Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer (Python & Django) Contract Length: 12 Months Rate: Up to £750 per day (Umbrella) IR35 Status: Inside IR35 Clearance Required: Active SC Clearance Working Pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite Locations London Manchester Birmingham Cardiff Darlington The Opportunity We are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer with strong Python and Django expertise to join a major digital transformation programme operating within a secure and highly regulated environment. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design, development, and delivery of secure, scalable digital services supporting business-critical systems. Working within a modern agile delivery environment, you will play a key role in shaping technical solutions, leading engineering activities, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will be a hands-on technical leader with a passion for engineering excellence, modern software development practices, and delivering high-quality digital services. Key Responsibilities Lead the design and development of scalable software solutions using Python and Django Translate user and business requirements into secure, reliable technical solutions Develop clean, maintainable, and test-driven code Design systems with security, resilience, and performance at their core Support, maintain, and enhance live production services Provide technical leadership across multiple workstreams and integrations Collaborate with Developers, Business Analysts, Designers, and UCD specialists Review technical designs and ensure adherence to engineering standards and best practices Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges Drive continuous improvement in engineering processes and delivery practices Ensure solutions align with modern development standards and agile delivery principles Technical Environment * Python * Django * REST APIs * CI/CD Pipelines * Automated Testing Frameworks * Agile Delivery Methodologies * Secure Software Engineering Practices * Cloud-Based and Integration-Focused Architectures Essential Skills & Experience * Strong commercial experience with Python and Django * Proven track record designing and delivering scalable backend systems * Strong understanding of software architecture and systems integration * Experience working within agile, multidisciplinary teams * Ability to build secure, production-ready software * Experience supporting and improving live services * Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills * Experience working within structured, regulated, or governance-heavy environments * Minimum 5+ years of software engineering experience (8–10+ years preferred) Desirable Experience * Experience working on large-scale digital transformation programmes * Public sector, defence, financial services, or other regulated industry experience * Experience working within secure or highly governed environments * Exposure to compliance, security, or business-critical systems Team & Environment You will join a collaborative programme team working across multiple agile delivery squads alongside Developers, Business Analysts, Designers, and User-Centred Design specialists. The environment promotes collaboration, engineering quality, continuous improvement, testing, documentation, and delivery excellence. Candidate Profile We're looking for a strong hands-on engineer with leadership capability and a T-shaped skillset—someone who combines deep technical expertise with broad systems awareness. You will be comfortable taking ownership, influencing technical direction, mentoring others, and delivering high-quality solutions within secure, high-profile programmes. Please note: Active SC Clearance is required for submission
