Software Engineering Team Lead

CleverPine is a service company that thinks and acts like a product organization. We build and take ownership of long-term software products, focusing on solving complex challenges in the aviation sector.

Forget about leasing people and timesheets; we build products and we are proud of the technology that drives the exciting industry of aviation forward. Our passion is tackling the toughest problems and engineering transformative solutions that reshape business operations from the ground up.

Zero corporate BS is our golden rule. We are straight shooters who think fast and focus on practical solutions. Our selection process is no exception – a single interview followed by feedback within the next calendar week.

Please read carefully below, because we truly mean what we say.

The Opportunity: Who We're Looking For

We are looking for a talented and driven Team Lead to join our fast-growing team in Sofia. In this role, you'll leverage your deep understanding of software engineering and the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to deliver sustainable solutions. You will be in charge of the professional development of your team members, challenged to expand your own expertise, and empowered to grow together with us.

Your Impact: Key Responsibilities

As a Team Lead, you will be at the heart of our delivery, guiding your team to success and ensuring we build things that matter.

• Lead & Empower: Guide a cross-functional team of software and quality engineers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on delivering exceptional outcomes.
• Mentor & Develop: Champion the growth of your team members by identifying development opportunities, setting clear goals, and providing the support and mentorship they need to excel.
• Own Technical Delivery: Take full ownership of the application development lifecycle. You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room, but you must facilitate impactful technical discussions and own the resulting decisions.
• Bridge Business & Tech: Act as the key liaison between business stakeholders and your team. You will manage expectations, own the product roadmap, and ensure everyone understands the business value of what you're building.
• Drive Innovation: Continuously seek and drive improvements in our toolsets, standards, and software solutions to keep us on the cutting edge.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Keep your finger on the pulse of new and relevant technologies, bringing fresh ideas and approaches to the team.

What You'll Bring: Core Qualifications

• Development Proficiency: Deep knowledge and at least 4 years of hands-on experience in a modern front-end or back-end stack (e.g., Java with Spring/Quarkus, C# with .NET, JS/TS with Angular/React/Node.js). We value adaptability and a drive to use the best tool for the job.
• End-to-End Technical Expertise: You can confidently articulate and collaborate on non-code topics like database design, REST API best practices, performance considerations, microservices architecture, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Cross-Functional Fluency: A deep understanding of how different roles (front-end, back-end, QE, DevOps, BA, Scrum Master) work together effectively within the SDLC.
• Project Leadership: Proven experience in successfully delivering at least one major release across multiple projects.
• Mentorship Experience: You can walk us through examples of how you have mentored others and positively impacted their professional growth.
• Adaptability & Drive: An eagerness to learn, step out of your comfort zone, and tackle unexpected challenges.
• Self-Discipline & Precision: Strong organizational skills and the ability to focus your attention effectively. You can be trusted with responsibility and can manage and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in English: Excellent command of both spoken and written English.

Bonus Points: What Will Be Considered an Advantage

• AI-Augmented SDLC - Practical experience using AI in requirements definition, development, or testing will be considered a strong advantage.
• Multi-field Exposure: Working experience in more than one technical role (e.g., front-end, back-end, quality engineering, DevOps).
• Leadership Experience: Previous experience in a formal leadership role focused on people's career developmentл

Our Technology Ecosystem

We constantly evaluate and adjust our primary tech stack to ensure we are leveraging the most effective tools and languages.

• Languages: Java 11+, JavaScript / TypeScript
• Frameworks: Spring, Quarkus, Angular 15+, React, Playwright
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MariaDB, MongoDB, Azure SQL
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift
• Testing: Gherkin / Cucumber, Playwright, Selenium, BrowserStack
• Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS
• Development Tools: IntelliJ IDEA, Visual Studio Code, Copilot
• AI Stack: ChatGPT/Claude.ai, Microsoft Copilot, In-house AI tools

What We Offer: The CleverPine Experience

• Top-Tier Colleagues: You will learn from (and teach) some of the brightest minds in the industry. We are all about collaboration and helping each other grow.
• Stay Modern: We use a modern, proven, and widely-used tech stack, creating the right environment to innovate, transform, and experiment.
• Ownership & Autonomy: We don’t micromanage. You will take responsibility for your commitments and have the freedom to design, test, fail, and build high-impact software solutions.
• Flexible Schedule: This is not a "clock in and out" company. We focus on productivity, not time tracking. No timesheets.
• Loads of Fun: We work hard, and we play hard. We organize awesome events, parties, and company-wide nights out. We also have active sports teams and a love for board games.

If the above is what drives you, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’d love to talk to you.