Job Specifications
Work on exciting public sector projects and make a positive difference in people's lives. At Zaizi, we thrive on solving complex challenges through creative thinking and the latest tools and tech.
As Head of Engineering,AI, you'll play a key role in leading the engineering function within the AI Capability team, focusing on establishing technical standards, overseeing recruitment and professional development, aligning technology with organisational needs, and representing the profession at a senior level. Key responsibilities include developing our generative AI and full-stack development, with a deep understanding of cloud technologies, including AWS, Docker, and Git, and expertise in UI/UX development. You will be instrumental in establishing the technical strategy, ensuring the overall quality, scalability, and maintainability of our client solutions, and leading the integration of complex, multi-component systems. This role demands expert technical advice to senior management, influencing key business decisions, and identifying and adopting emerging technologies to create strategic business advantage. Zaizi fosters an inclusive, modern, friendly, and innovative culture, thriving on solving complex challenges through creative thinking and the latest tools and technology
Our work culture is inclusive, modern, friendly, and democratic. We look for bright, positive-thinking individuals with a can-do attitude. Our people enjoy challenging themselves to be the best at what they do - if that sounds like you, you'll fit right in!
Role Objectives
These are the expected objectives for this role. We are happy to discuss this further during the interview process with the successful candidate.
Provide Strategic Engineering Leadership: Define and lead the engineering strategy in alignment with business objectives, government policy, and public sector digital standards. This includes compliance with the GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice, and NCSC Secure by Design principles
Emerging Technology Monitoring: Establishes and manages the process for identifying, evaluating, and adopting emerging technologies, particularly within the generative AI domain, to create strategic business advantage
Systems Integration: Takes full responsibility for the overall technical design and integration strategy across complex, multi-component systems (e.g., AWS, Docker, Git). Ensures technical coherence and a smooth transition to operational use
Lead and Support Inclusive, High-Performing Teams: Build, support, and inspire multidisciplinary engineering teams across a range of projects. Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture that values quality, delivery, innovation, and user-centred outcomes. Promote equity, psychological safety, and continuous improvement for all team members
Ensure Technical Excellence and Reliable Delivery: Oversee the design, development, and implementation of secure, scalable, and maintainable digital services. Promote best practices in Agile, DevOps, CI/CD, cloud-native architectures, and secure software development, while ensuring work is understandable, accessible, and inclusive by design
Collaborate with Clients and Stakeholders: Serve as a senior technical advisor to a diverse range of stakeholders, including central government departments and public sector organisations. Translate a wide range of user needs into practical and sustainable technical solutions, ensuring delivery meets shared goals
Promote Compliance, Accessibility, and Security: Ensure engineering outputs meet legal, regulatory, and ethical standards, including accessibility (e.g. WCAG 2.2), cyber security (e.g. Cyber Essentials Plus), and data protection. Embed accessibility and inclusion as core elements of technical design and delivery
Drive Innovation and Set Technical Standards: Lead the development of technical standards, governance, and design patterns that promote sustainable, inclusive engineering. Stay informed on emerging technologies and methods to enhance delivery and resilience in public sector systems
Support Ethical Business Growth: Work with delivery and commercial colleagues to shape inclusive, responsible, and technically sound proposals. Contribute to bids and frameworks, and help define clear, fair statements of work
Promote Knowledge Sharing and Inclusive Capability Building: Promote opportunities for mentoring, peer learning, and cross-team collaboration. Help individuals grow their skills and confidence, and promote knowledge sharing internally and with client teams. Encourage continuous learning across all backgrounds and experience levels.
Requirements
Proven experience in a senior engineering or leadership role (e.g., Head of Engineering, Principal Engineer, or Engineering Director) within an agile environment. Must have a track record of defining and implementing technical strategies that align with business goals and public sector standards
Significant experience identifying, evaluating,