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- Tasks: Lead the design and development of cutting-edge AI systems for defence and health.
- Company: Innovative UK tech company focused on mission-critical applications.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for mentorship and growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology while making a real-world impact.
- Qualifications: Strong Python skills, experience in backend development, and active SC clearance required.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Our client, an innovative UK technology company is building a next-generation AI platform for defence and health applications. Their systems operate in highly regulated, mission-critical environments where reliability, security, and performance truly matter.
We’re looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take technical ownership of key platform components, guide architectural decisions, and mentor engineers as we scale. This is a hands-on leadership role — you’ll be writing code, shaping systems, and directly influencing the future of the platform. This is a genuine ground-floor opportunity to shape both the technology and the engineering culture within a growing, mission-driven business.
What You’ll Be Working On
- Leading the design, development, and evolution of intelligent, distributed systems
- Architecting and building AI-driven capabilities, including:
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
- AI agents and orchestration workflows
- ElasticSearch, Weaviate, Pinecone, and other vector databases
What We’re Looking For
- Active SC clearance and British nationality (no dual nationality)
- Degree in Computer Science, AI, or a related field — or equivalent industry experience
- Strong background in Python or similar languages
- Significant experience with backend development, microservices, and distributed systems
- Hands-on experience with AI/ML systems, including LLMs, RAG, or vector databases
- Solid understanding of containerisation and orchestration (Docker / Kubernetes)
- Experience delivering secure, on-premise or regulated systems
- Proven ability to lead technically, mentor others, and take ownership of complex problems
- Experience in defence, government, healthcare, or other regulated domains
- Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure as code
- Exposure to data engineering, ETL pipelines, or high-volume data processing
- Experience working in SME or start-up environments, comfortable wearing multiple hats
- Hybrid working – 1 day per week onsite in either Winchester/Basingstoke
Lead Software Engineer in Basingstoke employer: iDPP
Contact Detail:
iDPP Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work in defence or health applications. A personal introduction can make all the difference when it comes to landing that Lead Software Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those involving Python, AI, or distributed systems. This hands-on evidence of your expertise will impress potential employers and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Ace the interview by being ready to discuss your technical leadership experience. Think about specific examples where you've mentored others or made architectural decisions. We want to see how you can shape the engineering culture at our client’s innovative company!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge technology in mission-critical environments.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Lead Software Engineer role. Highlight your background in Python, AI/ML systems, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative tech!
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 experience aligns with our mission-driven business. Don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you’ve mentored others in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your hands-on experience with backend development, microservices, and containerisation. We’re looking for someone who can take ownership of complex problems, so share specific examples of how you've done this before.
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, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at iDPP
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, FastAPI/Flask, and Docker/Kubernetes. Brush up on your knowledge of AI-driven capabilities and distributed systems, as you’ll likely be asked to discuss your experience with these during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this is a hands-on leadership role, be prepared to share examples of how you've mentored other engineers or led technical projects. Highlight specific instances where you took ownership of complex problems and how you guided your team through challenges.
✨Understand the Mission-Critical Environment
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges of working in regulated environments like defence and healthcare. Be ready to discuss how you ensure reliability, security, and performance in your past projects, as this will demonstrate your fit for the role.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
Think of insightful questions to ask your interviewers about their technology stack, engineering culture, and future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the company and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
