At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative software solutions in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Instem, a leader in life sciences technology with a global impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, comprehensive healthcare, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams across the globe and shape the future of life sciences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in drug discovery while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong Java engineering skills and experience in technical leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Location: Stone, Staffordshire (Hybrid working, 2 days a week in our Stone Office)
Status: Permanent
Package: Competitive Salary, Flexible Working, Development & Opportunity (Personal & Technical), Private Medical (Optical & Dental options), Matching Contributory Pension, 25 Days Leave + Public Holidays + Buy and Sell Scheme, Life Insurance, Referral Scheme, Employee Assistance Program, Benefits Hub.
At Instem, you’ll empower pharmaceutical companies, CROs, government agencies, academic institutions, by providing cutting-edge SaaS solutions and consultancy services designed to help researchers make discoveries, and to accelerate and advance their research programs. You’ll work with technology that supports over 50% of global drug discovery and is trusted by leading pharmaceutical, biotech and CRO organisations worldwide.
Our Culture & Work Environment: You’ll be part of a friendly, solutions-focused environment within a global business of over 400 people. Here, you’ll experience a high-performance culture balanced with genuine flexibility - we trust you to take ownership, deliver meaningful results, and work in a way that suits you. You’ll be encouraged to grow, share your ideas, and make a real impact. We’re passionate about creating a place where you can develop your skills, contribute confidently, and succeed in your career.
Why Join us as a Lead Development Engineer? You’ll work as part of a dynamic, diverse team with colleagues across Asia, Europe, and North America. In this role, you will take full ownership of maintenance, stability, and ongoing enhancement. You will also play a key role in shaping engineering culture, enabling others to lead, and building a healthy, reflective, and high-performing team.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Lead technical decision making of design of robust, scalable, and maintainable software solutions within your product team
- Guide the delivery of complex product-scale requirements into robust, scalable solutions
- Champion and help define technical standards, architectural patterns, and design practices
- Provide effective mentorship and coaching to engineers at all levels, supporting their technical and professional growth
- Support architectural alignment within your function and contribute to cross-team technical discussions
- Facilitate effective agile ceremonies and collaborative working practices within your team by modelling pro-social, professional, and collaborative behaviour
- Represent your team in wider engineering and product forums
- Contribute to and take accountability for the maintenance of high-quality technical documentation of your team’s work
- Proactively address and escalate technical risks, blockers, and opportunities for improvement
- Build effective relationships with stakeholders across Product, Design, and Engineering
- Stay current with industry trends and drive adoption of relevant technologies
- Adhere to the company’s Quality and Information Security Management systems to ensure that all work is handled securely, professionally, and diligently
What We’re Looking For: You’ll bring curiosity, initiative, and a forward-thinking mindset. This role does require an individual with strong Java desktop engineering capability.
- Strong design and architectural skills, with experience shaping systems and guiding delivery
- Significant experience in software development with a proven track record of technical leadership
- Expertise with current development tools, best practices, and version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Extensive experience working within agile development, iterative delivery, and cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated ability to effectively mentor others and support the growth of a development team
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and positively influence technical direction
Desirable:
- Domain knowledge of scientific data and common data types/standards used in scientific workflows
- Ability to translate scientific feature requests into robust, scalable software solutions, working closely with scientific stakeholders
- Experience or familiarity with cheminformatics and/or toxicology data, including scientific terminology and “scientist-to-engineer” translation skills
What We Offer: We invest in you because you’re at the heart of our success. Depending on your location, you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including:
- Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, dental, vision, life, and more)
- Comprehensive wellbeing and support initiatives
- Clear career pathways to support you with getting to the next level
- Pro-rated and immediate vacation days
- Continuous training and development
- Generous retirement plans
Ready to Make a Difference? Join a team that values your perspective and supports your growth, while helping shape the future of life sciences. Apply now - we’d love to hear from you, and our Talent team will be in touch.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Lead Development Engineer employer: Instem
At Instem, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Stone, Staffordshire. With a strong focus on employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, we empower our team to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in the life sciences industry. Join us to be part of a collaborative culture that values innovation, mentorship, and meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Development Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Instem on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. Personal connections can give you an edge!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Instem's products and services. Understand how your skills as a Lead Development Engineer can contribute to their mission in the life sciences industry. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who truly gets what they do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical skills and be ready to showcase them during the interview. You might be asked to solve problems on the spot or discuss your past projects. Make sure you can clearly explain your thought process and decisions!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Development Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Development Engineer role. Highlight your experience with Java desktop engineering and any relevant technical leadership you've done. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the life sciences industry and how you can contribute to our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through – we love that!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your technical skills and experience with agile development. Mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others. We’re all about collaboration here!
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Instem!
How to prepare for a job interview at Instem
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Lead Development Engineer, you'll need to showcase your strong Java desktop engineering skills. Brush up on your knowledge of design and architectural patterns, and be ready to discuss how you've shaped systems in the past. Prepare examples that highlight your technical leadership and problem-solving abilities.
✨Showcase Your Mentorship Skills
This role involves mentoring and coaching engineers at all levels. Think about specific instances where you've guided others or contributed to their growth. Be prepared to share your approach to fostering a collaborative environment and how you’ve helped teams achieve their goals.
✨Understand Agile Practices
Since the company values agile development, make sure you can discuss your experience with iterative delivery and cross-functional teams. Familiarise yourself with agile ceremonies and be ready to explain how you've facilitated effective collaboration in previous roles.
✨Connect with the Company’s Mission
Instem is focused on empowering researchers in the life sciences. Research their SaaS solutions and think about how your skills can contribute to their mission. Be ready to discuss how you can help advance their research programmes and align your personal goals with the company's vision.
