Lead Software Developer

We’re looking for a highly skilled and proactive Lead Developer to join CNS in Southampton and take a central role in designing, developing, and delivering high‑quality software across our customs and logistics platforms. In this role, you’ll lead our development team, provide expert technical direction, and support the end‑to‑end delivery of modern, scalable solutions.

You’ll work closely with project managers, business analysts, QA, architects, and wider technical teams to translate business needs into robust technical designs. You’ll also mentor developers, champion best practice, and drive continuous improvement across our engineering processes. This role is vital to the successful delivery of CNS’s software roadmap and the enhancement of our next‑generation platform.

This position is ideal for a strong developer with leadership experience who is passionate about high‑quality engineering, modern frameworks, and building resilient, secure applications in a fast‑moving environment.

CNS are an IT services business processing customs clearance and other regulatory and commercial information for over 100 locations around the UK, including links to Customs for FedEx, UPS and TNT. CNS’s systems provide real time clearance of cargo without which it’s maritime and air customers’ freight cannot move. CNS customs links are a pre‑requisite for the movement of cargo through DP World Southampton and TCS. CNS is part of DP World Southampton and as part of this team you will work on site.

How you will contribute

• Lead the CNS development team in designing, developing, testing, and deploying high‑quality software solutions.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to senior and junior developers.
• Translate business and technical requirements into well‑structured, scalable solutions.
• Work closely with project managers, BAs, QA and other stakeholders to ensure accurate delivery of software components.
• Manage multiple development projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with agreed timelines and scope.
• Conduct code reviews, oversee debugging activities, and promote adherence to coding standards.
• Stay up to date with emerging tools, technologies and industry trends, incorporating relevant advancements into CNS development practices.
• Ensure technical documentation is accurate, clear and accessible.
• Support CI/CD processes, code quality improvements and automation initiatives.
• Actively participate in delivery activities, including coding, testing and deployment.
• Support collaborative communication across teams, ensuring alignment on project goals and progress.
• Continuously identify areas for process, workflow and performance improvement.

What you will bring

• Strong experience delivering software applications within enterprise environments.
• Excellent Java development experience, including Spring, Spring Boot, Hibernate and RESTful APIs.
• Experience with relational databases (Oracle, SQL Server) and writing complex SQL queries.
• Knowledge of CI/CD tools such as Jenkins, version control with Git, and containerisation tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with automated testing frameworks such as JUnit or Mockito.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to mentor, guide and technically support developers at all levels.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across technical and non‑technical teams.
• Ability to manage workload, prioritise effectively and work well under pressure.
• Commitment to producing high‑quality, well‑documented software.

Compensation

DP World offers exciting and challenging roles within a growing international organization. We strive to hire and develop the right people, locally and globally, stimulating personal growth and self-development within an informal atmosphere. We offer a market competitive compensation package.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 103,000 employees spanning 75 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that’s fit for the future.

We’re rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades. The DP World family comprises of Syncreon, Imperial and P&O.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we’re at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We believe that employees are happiest when they’re empowered to be their true, authentic selves. So, please come as you are. We can’t wait to meet you.

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