Lead Software Engineer

£ 550.17 PAYE rate – INSIDE IR35

CV Deadline: Weds 17th June COP (4.30)

Locations below – Hybrid 2 days pw office based

• London (HQ): Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, SW1A 2DY
• Manchester: Trinity Bridge House, 2 Dearmans Place, Salford, M3 5EG
• Birmingham: 23 Stephenson Street, B2 4BJ & Victoria Square House, B2 4AJ
• Cardiff: Tŷ William Morgan, 6 Narrative Drive, Central Square, CF10 1XS
• North East: Feethams House, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5AD

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of scalable software solutions
• Translate user needs into technical outcomes
• Build secure, test-driven, high-quality code
• Support and maintain live services (performance & stability)
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (BA, UCD, Developers)
• Oversee development across multiple workstreams
• Drive continuous improvement of systems and processes
• Ensure integration across complex systems

Technical Environment

• Primary Stack: Python, Django
• Backend-focused with full-stack awareness
• Multiple user journeys (~27 frontend journeys)
• Government Digital Service (GDS) aligned delivery

Team Structure

• Total team: ~27 people
• 4 Agile squads (~7 per squad)
• Typical squad includes:
  • 3 × Senior Developers
  • Business Analyst
  • UCD Specialists (Content, Interaction, Design)

Ways of Working

• Agile delivery model
• Daily stand-ups (~10am)
• Ticket-based workflow
• Collaborative problem-solving
• Focus on:
  • Clean code
  • Engineering standards
  • Testing & documentation

Key Requirements

Essential

• Strong Python and Django experience
• Proven system design capability (end-to-end)
• Strong collaboration and communication skills
• Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to contribute to secure, structured environments
• Minimum 5+ years’ experience (ideally 8–10 years)

Top 3 Evaluation Criteria

1. Python & Django technical expertise
2. System design and architecture capability
3. Strong communication and teamwork skills

Desirable

• Experience with GDS standards
• Public sector or defence-related experience
• Exposure to secure or regulated environments

Domain Context

• Defence / government environment (e.g. MOD, HMRC)
• Focus on export control systems (weapons, aircraft, sensitive goods)
• Security-focused work contributing to national interest

Candidate Profile

• T-shaped skillset (deep technical + broad system awareness)
• Strong delivery focus and efficiency
• Comfortable taking ownership and leading within squads
• Experience working in structured, governance-heavy environments

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