Head of Engineering

Believ: ABOUT US

At Believ, formerly known as Liberty Charge, we believe sustainable transport should be accessible to everyone. We’re a Charge Point Operator (CPO) on a mission to create the UK’s most reliable electric vehicle charging network that doesn’t cost the earth and leaves no one behind.

We work closely with local authorities and businesses to deliver reliable, high quality charging networks at pace, at scale and at zero cost.

We offer all the advantages of being a scale-up business, but with the added security and long-term backing from well-known parents - Liberty Global (who also own our delivery partner, Virgin Media O2) and Zouk Capital (who manage the Government’s Charging Investment Infrastructure Fund).

You’ll be joining this exciting journey at the start of our scale-up phase, and work with us to hit the ambitious targets our shareholders have set. You’ll become part of a passionate and supportive team in a fast-paced, dynamic and result-driven environment.

About the role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Engineering to lead and grow our newly formed technology team as we seek to move from a predominantly SaaS model to an in-house, fully owned and managed ecosystem.

Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), this role will be instrumental in shaping our technology strategy, building a talented engineering team, and driving the successful development and delivery of cutting-edge internal and external-facing solutions and applications.

With a focus on user centric development and design you will be expected to collaborate closely with the CTO, Head of UX/UI and wider business to ensure that we are developing and implementing initiatives and innovations that put our customers first whilst also ensuring continuity of service and operations.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the hiring, onboarding, and management of a high-performing engineering team, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment focused on innovation, excellence, and continuous learning.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive technology roadmap, outlining key initiatives, milestones, and deliverables to support the strategic goals of the organization.
• Work closely with the CTO and cross-functional stakeholders to define project requirements, scope, and priorities, and translate them into actionable development plans.
• Collaborate with the Head of UX/UI to ensure that our technology initiatives are aligned with user needs, preferences, and expectations, and that we are delivering tangible benefits and value to our end users.
• Oversee the architecture, design, and implementation of a suite of internal and externally facing applications, including mobile apps, web portals, and backend systems, to enhance the EV charging experience for our customers and streamline internal operations.
• Collaborate with third-party specialist software companies to evaluate, integrate, and customize software solutions, with the ultimate goal of bringing key technology capabilities in-house and ensuring scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
• Drive the adoption of best practices, development methodologies, and quality standards across the engineering team, including Agile/Scrum principles, test-driven development (TDD), and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members, empowering them to excel in their roles, contribute to the success of the technology team, and achieve their professional growth objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability within the technology team and across the organization, promoting transparency, open communication, and cross-functional alignment.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices, and assess their potential impact on our technology strategy and roadmap.

About you

At Believ, we are building a culture that attracts and retains the best talent. We are a dedicated and high-performing team, accustomed to working at pace in an ever-evolving industry, and we are looking for people who are as passionate as us about cutting carbon emissions and providing cleaner air for all. The successful candidate will have the following attributes and skills:

Knowledge & Experience:

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in software engineering, with a strong track record of designing, developing, and deploying web and mobile applications.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks, such as JavaScript (Node.js, React.js), Python (Django), and/or Java/Kotlin for mobile app development.
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, including services such as EC2, S3, Lambda, and API Gateway, with the ability to architect, deploy, and manage scalable and resilient cloud-based applications.
• Demonstrated expertise in integrating third-party APIs, websockets, and other technologies to build robust and interactive applications, ensuring seamless communication and data exchange between systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with the ability to analyze complex technical requirements, identify optimal solutions, and implement them effectively.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work closely with cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, product managers, and stakeholders, to understand user needs and deliver value-driven solutions.
• Experience working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities, navigate ambiguity, and drive results.

Additional Knowledge and Skills (Desirable):

• Familiarity with electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and industry standards such as OCPP, OCPI, ISO15118, CCS, CHAdeMO, AC Level 2, etc.
• Experience with data analytics, machine learning, or artificial intelligence technologies, with the ability to leverage data-driven insights to enhance user experiences and optimize business operations.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and principles, with the ability to implement robust security measures to protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
• Proficiency in additional programming languages or frameworks beyond the core requirements, such as Go, Ruby on Rails, or Swift for iOS development.
• Experience with containerization technologies, such as Docker and Kubernetes, for deploying and managing containerized applications in production environments.
• Understanding of DevOps principles and practices, including infrastructure as code (IaC), configuration management, and automated deployment pipelines.
• Familiarity with geolocation services and mapping APIs, with the ability to integrate location-based features into web and mobile applications.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements, accessibility standards and data privacy regulations such as EAA, GDPR, DPA.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a regulated industry, such as energy, transportation, or utilities, with an understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture focused on innovation, excellence, and continuous learning.
• Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices, with a focus on scalability, performance, and security.
• Experience driving technology initiatives, defining technical architecture, and executing technology roadmaps in alignment with business objectives.
• Proficient in Agile/Scrum methodologies, with the ability to facilitate sprint planning, retrospectives, and other Agile ceremonies to drive productivity and collaboration.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into clear and actionable insights.
• Passion for sustainability, clean energy, and environmental stewardship, with a desire to make a positive impact through technology innovation.

Benefits

• Competitive basic salary
• 33 days annual leave, including 8 Bank Holiday days
• Access to wellbeing and mental health benefits such as the Calm app, personal medical insurance, critical illness cover and dental insurance
• Pension contribution
• Access to our car benefit scheme
• Access to our online learning platform to continue to develop and grow your career with us.

Location

The business is currently based in our offices in Southwark. The position is full time and office based.

Believ  is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our people. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.