At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of developers while coding in Node.js and delivering impactful digital services.
- Company: Join Amber Labs, a cutting-edge digital consultancy focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture that values innovation and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public-sector technology and grow your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong Node.js experience and proven leadership in software development teams.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Remote (UK-based)
Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (FTC)
Clearance Requirement: BPSS eligibility essential (we cannot sponsor)
About Amber Labs
Amber Labs is a cutting-edge digital consultancy specialising in data, cloud, and software engineering solutions for high-impact projects. We partner with organisations to deliver secure, modern, and user-centred digital services. Our culture is collaborative, innovative, and focused on technical excellence.
Role Overview
We are seeking a Lead Software Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract, working fully remote. This is a hands-on role that also requires strong leadership capabilities to guide a development team delivering complex central-government digital services. The ideal candidate will have solid central government project experience, extensive Node.js coding expertise, and a proven ability to lead, mentor, and influence technical teams while remaining actively involved in day-to-day development.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, mentor, and support a team of software developers, ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to engineering best practices.
- Maintain a hands-on approach to software development, primarily using Node.js.
- Contribute to architecture, design decisions, and technical planning, ensuring alignment with client needs and modern engineering standards.
- Work closely with product owners, architects, and central government stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with GDS (Government Digital Service) standards, including security, performance, and accessibility.
- Participate in sprint ceremonies, estimations, and Agile delivery processes.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, technical excellence, and knowledge sharing.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong, hands-on Node.js coding experience.
- Proven experience working on central government digital projects.
- Demonstrable experience leading or mentoring development teams.
- Eligible for BPSS clearance.
- Strong understanding of modern software engineering practices: CI/CD, automated testing, APIs, cloud-native development.
- Comfortable working within Agile, multi-disciplinary teams.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
- Knowledge of microservice architectures.
- Understanding of GDS service standards and GOV.UK design patterns.
- Experience working within consultancy or client-facing environments.
What We Offer
- Fully remote working.
- Opportunities to work on meaningful public-sector and government services.
- A supportive environment that values innovation, professional growth, and modern engineering practices.
Why Amber Labs?
At Amber Labs, we pride ourselves on a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration. You’ll join a diverse, supportive team delivering meaningful outcomes across UK Government digital transformation programmes.
Why Join Us?
- Join a fast-growing consultancy delivering high-impact public-sector technology.
- Develop skills across cloud engineering, secure development, automation, and large-scale transformations.
- Private Medical Insurance (Aviva).
- Company Pension Plan (Nest).
- 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays.
- Perkbox – global employee rewards and wellbeing platform.
- Generous employee referral scheme.
- Supportive, inclusive environment encouraging innovation and growth.
- Choose your preferred working device – Mac or PC.
Diversity & Inclusion at Amber Labs
At Amber Labs, diversity fuels innovation. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected.
- Welcome a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
- Promote equality and inclusion across all teams.
- Maintain a workplace free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment.
Important Information
- We cannot accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship.
- BPSS eligibility is required before starting.
- Applicants must be based in the UK and able to travel occasionally to Manchester.
What Happens Next?
After reviewing your application, our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to outline next steps. The process typically includes two interview stages, with a possible third involving our company Partners if required.
Lead Software Developer in Manchester employer: Amber Labs
Amber Labs is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for a Lead Software Developer to thrive. With a focus on personal growth, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to take ownership of their projects while benefiting from competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and comprehensive health coverage. The opportunity to work on high-impact government programmes in a supportive environment ensures that your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Developer in Manchester
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Amber Labs or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Amber Labs.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Amber Labs.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Amber Labs that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Developer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Amber Labs.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Amber Labs and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Amber Labs
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Amber Labs uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
