Data Team Lead

WHO ARE WE?

Searchlight Cyber provides organisations with relevant and actionable dark web threat intelligence, to help them identify and prevent criminal activity. 

Founded in 2017 with a mission to stop criminals acting with impunity on the dark web, we have been involved in some of the world’s largest dark web investigations and have the most comprehensive dataset based on proprietary techniques and ground-breaking academic research. 

Today we help government and law enforcement, enterprises, and managed security services providers around the world to illuminate deep and dark web threats and prevent attacks.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Our Engineering Managers serve as key people leaders here at Searchlight. In our Engineering teams they serve as the translators, organisers and motivators - bridging the gap between technical and commercial, enabling our developers to create the best possible tools to fight crime on the dark web.

This role functions as a Team Lead, looking after a team of talented Python developers, ensuring their work meets agreed goals around timescales and quality, but also their welfare. Ensuring they are motivated, supported and progressing in their career with us in whatever direction they choose.

This role isn’t expected to require much hands-on coding work, however it does require a strong technical background as you’ll be supporting developers with code reviews, scoping and planning sprints with the Product team as well as contributing to our strategic roadmap.

You’ll have a strategic focus, working to manage our projects and ensure a smooth delivery - removing any blockers as needed. You’ll be responsible for the data teams activities, improving process and best practice to help the team deliver more work at a higher standard

WHAT WILL I DO?

• Lead and line manage a team of Python developers, overseeing projects focused on data gathering, machine learning and other related fields

• Working closely with our product team, you’ll own projects from a strategic level - from the planning stages and scoping through to overseeing testing and eventual delivery.

• Work with our Head of Software Engineering to create a technical roadmap which improves and increases our data collection and processing capabilities

• In conjunction with our Head of Infrastructure and Security, you’ll ensure our infrastructure allows us to handle the volumes of data we ingest on a daily basis

• Work with the Talent Manager to recruit a team of world class python developers, scaling the team to meet demand and budget.

• Work with peers to foster a strong engineering culture which values continuous learning, collaboration and innovation.

• Determine your team’s need for training and talent development

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Strong python background, with knowledge in areas such as web scraping, machine learning or natural language processing being useful, but not essential

• Technical knowledge covering SQL, Elastic or other database tools would be useful

• Familiarity with Docker, Kubernetes, Linux and related technologies

• Experience leading a team of developers, with a focus on helping them develop new skills and refine existing ones

• Experience working with the Agile methodology, overseeing sprints and other ceremonies, you’ll ensure projects stay on track and meet relevant deadlines and milestones

• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts into business language, and vice versa

• Formal certifications aren’t needed for this role, however a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field would be useful. As would project management, Agile, Scrum etc.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Job satisfaction; working for a company that is genuinely making people's lives better and helping to reduce the impact of internet based crime.  You will have the opportunity to grow your career with the company in a very exciting industry.

On top of a generous salary in line with your experience, you’ll receive a great benefits package, a learning and development plan to help ensure your career always moves in the right direction and enter into a company wide bonus scheme.

We’re a committed team of professionals all from diverse backgrounds - software, data, security, sales and more. We all come together with a real passion for technology and a drive to make a difference - we’re committed to protecting society from threats and actors who use and abuse the dark web.

You’ll be challenged with interesting projects that will help you think outside the box and have plenty of opportunities to learn and practise new skills. You’ll be a key member of the team, directly contributing to our customer and supplier relationships and helping business goals. We believe in training & development, having fun and a great work life balance.

Your benefits package will include:

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Entry into company pension scheme

• Private healthcare from Axa, including dental and vision coverage

• You’ll receive a Perkbox membership, offering a range of high street discounts and other rewards

• We offer both TechScheme and Cycle2Work

• Comprehensive training and support to develop your career, including a training budget

• A range of office perks, including free fresh fruit daily, a bean to cup coffee machine and more

• Regular team building and reward events

INTERVIEW PROCESS

• Screening Call with our Talent Manager
• Short Technical test (role specific)
• 2 stage interview process with line manager and senior management 
  • We’d love to meet you in person for an interview, but are happy for a video call too!
• Offer and onboarding