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- Tasks: Lead the full software lifecycle and guide a team in building robust systems.
- Company: Growing engineering-led company focused on real-world monitoring solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, hybrid work, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Step into a true ownership role with direct influence on impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Strong Java experience and proven track record in system lifecycle management.
- Other info: Stable environment with significant autonomy and long-term growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Hertfordshire (Hybrid)
Salary: ÂŁ100,000 + bonus + benefits
We’re partnering with a growing, engineering-led company building real-world monitoring and data systems used across critical infrastructure environments. This is a rare opportunity to step into a true “owner” role, taking over responsibility for a complex, live platform where you’ll shape architecture, lead technical direction, and work closely with senior leadership as the business scales.
If you’re looking to move beyond feature delivery and API building, into end-to-end system ownership, long-term technical decision-making, and high-impact work, this is that step.
About the Company- Established, profitable UK business entering a high-growth phase
- Engineering-led, with a strong focus on building robust, real-world systems
- Small, highly technical team with significant autonomy and influence
- No external investor pressure → stable, long-term environment
This is not a typical “senior developer” position. You’ll be stepping into a lead / successor role, taking responsibility for a core platform currently owned by a founding technologist.
You’ll:
- Own the full software lifecycle; design, build, deployment, and ongoing operation
- Lead and guide a small team of developers and support engineers
- Drive stability, security, and performance of a live production system
- Work on complex, data-heavy systems with real-time inputs and high availability requirements
- Define technical direction and roadmap in collaboration with leadership
This is a role for someone who wants to run systems, not just build features.
Tech Stack (High-Level)- Backend: Java / enterprise middleware environment
- Infrastructure: Linux-based, privately hosted systems
- Integration: APIs, messaging (e.g. MQTT), distributed systems
- Data: High-volume, real-time data processing and storage
The platform operates across multiple layers. From data ingestion and processing through to end-user applications, requiring strong system-level thinking.
RequirementsMust-have:
- Strong experience in Java or similar backend systems
- Proven track record across the full software/system lifecycle
- Experience building and running high-availability, production systems
- Strong understanding of databases, system performance, and architecture
Nice-to-have:
- Experience with messaging systems (e.g. MQTT) or distributed systems
- Exposure to containerisation / cloud / infrastructure
- Experience mentoring or leading developers
Salary: ÂŁ100,000
Bonus: Performance-related
Working setup: Hybrid (Hertfordshire-based office)
Benefits: Pension, private healthcare, additional perks
More importantly:
- A genuine “step up” into ownership
- Direct influence on technical and business direction
- The chance to work on real-world systems with tangible impact
- A stable environment with long-term growth potential
If you’re looking for a role where you can take real ownership of a complex system and grow into a strategic technical leader, apply directly or get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Lead Full-Stack Software Engineer - Java in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Foster Growth
Contact Detail:
Foster Growth Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Full-Stack Software Engineer - Java in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those that highlight your experience with Java and full-stack development. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to system ownership and architecture. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and taking on that ownership role.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Full-Stack Software Engineer - Java in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Ownership: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for taking ownership of complex systems. We want to see how you've led projects or teams in the past and how you can bring that experience to our engineering-led environment.
Be Specific About Your Experience: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples! We’re looking for a proven track record across the full software lifecycle, so share specific projects where you’ve designed, built, and maintained high-availability systems. This will help us understand your depth of experience.
Tailor Your Application to Us: Make sure your application speaks directly to the role and our company culture. Use language from the job description and show us how your background aligns with our focus on robust, real-world systems. This helps us see you as a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foster Growth
✨Know Your Tech Stack Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Java and the other technologies mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your knowledge of high-availability systems, databases, and real-time data processing. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to take ownership of the platform.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a small team, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully guided others in the past. Talk about your experience mentoring developers or making strategic decisions that impacted the project positively. This will highlight your readiness for a lead position.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss complex challenges you've faced in previous roles, especially those related to system performance and stability. Use specific examples to illustrate how you approached these issues and what the outcomes were. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Align with Company Values
Research the company’s focus on engineering-led solutions and their approach to building robust systems. Be ready to express how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their growth phase. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.