Engineering Manager - Pathogen Programme

Ellison Institute of Technology; Oxford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job description

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford tackles humanity’s greatest challenges by turning science and technology into impactful global solutions. Focused on areas like health, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate change, clean energy, and AI-driven government innovation, EIT Oxford blends groundbreaking research with practical applications to deliver lasting results.

A cornerstone of EIT Oxford’s mission is its upcoming 300,000-square-foot research facility at the Oxford Science Park, set to open in 2027. This cutting-edge campus will feature advanced labs, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and collaborative spaces to strengthen its partnership with the University of Oxford. It will also host the Ellison Scholars, driving innovation for societal benefit.

The Pathogen Mission highlights EIT’s transformative approach, using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Oracle’s cloud technology to create a global pathogen metagenomics system. This initiative aims to improve diagnostics, provide early epidemic warnings, and guide treatments by profiling antimicrobial resistance. The goal is to deliver certified diagnostic tools for widespread use in labs, hospitals, and public health.

EIT Oxford fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, valuing diverse expertise to drive sustainable solutions to humanity’s enduring challenges.

EIT is looking for an experienced and innovative Engineering Manager to lead and build a high-performing, cross-disciplinary product engineering team. This team is responsible for building and delivering exceptional products that integrate cutting-edge technology, user-centric design, and robust engineering practices. As an Engineering Manager, you will play a critical role in aligning cross-functional efforts, fostering collaboration, and driving the team toward successful product delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Management:

1. Lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of software engineers of varying skills across front and backend technologies.
2. Drive team performance through coaching, setting clear objectives, and ensuring accountability.
3. Foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.

Product Development & Delivery:

1. Collaborate with stakeholders to define roadmap and technical delivery.
2. Oversee the development lifecycle, ensuring on-time delivery of high-quality features and products.
3. Thrive in a fast-paced start-up/scale-up environment, managing shifting priorities and balancing immediate needs with long-term goals.
4. Manage trade-offs between scope, quality, and time, balancing team capacity with business priorities.
5. Lead and participate in sprint planning, retrospectives, and other Agile ceremonies to ensure clear objectives, effective collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

1. Act as a bridge between engineering, design, and product management teams to ensure alignment on goals and deliverables.
2. Communicate effectively with stakeholders to provide updates, resolve challenges, and gather requirements.

Technical Oversight:

1. Maintain technical oversight to ensure best practices in architecture, coding standards, and testing alongside the engineers.
2. Partner with Tech Leads to drive innovative solutions and resolve complex engineering challenges.
3. Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies to guide the team’s evolution.

Team Development & Recruitment:

1. Identify and fill talent gaps to build a balanced, multi-disciplinary team.
2. Create opportunities for growth by providing training, career development, and skill-building initiatives.
3. Advocate for an open and supportive work environment.

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

1. 5+ years of experience in software or product engineering, with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
2. Strong background in software development and systems design.
3. Demonstrated success in navigating the challenges of a start-up or scale-up environment, including managing rapid growth, shifting priorities, and evolving business needs.
4. Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams (e.g., engineering, design, and product).
5. Familiarity with agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and cloud-based architectures.
6. Excellent leadership, coaching, and interpersonal communication skills.
7. Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage conflict, and solve complex problems effectively.
8. Passion for creating inclusive, collaborative team environments.

We offer the following salary and benefits:

1. Salary: £85k - £105k + travel allowance + bonus
2. Enhanced holiday pay
3. Pension
4. Life Assurance
5. Income Protection
6. Private Medical Insurance
7. Hospital Cash Plan
8. Therapy Services
9. Perk Box
10. Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Terms of Appointment:

1. You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
2. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
3. During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.