Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security
Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security

Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security

Full-Time 110000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Forward Role

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and mentor Agile teams to deliver secure, scalable solutions in the National Security domain.
  • Company: Join a leading agency focused on innovative tech for UK National Security.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and excellent career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on mission-critical systems that protect national security.
  • Qualifications: Strong leadership in software engineering and proficiency in Python, Go, or Java.
  • Other info: Work with cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 110000 - 120000 £ per year.

Our exciting client is seeking an Engineering Lead to build and lead small, high-performing Agile teams (4-8 engineers) delivering secure, scalable solutions within the UK National Security (NatSec) domain.

Package - £110,000 - £120,000 + dv bonus + excellent package

Location - Cheltenham - Hybrid

Clearance - eDV Clearance Required

Overview: This is a hands-on leadership role combining architecture, software engineering, and team leadership, with a focus on Software, AI, data platforms, and cloud-native systems.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead and mentor Agile engineering teams, driving high-quality, rapid delivery (DevSecOps).
  • Own solution architecture, designing for secure and constrained environments.
  • Lead the implementation of the "underpinning tech" for AI, including data pipelines.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to UK Government stakeholders.
  • Define technical roadmaps and support cloud transformation (AWS/Azure).

Core Skills:

  • Background in UK National Security / Defence / Government.
  • Strong leadership experience in software engineering teams.
  • Proficiency in Python, Go, or Java (+ TypeScript/Node.js desirable).
  • Expertise in AWS or Azure, Terraform, and Kubernetes (EKS/AKS).
  • Strong grounding in SQL (Postgres) and NoSQL (MongoDB/DynamoDB).
  • Experience with CI/CD, microservices, TDD/BDD.
  • Knowledge of secure system design.

Desirable (AI & Data):

  • Vector DBs: Milvus, Weaviate, Pinecone.
  • Data orchestration: Airflow, Prefect, Dagster.
  • Search: ElasticSearch / OpenSearch.
  • AI frameworks: LangChain, Hugging Face.
  • MLOps: MLflow, Kubeflow.

If you are looking for an opportunity to work on mission-critical systems at the forefront of UK National Security, apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security employer: Forward Role

Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises innovation and excellence in the UK National Security sector. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have access to comprehensive training programmes and mentorship opportunities, fostering both personal and professional growth. The hybrid work model in Cheltenham not only offers flexibility but also places you at the heart of a vibrant tech community, making it an ideal environment for those passionate about impactful engineering solutions.
Forward Role

Contact Detail:

Forward Role Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience in UK National Security. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI, cloud, and secure systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.

✨Tip Number 3

Ace the interview! Research common interview questions for engineering leads and practice your responses. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve driven high-quality delivery in Agile teams.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We regularly update our listings with exciting opportunities in the tech space, so keep an eye out and get your application in early.

We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security

Agile Team Leadership
DevSecOps
Solution Architecture
AI Implementation
Data Pipeline Development
Technical Roadmap Definition
Cloud Transformation (AWS/Azure)
Proficiency in Python
Proficiency in Go
Proficiency in Java
Terraform
Kubernetes (EKS/AKS)
SQL (Postgres)
NoSQL (MongoDB/DynamoDB)
CI/CD
Microservices
TDD/BDD
Secure System Design
Vector Databases (Milvus, Weaviate, Pinecone)
Data Orchestration (Airflow, Prefect, Dagster)
Search Technologies (ElasticSearch, OpenSearch)
AI Frameworks (LangChain, Hugging Face)
MLOps (MLflow, Kubeflow)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Engineering Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading Agile teams and any relevant projects in AI, cloud, or national security. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you’ve driven high-quality delivery in past roles.

Showcase Relevant Skills: Be sure to showcase your technical skills, especially in Python, AWS, and secure system design. We love seeing specific examples of how you've used these skills in real-world scenarios, so don’t hold back!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we’re always updating our opportunities, so keep an eye out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Role

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Python, AWS, and Kubernetes. Brush up on your knowledge of secure system design and be ready to discuss how you've applied these skills in past projects.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As an Engineering Lead, your ability to mentor and lead teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led Agile teams, tackled challenges, and driven high-quality delivery. Highlight your experience in fostering collaboration and innovation within your teams.

✨Understand the National Security Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the UK National Security domain and current challenges. Be prepared to discuss how your technical expertise can contribute to mission-critical systems and how you can act as a trusted advisor to government stakeholders.

✨Prepare Questions for Them

Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about their projects, team dynamics, and future tech initiatives. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.

Engineering Lead - AI, Cloud & National Security
Forward Role

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