Who we work with

Deep in tech.
Deeper in relationships.

A selection of the senior placements we've made across the UK. We work with growth-stage and established tech companies on roles we know we can fill — and we're transparent when we can't.

Tech companies we've placed senior talent into
How we work

We know the tech sector.

When you brief us on a Frontend Engineer, DevOps role, Solutions Architect, or any other technology position, you get a straight assessment: the market, the brief itself, and whether we're the right fit to work on it. We'll tell you if we're not.

We take on a small number of briefs at a time and run each one with rigour. No volume plays, no spray-and-pray. Your search gets our full attention, every time.

01

Contingent Permanent

When to use this engagement: Building core technical teams and filling permanent vacancies in engineering and infrastructure roles.

Direct hire placement for permanent technology roles across the UK. We match skilled engineers, architects, and technical leaders with employers seeking long-term team members.

  • Deep knowledge of the technology market means we understand both candidate quality and employer needs.
  • We work across Frontend Engineering, Backend Engineering, DevOps, Cloud Architecture, and specialist disciplines like Machine Learning and Cybersecurity.
  • Small team approach means your brief gets personal attention, not a conveyor belt.
Discuss a brief
02

Temporary & Contract

When to use this engagement: Project-based roles, interim leadership, and contract DevOps or Solutions Architecture positions.

Short-term and contract placements for technology professionals. Ideal for project work, interim cover, and specialist assignments across the UK.

  • We maintain relationships with experienced contractors ready for immediate deployment.
  • Covers everything from QA & Testing through to Data Engineering and technical project management.
  • Flexible arrangements that work for both contractors and employers needing rapid resource.
Discuss a brief
03

Executive Search

When to use this engagement: CTO, VP Engineering, Principal Architect, and other senior technology executive positions.

Dedicated search for senior technology leadership and hard-to-fill specialist roles. We conduct thorough, confidential recruitment for C-level and principal-level appointments.

  • Bespoke approach to each search—we take time to understand your culture and technical vision.
  • Access to passive candidates and senior talent not actively job-hunting.
  • Discreet process suitable for confidential leadership transitions and strategic hires.
Discuss a brief

Questions we hear from tech hiring managers

What types of tech roles does Northstack specialise in?
We place software engineers (frontend and backend), DevOps professionals, cloud architects, solutions architects, and technical leadership roles across the UK. Our focus is on permanent, contract, and executive-level positions within the technology sector, particularly with growth-stage and established tech companies.
How quickly can you fill a tech role?
It depends on the role and the market, and we'll be upfront about that from day one. When you brief us, we give you a straight assessment of how long it's likely to take based on current demand and the specifics of your brief. We don't make promises we can't keep.
Do you work on multiple roles at once or focus on one at a time?
We take on a small number of briefs at a time so each search gets our full attention. We don't run volume plays or work dozens of roles simultaneously. If we take on your brief, it means we're confident we can fill it properly.
What if you don't think you're the right fit for our role?
We'll tell you. When you brief us, we assess whether it's work we do well and whether we're positioned to deliver. If we're not the right agency for the role, we'll say so upfront rather than waste your time.
How do you assess whether a tech candidate is right for our company?
We dig into the technical requirements and the team dynamics before we put anyone forward. Because we specialise in technology roles, we understand what a DevOps engineer actually does versus a cloud architect, and we assess candidates against the real demands of the role — not just keywords on a CV.
Do you only work with companies based in Oxford?
No. While we're based in Oxford, we place technology professionals across the UK. We work with growth-stage and established tech companies wherever they're located, as long as the role is one we're confident we can fill well.
What happens after I submit a brief?
We'll respond within one working day with a clear view on the market, an honest assessment of your brief, and whether it's work we're positioned to deliver on. If we take it on, you'll get regular updates and a rigorous search process from start to finish.
Do you work on contract roles as well as permanent hires?
Yes. We place permanent, contract, and executive-level technology professionals. Whether you need a contract DevOps specialist for a six-month project or a permanent technical leader, we work on roles across the full spectrum.

Got a tech role
we should know about?

Tell us about the brief. We'll respond within one working day with a clear view on the market, what the role should actually be, and whether it's work we do well.

Brief usWhat we do