Head of Engineering

Company Description

Entain India is the engineering and delivery powerhouse for Entain, one of the world's leading global sports and gaming groups. Established in Hyderabad in 2001, we've grown from a small tech hub into a dynamic force, delivering cutting-edge software solutions and support services that power billions of transactions for millions of users worldwide.

Our focus on quality at scale drives us to create innovative technology that supports Entain's mission to lead the change in global sports and gaming sector. At Entain India, we make the impossible possible, together.

Job Description

We're seeking a Head of Engineering to lead software design, drive system robustness, and ensure timely delivery of scalable solutions—all aligned with business goals. This role blends technical leadership with project execution, guiding complex initiatives while optimizing team performance.

If you're an experienced engineering leader with a deep background in Java, API development, and modern architecture practices—and you're passionate about driving technology transformation and developing high-performing teams—apply to join us and help shape the future of our engineering success.

Responsibilities:

• Lead technology modernization and transformation initiatives, evolving legacy systems into scalable, cloud-native architectures.
• Break down complex projects into manageable tasks, upholding high standards in software design, especially for Java-based backends and API-driven services.
• Define project scopes and influence product and engineering direction with a strong focus on modern backend architecture and MACH principles.
• Optimize performance, code quality, and system uptime; enhance visibility through key engineering metrics.
• Champion new Ways of Working (WoW) across engineering teams to foster agility, innovation, and delivery excellence.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align engineering execution with business priorities and resolve organizational challenges.
• Mentor engineers and drive knowledge-sharing on MACH architecture, cloud platforms, and service-oriented patterns.
• Recruit top engineering talent and promote the company's tech brand through open-source contributions, tech talks, and community engagement.

Role Context

• This role is within the CRM domain and requires a leader who can bring both technical authority and operational maturity.
• The primary mandate of this role is to drive internal modernization initiatives and lead meaningful technology transformation across the organization.
• Lead tech transformation programs in areas such as Royalty and Rewards, driving deep architectural improvements and process transformation beyond standard delivery execution.

Experience & Seniority

• Minimum 5+ years of people management experience in engineering leadership roles.

Team Structure

• Lead an organization of 50–100 engineers across multiple squads, including Engineering Managers and Tech Leads within the reporting structure.
• Operate effectively as a second-line leader with a strong focus on coaching, mentoring, and developing managers as well as senior technical leaders.

Qualifications

• Strong technical competency in AI-powered SDLC, with hands-on experience using AI coding tools such as Claude or Kiro.
• Deeply hands-on expertise in Java as the primary programming language; experience with AWS is considered a strong advantage.
• Proven experience operating as a second-line manager, leading Engineering Managers and Principal Engineers rather than directly managing individual contributors.
• Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to mentor, influence, and drive accountability across multiple layers of management.
• Technologist at heart with strong operational excellence — capable of balancing engineering quality with delivery discipline.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate and align effectively across cross-functional teams and senior leadership.
• Prior hands-on experience as an Individual Contributor before transitioning into leadership, ensuring strong technical credibility with engineering teams.

Additional Information

At Entain India, we offer a strong package and the support people need to make an impact. Join us, and a great compensation package is just the beginning. You can expect to receive benefits like:

• Safe home pickup and home drop.
• A regular bonus and great pension.
• 24 days annual leave.
• Extra paid leave, including wellbeing and development days.
• Life assurance and Income Protection.
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support.
• INR 3,000 per month Communication allowance.
• Up to INR 16,000 per year in Crèche expenses (children under 3).

Equal Opportunities.

If you need any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us and we'll support you.

We're committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to be themselves.

We're an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from everyone and we do not discriminate based on age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage/civil partnership, or any other basis.

We comply with all applicable recruitment regulations and employment laws in the jurisdictions where we operate, ensuring ethical and compliant hiring practices globally.