At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead backend teams, design scalable applications, and deploy on Google Cloud Platform.
- Company: Globally recognised consulting organisation with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and potential for contract extension.
- Other info: Opportunity for hands-on engineering and career growth in a high-profile setting.
- Why this job: Shape cloud-native systems and lead technical teams in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership, Java expertise, and experience with Microservices and GCP.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Contract Duration: 6 months initial (with a strong view to extend)
Day Rate: Up to £500 per day (Inside IR35)
Location: Hybrid, 2 days a week onsite in Manchester
About the Opportunity
Norton Blake is currently partnering with a globally recognised consulting organisation to secure a highly skilled, hands-on Lead Java Backend Developer. In this role, you will be instrumental in designing, building, and deploying highly scalable, cloud-native enterprise applications.
We are looking for a true technical leader - someone who not only writes exceptionally clean, modern Java code but can also confidently lead agile squads, mentor peers, and communicate complex architectural decisions to senior stakeholders. If you are passionate about event-driven architecture and thrive in a fast-paced Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environment, this is an excellent opportunity for a long-term engagement.
What You Will Be Doing
- Technical Leadership: Lead and guide backend engineering teams, ensuring high standards of code quality, automated testing, and agile delivery.
- Architecture & Design: Spearhead the design and development of robust distributed systems and Microservices architecture.
- Event-Driven Engineering: Utilise Apache Kafka for complex messaging, asynchronous processing, and event-driven architecture.
- Cloud-Native Deployment: Build and deploy applications across GCP, leveraging its suite of cloud-native services, monitoring, and scaling tools.
- DevOps & Orchestration: Champion CI/CD best practices, managing containerised applications through Docker and Kubernetes to ensure seamless automated deployment pipelines.
What We Are Looking For
- Proven Leadership: Demonstrable experience leading, mentoring, and steering technical teams with exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Core Java Mastery: Deep, hands-on experience in enterprise application development using modern Java (versions 8, 11, 17, or newer).
- Microservices Expertise: Extensive background building and scaling Microservices utilising Spring Boot and RESTful APIs.
- Messaging Systems: Strong commercial experience with Apache Kafka for asynchronous data processing.
- Cloud & Containerisation: Commercial experience with GCP (Google Cloud Platform) alongside Docker and Kubernetes orchestration.
- CI/CD & DevOps: Proficiency with modern deployment pipelines (Git, Jenkins, or GitHub Actions).
- Database & Engineering Practices: Strong grasp of both SQL and NoSQL databases, Test-Driven Development (TDD), automated testing frameworks, and Agile/Scrum methodologies.
Why Join This Project?
This contract offers the perfect blend of hands-on technical engineering and team leadership. Operating within a high-profile consulting environment, you will have the autonomy to shape cloud-native systems using a modern, cutting-edge technology stack. With an initial 6-month term and a strong pipeline of ongoing project work, there is a high likelihood of extension for the right candidate.
Lead Java / GCP Backend Developer in Manchester employer: Norton Blake
As a leading player in the financial services sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment for Business Analysts in London, combining a hybrid model that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. We prioritise employee growth through continuous training and development opportunities, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation where your insights directly impact operational excellence. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values your expertise and supports your career aspirations in a thriving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Java / GCP Backend Developer in Manchester
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Norton Blake or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Norton Blake.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Norton Blake.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Norton Blake that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Java / GCP Backend Developer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Norton Blake.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Norton Blake and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Norton Blake
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Norton Blake uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
