About The National College (TNC)
At TNC, we empower customer workforces to transform children’s lives through an all-in-one platform that helps schools, trusts, and nurseries stay compliant, raise standards, and reduce staff workload.
If educators need it, we build it.
We’ve created a unique platform combining the world’s largest CPD and policy library with custom-built tools, developed in collaboration with thousands of schools and over 1,000 education experts.
Job Description
Lead Fullstack Engineer – Own the technical direction and architecture of our cloud‑based SaaS platform as it scales. Work across front‑end and back‑end systems, leading delivery of new features and integrations while maintaining high standards of code quality, performance, and reliability. Mentor and grow a team of Ruby developers, establish best practices, and improve delivery processes. Collaborate closely with product and engineering stakeholders to solve complex problems and evolve the platform.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Deliver high-quality full‑stack development using Ruby, Rails, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, aligned with product and design requirements
- Lead and mentor engineers, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement
- Drive architectural decisions, selecting appropriate tools and frameworks to ensure scalability, security, and maintainability
- Collaborate closely with product and design to deliver high‑quality, accessible, and user‑focused experiences
- Maintain high code quality through automated testing, code reviews, and engineering best practices
- Design and optimise database models and queries to support performance and scalability
- Ensure system performance and reliability across a growing user base
- Contribute to and improve coding standards through regular, constructive code reviews
- Work cross‑functionally with engineering, product, design, and QA teams to deliver high‑quality outcomes
- Support Agile processes, including planning, estimation, and sprint delivery
- Troubleshoot and resolve bugs and production issues in collaboration with QA and support teams
- Drive innovation in product and engineering practices, staying up to date with emerging technologies
- Build and maintain integrations with third‑party systems (e.g. APIs, external platforms)
What We’re Looking For
Experience
- 5+ years in software development, including 2+ years in a Lead or senior role
- Proven experience building high‑performance SaaS or eCommerce products
- Track record of leading and mentoring engineers, with involvement in hiring and team development
Skills & Competencies
- Strong hands‑on experience with Ruby on Rails in large, established codebases
- Experience with AWS and modern cloud‑based architectures
- Solid understanding of software architecture, scalability, and system design
- Experience with CI/CD, DevOps practices, and tools (e.g. Kubernetes)
- Proficiency in web technologies (JavaScript, CSS/SASS); exposure to Vue, Laravel, or PHP is a plus
- Experience building and integrating APIs and working with SaaS platforms
- Strong knowledge of relational databases (MySQL/Aurora preferred)
- Experience with testing frameworks (e.g. RSpec) and code quality tools (e.g. RuboCop)
- Familiarity with Agile methodologies (Scrum/Kanban) and tools like Jira and Git
- Ability to design and deliver scalable, reliable, and secure systems
- Comfortable working across full‑stack development, including responsive front‑end implementation
- Experience improving engineering practices, delivery processes, and team performance
- Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills
- Interest in leveraging modern development tools (including AI‑assisted development)
Nice to Have
- Experience with video delivery platforms or learning management systems
- Exposure to PHP/Laravel within mixed‑technology environments
Qualifications
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or similar (preferred, not essential)
Job Benefits
At The National College, we’re passionate about helping organisations grow and thrive through knowledge and connection. You’ll be part of a business that values its people, supports continuous development, and celebrates success.
- Life assurance
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, and adoption pay
- 24/7 online GP access
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Charity day
- 25 days’ holiday, increasing to 30 days with service
- Professional study support
- Plus more
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