Senior Engineer (Checkatrade Labs)

Senior Engineer - Checkatrade Labs

Revolutionise the Trades Industry with Cutting-Edge Tech

Checkatrade Labs is not your typical engineering team. We are the high-velocity innovation hub within Checkatrade, operating like a startup inside an established, industry-leading company. Our mission? To rapidly experiment, build, and launch game-changing products that digitise the UK trades market.

If you’re the kind of engineer who thrives in fast-paced environments, loves solving real-world problems with AI, and wants to see the tangible impact of your work in production from day one, this is the team for you.

Why Join Checkatrade Labs?

• Move at Startup Speed – We launch MVPs in weeks, not months. Work in small, autonomous teams that make decisions fast.

• AI-First Engineering – We harness the power of AI tools and APIs in production from day one, accelerating development and enhancing product capabilities.

• Build Zero-to-One Products – Experience the thrill of taking an idea from concept to a fully operational product.

• Data-Driven Decisions – We prioritise instrumentation, analytics, and rapid experimentation to validate ideas.

• Hands-On Innovation – Work directly with users, founders, and stakeholders to shape products that disrupt the home improvement industry.

What You'll Be Doing

• Build & Launch Fast – Create and deploy MVPs in weeks, not months.

• Own Technical Direction – Make key architectural decisions that balance speed with scalability.

• Experiment Rapidly – Prototype, test, and iterate quickly while maintaining high standards of data collection.

• Work Autonomously – Collaborate with product entrepreneurs and take ownership of engineering decisions.

• Be Empowered with AI – Leverage AI-powered development tools to move faster and smarter.

Who You Are

• A builder at heart – You love crafting new products from scratch.

• Passionate about startups and zero-to-one development.

• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapid decision-making.

• Self-directed with strong entrepreneurial instincts.

• Excited to wear multiple hats and work across the full stack.

• Interested in eventually becoming a tech co-founder or startup CTO.

Your Tech Superpowers

• Strong full-stack engineering skills with experience in rapid prototyping.

• Proficiency in TypeScript, Node.js, React, and cloud platforms.

• A data-driven mindset with experience in metrics-based development.

• A track record of shipping in fast-paced environments.

• Hands-on experience with API development and modern software engineering practices.

Our Tech Stack

Frontend: React, TypeScript
Backend: Node.js, TypeScript
Cloud: Google Cloud Platform (Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, Firestore)
AI: Claude/GPT, Clinebot, Devin
Tools: Retool for MVPs, PERN Stack for durable applications

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a technical co-founder or want to experience the thrill of startup-style innovation with the resources and stability of a leading company, this is your chance. Join Checkatrade Labs and help us shape the future of home improvement services through rapid innovation, AI-powered engineering, and industry-first solutions.

• We believe in the power of homes to improve lives, support livelihoods, and build communities. That’s why our mission is to be the trusted foundation of every home by connecting people with the trades and tools to make home improvements easy. 

  Established in 1998, we’ve built a UK leading brand, expanded our trade base, and seen record levels of consumer demand – but this is just a start!  We are excited about the unique opportunity ahead of us to deliver unparalleled growth while strengthening our position as a UK leading marketplace for home improvements and repairs.  
  
  Our values are who we are and what we do. As a collective we are all in and moving at pace. We have a bias for action and are always customer obsessed. We are innately ambitious and think big and bold. And we always do the right thing by our customers and our team.
  
  So, if you want to be part of a forward-thinking, values driven business that is truly going places - then maybe this is the place for you?