over 100,000 families with structured, data-driven learning that adapts to individual profiles. We are in the middle of a significant transition: from a publishing company to a full EdTech product company. That shift is already underway, and this role sits right at the centre of it.
The Opportunity
This is a permanent, full-time leadership role for an engineer who wants to be genuinely part of something being built from the ground up. The person we are looking for will be embedded in the team, working closely with product, design, and existing engineers day to day, and will take real ownership of where the technical organisation goes over the next few years.
The role has three distinct areas of responsibility.
- New product - We are launching a new core learning platform this summer. It is already in active development, currently being built by an external development house. The Lead Engineer will take ownership of this project, transitioning it in-house and leading it through to launch and beyond. This is the primary focus of the role and the part that demands the most from whoever steps into it. We are looking for someone who is genuinely excited by the prospect of owning a greenfield product end to end, from the point of handover through to a live, scaling system.
- BAU and existing products - Alongside the new platform, Exam Papers Plus runs four established products, each on its own stack, all actively used by learners and families. These need consistent support and maintenance, and the Lead Engineer will work alongside the existing team to keep them stable and evolving.
- Building the team - As Exam Papers Plus grows into a fully-fledged EdTech company, the engineering team needs to grow with it. The Lead Engineer will play a central role in expanding the team: defining what good looks like, helping bring new engineers in, and building the culture and practices that will support delivery at scale, alongside our existing team. This includes mentorship of existing engineers, establishing AI-assisted development practices, and helping the organisation become less reliant on external partners over time.
What We Are Looking For
You have at least two to three years operating as a strong senior engineer, or four or more years of solid full-stack experience with clear readiness to step into a leadership position. You are comfortable across TypeScript, React, and Node.js, and you know how to use AI tools like Cursor and Claude to move faster without cutting corners. You have a track record of shipping quality work under real delivery pressure.
Beyond the technical skills, you take ownership. You do not wait to be told what to do next. You can articulate a technical decision clearly to a non-technical stakeholder, and you are as comfortable pairing with a junior engineer as you are making an architectural call. EdTech experience is a plus but not a requirement.
Location
This role is based in the UK and requires close proximity to our Farringdon office in London. We work a hybrid model, with up to three days a week in the office. The in-office time is not a formality: it exists so the Lead Engineer can work directly with the team, run interviews, onboard new hires, and be present during a critical period of growth. Candidates who are not able to commit to regular London office attendance will not be the right fit.
What We Offer
- Competitive
- Bonus: up to 10% of base salary
- Pension: 6% matched
- Location: UK-based, hybrid, up to 3 days per week in Farringdon, London