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- Tasks: Lead a high-performing software development team in defence and security projects.
- Company: A growing tech consultancy focused on impactful engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of defence technology while leading talented engineers.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in software development and experience in leadership roles.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
A growing technology consultancy working in the defence and security sector is looking for a Software Development Lead to help shape and grow its engineering capability in Newcastle. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building high-performing teams, exploring new technologies, and solving complex technical challenges that have real-world impact.
Working closely with senior technical leadership, you will play a key role in shaping both the technical direction and engineering culture of the defence software development team.
The Role
- Lead the Defence software development team on-site in Newcastle, helping create an environment where talented engineers can thrive and deliver impactful work.
- Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing the defence software engineering team, working closely with senior technical leadership.
- Defining and maintaining engineering standards, best practices, and development processes.
- Shaping the technical direction of defence platforms and systems, ensuring the team stays current with emerging technologies and approaches.
- Supporting recruitment activities to identify, attract, and assess high-calibre engineering talent.
- Driving skills development and mentoring, identifying capability gaps and supporting learning pathways for developers.
- Acting as a senior technical authority, providing guidance on architecture and engineering approaches across projects.
- Building an engineering culture that values curiosity, quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborating closely with project leads and other team leaders to ensure engineering expertise is effectively aligned with project needs.
- Representing the engineering team in technical discussions, proposals, and client engagements where appropriate.
What Makes a Strong Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring deep technical experience combined with thoughtful leadership, alongside a genuine enthusiasm for solving challenging problems. You will likely have:
- 8+ years of software development experience, including experience leading engineering teams.
- Experience working in consulting environments or client-facing technical roles.
- Exposure to defence, security, or similarly complex technical sectors.
- Strong leadership capability with the flexibility to support teams across varied and evolving projects.
- Experience delivering data-intensive applications or platforms, with a focus on stability, scalability, and performance.
- Familiarity with AI engineering, cloud architectures, and modern DevOps practices.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with both engineers and senior stakeholders.
- A strong degree in Computer Science, STEM subject / Quantitative discipline from a leading university. We would consider a flex but must show a particularly strong level of experience and technical confidence.
- Current UK security clearance, or the willingness and eligibility to obtain it.
Why This Role
This role offers the chance to play a significant role in building a high-quality engineering team in the North East, working on technically challenging projects within the defence and security space. It would suit someone who enjoys leading talented engineers, exploring new ideas, and building robust software systems in complex environments.
Senior Engineering Manager employer: Kureos
Contact Detail:
Kureos Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Engineering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and security sector. Attend industry events or meetups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of projects or contributions to open-source software, make sure to highlight them. We love seeing real-world examples of your work, especially when it comes to complex technical challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in defence software development. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested and ready to discuss how you can contribute to shaping their engineering culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who are eager to lead and innovate in the tech space.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Engineering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise, and any relevant projects you've worked on in the defence or security sectors.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our engineering culture. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and tackled complex challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your technical abilities! Mention any experience with AI engineering, cloud architectures, or DevOps practices, as these are key for the role. We want to see how you can shape our technical direction.
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 your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kureos
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on the latest technologies relevant to the defence and security sector. Be prepared to discuss your experience with AI engineering, cloud architectures, and DevOps practices. This will show that you're not just a leader but also a hands-on technical authority.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Think about how you’ve built high-performing teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've mentored engineers, defined best practices, and fostered an engineering culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in complex environments. Prepare to discuss how you would handle specific challenges related to software development in the defence sector, showcasing your ability to think critically and lead effectively.
✨Engage with Senior Stakeholders
Since this role involves collaborating with project leads and senior technical leadership, practice articulating your ideas clearly and confidently. Show that you can engage effectively with both engineers and stakeholders, demonstrating your communication skills and strategic thinking.