Head of Engineering bei Registers of Scotland

Total remuneration: £89,984-£102,853 – please note this is a defined pay scale 
Pay Supplement: The base salary for this role is £74,987 - £85,711. This job qualifies for a 20% Digital, Data and Technology Annual Pay supplement which is included in the total remuneration above.    
Pension: 28.97% of base salary (RoS contribution) 
Annual leave: 42 days annual holiday 
Duration: Permanent 
Working Pattern: 35 hours per week. We are a flexible employer and will consider a variety of working patterns on a case-by-case basis. For example, compressed hours, term-time working or part-time working. 
Location: Hybrid working model. Contractual base either at Meadowbank House, Edinburgh (EH8 7AU), or St Vincent Plaza, Glasgow (G2 5LD). You will be expected to attend one of these locations as required by the role.  
Department: IT Development 
Directorate: Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) 
Role Reports to: DDaT Director 
Grade: C2 
Closing date:  2 November at 11.59pm
Number of vacancies: 1 

Registers of Scotland (RoS) 
Join an award-winning organisation recognised for its technology and innovation. Registers of Scotland is a world-leading pioneer in land and property registration. Our full-stack teams design, architect, and build all our registration products in-house. We work to create digital solutions for the people of Scotland. You will get an opportunity to nurture your creativity and develop with us through access to the latest data, software engineering and product delivery techniques.  

Inclusion 
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects Scotland. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups in Technology and design. Your unique perspective and experience will strengthen our team's ability to create services that work for all our communities. 

This job is for you if you want… 

• Work with purpose: working for the people of Scotland to set the bar for land and property registration worldwide. 
• Flexible and hybrid working: depending on the role and team requirements, work when and where it’s best for you and your stakeholders.  
• Benefits: enjoy pay progression, pension contributions of up to 28.97%, up to a year’s parental leave, and 42 days annual holiday. 
• Investment in professional development: we invest in all our people so that they have the right skills to be productive and confident in their job. 
• Diversity and Inclusion: We are an ‘Investor in People’ and a ‘Disability Confident’ employer. We are inclusive, stronger together, and committed to putting our people first. 
• Inclusive and supportive culture: RoS values diverse perspectives and experiences. We're an agile, digital organisation where everyone has a voice in shaping our strategy. You'll join a collaborative environment where different approaches are celebrated and where we actively work to ensure everyone can contribute their best work. 

To learn more about RoS and what we offer visit our careers pages or watch this short video. 

Hear from our colleagues about their experience of working within our Digital, Data and Technology teams on our website. 

Our Tech stack  

• Backend: Java, Python and Spring Boots 
• Frontend: JavaScript, React and Typescript 
• DevOps: AWS. CI/CD, Kubernetes and OpenShift 
• AWS: AWS SNS, Comprehend, EC2, Lambdas, RDS, SageMaker and Textract 
• Data: Hadoop, Microsoft SQL Server, Pandas, PowerBI, PostgreSQL, Pytorch, Spark, TensorFlow and Tableau 

The Role 

RoS is looking for an exceptional Head of Engineering to lead and evolve our software engineering capability, shaping how we design, build, and deliver secure, modern, and user-centred digital services that support Scotland’s people, property, and economy. 

As a key member of our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) leadership team, you’ll set a bold vision for engineering at RoS, championing innovation, technical excellence, and sustainable delivery. You’ll drive adoption of modern practices such as cloud, DevSecOps, and AI-enabled tools, ensuring our platforms are high-quality, resilient, and cost-effective. Leading a community of around 100 engineers, you’ll foster an inclusive, learning-oriented culture that attracts, develops, and retains top talent. You’ll shape our future workforce through initiatives such as apprenticeships and graduate programmes, while building strong internal leadership and succession pipelines. 

Over the next 12–24 months, success in the role will mean: 

• A clear, endorsed engineering strategy and roadmap aligned with RoS’s corporate plan 
• The delivery of high-quality, resilient, scalable and cost effective software that meets the needs of the business, our colleagues and our customers 
• Reduced reliance on contractors through strengthened in-house capability 
• Launch of a talent and apprenticeship pipeline for future engineers 
• Improved DORA, cost-to-serve, and customer satisfaction metrics 
• Consistent adoption of secure-by-design and DevOps practices, supported by real-time performance data 
• Demonstrable, responsible use of AI-enabled tools 
• A growing reputation for RoS engineering leadership across Scotland’s digital community 

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of digital delivery for one of Scotland’s most trusted public bodies, where your leadership will have national impact. 

Responsibilities  
Setting Direction 

• Define and execute the engineering vision and strategy, ensuring RoS has the capabilities to deliver its goals. 
• Drive innovation and adoption of technologies such as AI, establishing a safe, value-driven approach to emerging tools and platforms. 
• Lead the ‘Developer Experience’ with clear ways of working, standards, tooling, and methodologies to ensure high-quality solutions and reduce delivery risks. 
• Influence the technical landscape across RoS, from enterprise-wide approaches to software and platform choices. 
• Contribute to the wider DDaT strategy and represent engineering at Executive and Board level. 

Delivery & Operations 

• Ensure delivery of secure, scalable, resilient software using agile, lean, and human-centred practices. 
• Improve productivity and efficiency within engineering through innovative tools and operational practices without compromising quality. 
• Embed continuous improvement across quality, maintainability, accessibility, FinOps, and security, tracking internal (DORA, security) and external (Cost to Serve, CSAT) metrics. 
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, and sustainable talent pipelines, reducing dependency on contractors while delivering value for money. 
• Collaborate with Product and Cross-Digital teams to manage budgets and establish cost-effective engineering operations. 
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative culture to identify technical solutions and ensure alignment with organisational priorities. 

Governance & Standards 

• Lead engineering strategies, standards, and practices aligned with the RoS corporate plan, driving continuous improvement. 
• Define and monitor governance to maintain high engineering standards and code quality. 
• Partner with Platform Engineering and IT Security to embed DevSecOps, CI/CD, and secure-by-design practices, ensuring compliance with security, accessibility, and regulatory requirements. 

People Leadership 

• Build and lead a high-performing engineering community, developing C1 leaders and effective succession plans. 
• Strengthen talent management and recruitment to attract, develop, and retain top engineering talent. 
• Foster communities of practice, coaching, and mentoring to improve skills, innovation, and collaboration. 
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to promote technical excellence and knowledge exchange. 
• Forecast future skills needs and work with People & Change teams to ensure L&D capability and talent pipelines, including apprenticeships and university partnerships. 
• Directly line manage C1 colleagues across development and test practices, overseeing development, succession planning, objectives, and performance management. 

For full details and expectations please review the Candidate Information Pack here 

Key Responsibilities 
Essential Criteria – Skills and Attributes for Success 

Technical Experience: 
We will assess you against the following Experience and Technical skills during the application and assessment process:  

• Significant experience of leading high performing, continuously delivering agile development teams.
• Proven track record in building, recruiting, and developing high-performing software engineering teams
• Strong background in software architecture and development across key stacks (Java, event-based microservices, AWS, OpenShift, CI/CD, TDD).  
• Strong understanding of AI and its application within modern software engineering, with demonstrable experience in assessing, adopting, and integrating AI-enabled tools, platforms, and practices (e.g., code generation, testing automation, intelligent monitoring)  
• Experience in implementing technology strategies and managing delivery of large-scale technical services and budgets (>£10m).  
• Expertise in embedding and assuring best practice across software engineering standards (security, testing, accessibility, monitoring)
• Experience of public sector procurement and operating within Digital First or equivalent frameworks 
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills, with ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels 
• Demonstrable ability to balance strategic direction with delivery focus, achieving value for money and measurable outcomes   

Behaviours 
You will be scored against the below Behaviours at the assessment stages: 

• Leadership 
• Communicating and Influencing/ Developing Self and Others (Cluster) 
• Seeing the Big Picture / Making Effective Decisions (Cluster) 
• Changing and Improving 
• Delivering at Pace/ Managing a Quality Service (Cluster) 

Application Process  
To apply, click on 'Apply now' and complete the online application form.  
You will need to submit: 

• A CV outlining your career history and how you meet the technical experience criteria (max four pages).  
• Please provide a supporting statement of no more than 500-750 words. 
• Your statement should take the form of a covering letter and include an example of leading or developing a strategy within a complex or large-scale organisation, particularly at a pivotal moment.  The panel will assess your statement against the technical experience criteria outlined above. Please ensure you clearly demonstrate how your skills and achievements meet these requirements.  
• Your CV and supporting statement should be submitted as a single PDF file. 

Please note: 

• If we receive a high volume of applications, we may complete an initial sift on Technical/ Experience Criteria  
• We reserve the right to invite candidates to participate in a telephone interview prior to being further assessed.  
• Applications that are not accompanied by CVs will not be scored or statements over 750 words will not be considered.  
• We would strongly recommend that your statement is written in the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action & Result) and suggest preparing your answers using software such as MS Word or Google Docs, and then uploading the file.  
• We strongly advise you review our policy on responsible use of AI in the application process. RoS may check answers with an AI detection tool and will contact you for a pre-screening call to verify your responses.  
• Applications and appointments are subject to a strict merit-based assessment process, in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. 

Assessment Stage 1 
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to a 30-minute online interview which will include the following:  

• Behaviour and experience and technical criteria 

Assessment Stage 2 
If you are successful at the first-stage interview, you will be asked to complete an online psychometric test and will be invited to attend an in-person assessment at our Glasgow office. The assessment will include the following: 

• Behaviour Based Interview 
• Further applied exercise

Please note the final assessments will require ½ a day presence in our Glasgow office. 

Information on Success Profiles 

For further information on success profiles, visit our  Success Profiles. 

Recruitment timeline 
Closing date: 2 November at 11.59pm 
Assessment Stage 1: 4-7 November 
Psychometric Testing: 7-12 November 
Assessment Stage 2: is scheduled to run from 13 November 

Feedback 
Feedback will only be provided if you progress to interview stage. 

Reserve List 
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months. 

Nationality and immigration status  
In general, only nationals from the following countries (and associations of countries) are eligible for employment in the Civil Service: the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and the Commonwealth. EU nationals (with settled or pre-settled status), certain EEA nationals, Swiss and Turkish nationals are also eligible for employment. Detailed provisions on determining eligibility on the grounds of nationality and, where relevant, immigration status can be reviewed here. 

Security  
Successful candidates must undergo a Level 1 Disclosure check.  
Individuals working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion  
As a proud member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. RoS is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of selection process is used. To learn more about diversity at RoS please see our EDI strategy.  

As part of the application process, we would like to invite you to please complete our diversity monitoring form. This information is not shared with recruitment panels.  

If you require any adjustments to our recruitment process, please let us know via @ros.gov.uk. Please see this page for more information on adjustments. 

DDaT supplement  

This post is part of the Digital, Data and Technology profession (DDAT) and attracts a pay supplement.  This is a tool which RoS uses to benchmark our salaries against current market rates. A review of the benchmark is undertaken every two years, this means that the supplement may go up or down depending on market activity. Advance notice will be given of any changes.  


Further information 
For further information relating to RoS, including: 

Additional details on pay & benefits 

The Civil Service Code 

Complaints process  

Use of AI in the application/recruitment process 

Please view our additional information page online. 
 
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]