Software Engineering Manager/Director

Our client is a fast-growing global SaaS provider with an established engineering hub in Europe and an expanding international footprint. As part of their global growth strategy, they are launching a new office in Abu Dhabi and building out their engineering presence in the region.

The Opportunity

This is a foundational leadership role—you will be the first engineering hire in the UAE, responsible for establishing and scaling the local engineering presence while leading distributed teams globally.

You will work closely with senior leadership, including the CTO, to drive delivery, build high-performing teams, and ensure alignment across international engineering functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage distributed engineering teams across Abu Dhabi and Europe
• Build and scale the UAE engineering function from the ground up
• Drive delivery, quality, and execution across backend and frontend teams
• Partner closely with Product and Architecture to align priorities and outcomes
• Own global resource allocation and capacity planning
• Establish scalable development processes and best practices
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of engineering talent
• Foster a strong engineering culture built on accountability and collaboration
• Use data and delivery metrics to guide decision-making and prioritisation

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as an Engineering Manager or in a similar leadership role
• Strong track record managing distributed or global engineering teams
• Experience leading multiple teams (backend and frontend)
• Ability to operate in fast-growing, evolving environments
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience in resource planning, prioritisation, and delivery management
• Background in software engineering (highly preferred)
• Experience hiring and developing engineering talent
• Data-driven mindset with a focus on measurable outcomes

Nice to Have

• Experience scaling engineering teams from early stages
• Experience working closely with Product and Design
• Familiarity with AI tools in engineering workflows

Why Join?

• Founding role in the UAE with high visibility and impact
• Opportunity to shape and scale a global engineering function
• Work directly with senior leadership, including the CTO
• International, collaborative environment
• Strong growth and career progression potential
• Flexible working arrangements