Lead Back-End Software Developer

Lead Back-End Software Developer

Freelance Home office (partial)
Harnham

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead backend development and enhance core data systems in a dynamic gaming environment.
  • Company: A growing digital gaming organisation modernising their backend ecosystem.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working, and the chance to shape technical standards.
  • Other info: Opportunity for career growth and mentorship in a collaborative team.
  • Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment to make a real impact on innovative gaming platforms.
  • Qualifications: Strong skills in Node.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript; leadership experience preferred.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast‑moving engineering function at a pivotal moment of technical uplift. They are investing heavily in strengthening their core platforms and commercial data systems, creating a strong mandate for senior engineers to step in, lead, and make an immediate impact.

Company: They are a growing digital gaming organisation operating across multiple markets, currently modernising their backend ecosystem. With distributed teams across the UK and Europe, they are building scalable platforms that support a variety of customer‑facing and internal products. Engineering quality, strong technical leadership, and delivery excellence are central to their transformation. Contractors join at a time when technical ownership is expanding in‑house, creating real scope to shape systems and standards.

Backend Development Deliverables:

  • Lead backend development across a complex CMS and core data systems
  • Own key architectural decisions and unblock teams through strong technical leadership
  • Enhance the NextGen CMS, working on logic driven functionality and system evolution
  • Expand and support the Master Data platform that underpins wider services
  • Mentor engineers and drive engineering best practice across the backend team
  • Accelerate delivery by improving patterns, processes, and overall code quality

Commercial Data Manager Deliverables:

  • Lead development within the Commercial Data Manager, delivering new functionality and scaling existing services
  • Take full ownership of the HubSpot ecosystem, replacing agency support and bringing it in‑house
  • Implement new fields, features and data flows for commercial stakeholders
  • Maintain and evolve integrations across multiple services and data systems
  • Partner with architecture and engineering leadership on system design and improvements (Nice to have)
  • Drive smooth, reliable operation of CDM and HubSpot through clear technical ownership

Your Skills and Experience:

  • Strong capability in Node.js, JavaScript and TypeScript within complex backend environments
  • Confident designing scalable systems and making architectural decisions
  • Effective collaborator with product, delivery and commercial teams
  • Experience working in integration‑heavy or data‑rich environments
  • Proven leadership mindset with the ability to mentor, influence and drive standards
  • Practical cloud experience, ideally AWS, with good awareness of DevOps concepts

How to Apply: If you are a senior backend contractor ready to take technical ownership and deliver meaningful impact, please apply with your CV.

Lead Back-End Software Developer employer: Harnham

Join a dynamic digital gaming organisation in London, where innovation and technical excellence are at the forefront of our mission. As a Lead Back-End Software Developer, you'll thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises engineering quality and offers ample opportunities for professional growth. With a focus on modernising our backend systems, you'll have the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying the benefits of a flexible contract role outside IR35.

Harnham

Contact Details:

Harnham Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Back-End Software Developer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work in gaming or backend development. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your best projects, especially those involving Node.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've made architectural decisions and mentored others in past roles. We want to see your impact!

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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Back-End Software Developer

Node.js
JavaScript
TypeScript
Architectural Design
Scalable Systems Design
Integration Development
Cloud Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Node.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript. We want to see how you've tackled complex backend environments and made architectural decisions in your previous roles.

Showcase Leadership Skills:Since this role involves mentoring and driving engineering best practices, don’t forget to include examples of how you've led teams or influenced standards in your past positions. We love seeing that leadership mindset!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've worked in integration-heavy or data-rich environments, make it clear! We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so any relevant projects or achievements should be front and centre.

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’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape our backend systems!

How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in Node.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript. Brush up on your experience with complex backend environments and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've made architectural decisions or led teams.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your ability to mentor and influence others. Think of situations where you’ve driven engineering best practices or improved code quality, as this will resonate well with the company’s focus on strong technical leadership.

Understand Their Ecosystem

Familiarise yourself with the company's products and their backend systems. Knowing how they integrate services and manage data flows will help you demonstrate your understanding of their needs and how you can contribute to their transformation.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions about their current challenges and future goals, especially regarding their CMS and commercial data systems. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.