At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative software solutions in a secure environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on government projects with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a structured, governance-heavy environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in national security while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong Python and Django skills, plus experience in agile teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for Lead Software Engineers to work a 12-month contract with our client 40% on-site in any of five available locations in the UK.
This role is responsible for the design, development, delivery, and ongoing improvement of software solutions within a secure, government-focused environment. The successful candidate will contribute to building resilient, scalable, and user-centred services, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards relating to controlled goods and exports.
The position requires strong technical leadership, collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and ownership of both development and live service performance.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the design and delivery of scalable software solutions
- Translate user needs into technical outcomes
- Build secure, test-driven, high-quality code
- Support and maintain live services (performance & stability)
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (BA, UCD, Developers)
- Oversee development across multiple workstreams
- Drive continuous improvement of systems and processes
- Ensure integration across complex systems
Primary Stack: Python, Django
Backend-focused with full-stack awareness
Multiple user journeys (~27 Front End journeys)
Government Digital Service (GDS) aligned delivery
Total team: ~27 people
4 Agile squads (~7 per squad)
Typical squad includes: 3 × Senior Developers, Business Analyst, UCD Specialists (Content, Interaction, Design)
Agile delivery model
Daily stand-ups (~10am)
Ticket-based workflow
Collaborative problem-solving
Focus on: Clean code, Engineering standards, Testing & documentation
- Strong Python and Django experience
- Proven system design capability (end-to-end)
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to contribute to secure, structured environments
- Minimum 5+ years' experience (ideally 8-10 years)
- Python & Django technical expertise
- System design and architecture capability
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Experience with GDS standards
- Public sector or defence-related experience
- Exposure to secure or regulated environments
Defence/government environment (eg MOD, HMRC)
Focus on export control systems (weapons, aircraft, sensitive goods)
Security-focused work contributing to national interest
T-shaped skill set (deep technical + broad system awareness)
Strong delivery focus and efficiency
Comfortable taking ownership and leading within squads
Experience working in structured, governance-heavy environments
If you feel you have the skills and experience needed for this role; please do apply now.
Lead Software Engineer in Birmingham employer: Parker Shaw
As a Lead Software Engineer with us, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative work culture that prioritises innovation and continuous improvement. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our structured training programmes and opportunities to work on impactful projects within the government sector, ensuring your contributions are both meaningful and rewarding. With flexible working arrangements across multiple UK locations, we offer a supportive environment where your technical expertise can flourish while making a difference in national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at Parker Shaw who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at Parker Shaw!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at Parker Shaw to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Software Engineer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Parker Shaw!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Lead Software Engineer at Parker Shaw! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parker Shaw
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Parker Shaw uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Parker Shaw that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Parker Shaw, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
