About the Role
<p><b>Software Team Lead</b></p>
<p><b>Salary Range</b>: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Hybrid, based in Bristol</p>
<p>Join our client, Smartbox, as a <b>Software Team Lead</b>!</p>
<p>Are you a passionate Software Team Lead looking to make a real impact by giving a voice to those without speech? Smartbox is looking for a dedicated individual like you to join their team and contribute to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.</p>
<p><b>Your Impact</b></p>
<p>As our client’s Software Team Lead, you will:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leading and mentoring a team of Software Engineers and QA Specialists.</li>
<li>Actively leverage modern AI-assisted development tools (e.g. Claude Code or similar) to improve individual and team productivity, code quality, and learning, and support the team in adopting these tools effectively and responsibly.</li>
<li>Foster a strong focus on delivering meaningful user outcomes, ensuring that technical decisions are grounded in a deep understanding of the product domain and real user needs.</li>
<li>Encourage and enable the team to use product insight, user feedback, and data to inform design and engineering decisions, balancing speed of delivery with long-term value.</li>
<li>Working with product and technical leadership to build a combined roadmap that balances product and engineering priorities.</li>
<li>Working on anything from UI to core functionality and data stores, from fixing bugs to integrating new technologies.</li>
<li>Joint responsibility for designing and implementing a scalable and high-performance software architecture using appropriate architectural standards and best practices.</li>
<li>Writing clean, working, cross-platform C# code (.NET 8) and associated tests, and improving the standard of existing code as you touch it to make it more testable, reliable and maintainable.</li>
<li>Working closely with Electronics Engineers, Product Specialists, UX Designers and other Developers to design, develop and support robust solutions.</li>
<li>Collaborating with stakeholders and customers to build an understanding which helps to solve problems in a way that meets their needs.</li>
<li>Assisting the Head of Software Development in recruitment activities.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Essential Qualifications / Skills / Experience:</b></p>
<ul>
<li>Passionate about changing lives with assistive technology.</li>
<li>Experience leading effective agile software teams, including first-hand experience of lean and iterative development.</li>
<li>Good understanding of Agile / Scrum methodologies and their use in software teams.</li>
<li>5+ years of professional software development experience in modern C# or similar (e.g. Java, C++).</li>
<li>Experience using AI-assisted software development tools (e.g. Claude Code or similar) to improve development efficiency, code quality, or team effectiveness.</li>
<li>Demonstrated ability to apply strong product and domain understanding to guide technical decisions and prioritisation.</li>
<li>Track record of delivering measurable user or business outcomes, not just technical outputs.</li>
<li>Knowledge of Computer Science fundamentals in data structures, algorithm design, problem-solving, and complexity analysis.</li>
<li>Knowledge of professional software engineering best practices, including coding standards, architecture patterns, code reviews, source control, continuous integration, build processes, testing, and operations.</li>
<li>Highly confident and experienced with automated testing – from unit tests to system and integration tests.</li>
<li>Proven experience in people or team management, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop others.</li>
<li>Skilled in providing constructive feedback, conducting performance reviews, and supporting staff development.</li>
<li>Proven ability to foster high performing, engaged, and collaborative teams.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>About Smartbox</b></p>
<p>At Smartbox, they are proud to be at the forefront of assistive communication technology. Their innovative products are used globally by individuals with diverse needs. Their values – passionate, caring, empowering, achieving together, and enabling change – resonate in everything they do.</p>
<p><b>Our Client’s Inclusive Culture</b></p>
<p>They believe in giving everyone a voice. Joining Smartbox means joining a diverse team that values collaboration and supports a community that relies on their technology for effective communication.</p>
<p><b>Our Client’s Commitment to Sustainability</b></p>
<p>At Smartbox, they not only innovate but also prioritise sustainability. They aim to minimise their carbon footprint and promote a greener world through sustainable solutions. By joining them, you'll contribute to shaping a more inclusive society while actively supporting their sustainability efforts.</p>
<p><b>Our Client’s D&I Commitments</b></p>
<p>At Smartbox, they prioritise diversity and inclusivity in their work environment. Here's how they do it:</p>
<ul>
<li>Recognised as a Disability Confident Employer by the UK Government and Founding Partner of Purple Tuesday.</li>
<li>Their recruitment practices are inclusive and barrier-free, with adjustments available during the application process and throughout your career with them.</li>
<li>They believe in adding to their culture, not just fitting in. Their diverse team combines unique talents to create products that reflect the diversity of their users and customers.</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Rewards and Benefits</b></p>
<p>Discover a world of rewards and benefits tailored to your wellbeing at Smartbox. Beyond a competitive salary and private medical insurance, explore perks like a hybrid working model, wellness benefits, and paid volunteering days.</p>
<p><b>Ready to Make a Difference?</b></p>
<p>Join Smartbox and embark on a fulfilling career where your work truly matters. Apply now and be a part of a team dedicated to creating technology that changes lives.</p>