Lead Java Software Engineer

Lead Java Engineer - Digital & Public Sector Transformation A growing digital consultancy delivering complex transformation programmes across the public sector is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to drive engineering delivery on high-profile, important projects. This is a senior leadership role combining hands-on engineering with team leadership, architecture ownership, and responsibility for driving engineering culture and best practice. Please note: Due to the nature of the work, candidates must either hold current SC Clearance or be eligible to obtain SC Clearance . The Role As a Lead Software Engineer, you will oversee the design, development, and delivery of scalable, secure digital solutions. You'll lead engineering teams, shape technical direction, and ensure high standards across all phases of the software lifecycle. You will work closely with product, design, and delivery teams to align technical solutions with user and business needs, while also playing a key role in mentoring, line management, and capability development. Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Architecture Lead the architecture, design, and development of complex software systems Ensure solutions meet high standards of scalability, security, and performance Set technical direction and guide engineering teams through delivery Apply modern architecture patterns such as microservices and event-driven design Team Leadership & Management Lead, mentor, and line manage a team of engineers Provide technical guidance and support professional development Foster a high-performing, collaborative engineering culture Lead by example in engineering best practice and delivery excellence Engineering Quality & Best Practice Ensure coding standards, testing approaches, and development practices are consistently applied Conduct code reviews and promote continuous improvement Drive adoption of modern engineering practices including TDD, DevOps, and automation Oversee implementation and optimisation of CI/CD pipelines Delivery & Collaboration Work closely with product managers, UX/UI, QA, DevOps, and wider stakeholders Translate business requirements into robust technical solutions Manage delivery timelines, ensuring work is delivered on time and within scope Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges Wider Contribution Contribute to early-stage project discussions and solution shaping Support recruitment activities including CV screening and technical assessments Contribute to bid and proposal responses when required Stay informed on emerging technologies and drive innovation where appropriate About You Essential Experience Extensive experience across the full software development lifecycle Strong hands-on background in Java, Spring Boot, Python, and microservices architectures Comfortable working as a polyglot engineer across multiple technologies Proven experience leading and managing engineering teams Strong understanding of Agile, DevOps, and TDD practices Experience designing and delivering scalable, secure software architectures Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP Familiarity with infrastructure as code and CI/CD pipelines Experience working with containerisation technologies (Docker, Kubernetes) Strong experience with automated testing frameworks and best practice Ability to communicate complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders Desirable Experience leading large, multidisciplinary delivery programmes Line management experience within engineering teams Exposure to AI or emerging technologies Experience within public sector or government environments Experience contributing to bids, hiring, or team growth Key Skills Software architecture and system design Cloud-native development and deployment strategies Advanced programming across multiple languages (e.g. Java, Python, JavaScript) CI/CD and automation practices Code quality, testing, and engineering standards DevOps and operational excellence Leadership, mentoring, and team development Stakeholder communication and engagement What You'll Bring A strong sense of accountability for delivery and outcomes A passion for engineering craft and continuous improvement The ability to lead through ambiguity and set technical direction A collaborative mindset, building strong relationships across teams and clients A focus on delivering high-quality, user-centred solutions in complex environments If you're looking for a role where you can combine hands-on engineering with leadership and strategic impact , while working on meaningful, large-scale programmes-this is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping modern digital delivery. Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason , please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you. TPBN1_UKTJ