At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and build of a secure metadata catalogue platform for a UK public sector client.
- Company: Join gravity9, an innovative tech company focused on impactful projects.
- Benefits: Remote work flexibility, competitive pay, and a chance to shape cutting-edge technology.
- Other info: 15-week contract with excellent opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in data governance while working with top-tier tech solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience in API design and architecture required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
gravity9 is seeking a Technical Lead / Solution Architect to lead the design and build of a secure metadata catalogue platform for a UK public sector client. The platform will serve as a centralised index for discovering, governing, and controlling access to data distributed across multiple independent domains — enabling authorised parties to locate and retrieve data without the catalogue itself holding or having visibility of the underlying data. This is a greenfield build requiring strong architectural judgment, hands-on delivery capability, and the ability to work within a multi-vendor environment where the catalogue integrates with separate data storage and encryption services provided by other technology partners.
Duration: 15 weeks
Commitment: Half-time for the first 4 weeks (design phase); full-time for the remaining 11 weeks (build and integration)
Working model: Mostly remote with periodic onsite attendance
Security clearance: BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) required
Residency: UK resident required
Technical Scope: The contractor will be responsible for leading the design and delivery of the API layer and application logic. A dedicated database consulting engineer will handle MongoDB cluster configuration, schema design, indexing, and performance tuning — the contractor will collaborate closely with them but will own the application-layer delivery.
Architecture & Design (Weeks 1–4, half-time):
- Design the Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) model, including policy attributes (clearance level, nationality, group/role, context), enforcement points, and decision logic
- Design the RESTful API architecture, including endpoint structure, request/response contracts, and error handling patterns
- Map out query patterns, access flows, and integration touchpoints with external systems (data storage and encryption services provided by partner organisations)
- Collaborate with the database consulting engineer on schema design, search strategy, and encryption approach to ensure the API layer aligns with the underlying data model
- Contribute to Infrastructure as Code design for deployment (Terraform or similar)
Build & Implementation (Weeks 5–15, full-time):
- Build a RESTful API layer in Java implementing full catalogue functionality:
- CRUD operations for metadata records
- Advanced search capability leveraging Atlas Search
- ABAC enforcement on all API operations, ensuring search results and data retrieval are filtered by the requestor’s access attributes
- Secure storage and retrieval of encrypted key material (shard keys) via CS-FLE
- Implement unit tests to validate functional correctness
- Build automated data load and stress testing harnesses for the combined API and cluster deployment
- Perform integration testing against external partner systems (or appropriate stand-ins) to validate end-to-end data creation and retrieval flows
- Produce API documentation and integration guides for consuming systems
Support knowledge transfer and training for client personnel.
Remote Lead Java Developer/Solution Architect (15-week contract) in Wigan employer: gravity9
At gravity9, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Remote Lead Java Developer/Solution Architect, you will have the opportunity to work on a cutting-edge project for a UK public sector client, with flexible working arrangements and a focus on professional growth. Our commitment to employee development, combined with the chance to lead a greenfield build, makes this role not only rewarding but also a significant step in your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Remote Lead Java Developer/Solution Architect (15-week contract) in Wigan
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at gravity9 who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at gravity9!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at gravity9 to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Remote Lead Java Developer/Solution Architect (15-week contract) in Wigan
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at gravity9!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Remote Lead Java Developer/Solution Architect (15-week contract) at gravity9! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at gravity9
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that gravity9 uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at gravity9 that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest gravity9, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
