At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of secure software solutions using Python and Django.
- Company: Join a dynamic team supporting critical national services in a government programme.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and long-term contract opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a regulated environment with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on complex digital services while leading innovative teams.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software engineering with strong Python and Django skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are currently supporting a confidential central government programme in the search for an experienced Lead Software Engineer (Python, Django) to join a high-performing digital delivery team building secure, user-centred services within a GDS-aligned environment.
This is a hands-on technical leadership role suited to an experienced engineer who can operate across architecture, delivery, and live service support, while leading multidisciplinary agile squads to deliver complex, integrated systems.
You will be working in a regulated, security-focused domain supporting critical national services related to controlled goods and export systems.
The Role
- Lead the design, build, and delivery of scalable, secure software solutions
- Take ownership of end-to-end feature development across complex services
- Produce clean, secure, test-driven code using Python and Django
- Support live services, ensuring performance, resilience, and stability
- Collaborate closely with BAs, UCD specialists, and engineers in agile squads
- Drive system design, architecture decisions, and integration approaches
- Contribute to engineering standards and continuous improvement
- Help coordinate build and integration activities across multiple systems
About You
We are looking for someone who can operate confidently as both an engineer and technical leader, with:
- 8-10 years experience in software engineering (minimum 5+ essential)
- Strong hands-on experience with Python and Django
- Proven ability in end-to-end system design and architecture
- Experience leading or contributing significantly within agile teams
- Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Experience working in secure, structured or regulated environments
- A T-shaped profile - deep technical expertise with broad system awareness
Key Skills
- Python & Django development at senior/lead level
- System design and distributed architecture experience
- Agile delivery within multidisciplinary teams
- Experience supporting live production services
- Strong collaboration and technical leadership
Desirable Experience
- Government Digital Service (GDS) environments
- Public sector, defence, or other regulated domains
- Secure systems or compliance-heavy engineering environments
Additional Information
- Inside IR35 contract
- SC clearance will be required for onboarding
- Hybrid working model (40% onsite expectation)
- Long-term programme with complex, meaningful digital services
Lead Software Engineer in London employer: Solos Consultants
As a Lead Software Engineer with us, you'll be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to delivering secure, user-centred services that make a real impact on national security. Our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance, while our commitment to employee growth ensures you have access to continuous learning opportunities in a supportive environment. Join us in a role where your technical leadership will not only shape the future of digital services but also contribute to the greater good within a regulated and collaborative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Software Engineer in London
✨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 Solos Consultants 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 Solos Consultants!
✨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 Solos Consultants 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 London
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 Solos Consultants!
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 Solos Consultants! 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 Solos Consultants
✨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 Solos Consultants 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 Solos Consultants 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 Solos Consultants, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
