Lead Software Engineer in London

We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer who will be responsible for the design, development, and deployment of high‑quality software solutions. This role involves leading a team of engineers on high‑profile projects, ensuring best practices are followed, and driving continuous improvement in software development processes.

You will collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams, including product management and UX/UI, to ensure that our software solutions meet business and customer needs.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the architecture, design, and development of complex software systems, ensuring they meet high standards of quality, security, and scalability.
• Managing and mentoring a team of software engineers, providing technical guidance to foster professional growth.
• Ensuring that coding standards, development best practices, and operational processes are consistently applied.
• Collaborating with product managers, UX/UI teams, and other departments such as DevOps, QA, and IT to translate business requirements into technical specifications and ensure smooth delivery.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to optimise performance, reliability, and security in software applications.
• Conducting regular code reviews and ensuring that feedback is constructive and promotes learning within the team.
• Implementing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines to streamline the development and deployment process.
• Troubleshooting and resolving complex technical issues that arise during the software development lifecycle.
• Staying up‑to‑date with the latest trends in software engineering, communicating complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders, and driving the adoption of new tools and methodologies where beneficial.
• Managing project timelines, ensuring that deliverables are completed on time and within scope.
• Contributing to bid questions & early‑stage hiring (e.g. CV screening or technical assessments) when required.

About You:

Professional knowledge and experience: guide and optimise team workflows and processes. Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of technical systems and tools. Identify and evaluate appropriate technologies and methodologies, making informed decisions about when custom software development is essential. Contribute to the developer community. Inquisitive about internal areas like bids and hiring. Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to your team. Promote knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice. Uphold best practices in areas such as Infrastructure as Code (IAC), security, testing, and continuous delivery pipelines. Flexibility to transition between programming languages with a clear understanding of their suitability for different tasks.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in full‑stack software engineering, including design, development, testing, and deployment.
• Hands‑on experience with Java, Spring Boot, Python and Microservices; a true polyglot is preferred.
• Strong understanding of software development methodologies such as Agile, TDD and DevOps.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or similar.
• Extensive experience writing well‑tested code.
• Good knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and infrastructure as code.
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks.
• Experience with various architecture patterns (e.g., microservices, event‑driven).
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Proven ability to manage and lead engineering teams to success.
• Expertise in designing scalable and secure software architectures.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of emerging technologies like AI.
• Previous, relevant experience as a senior software engineer leading a large multidisciplinary project.
• Line‑management experience.
• Experience interviewing and screening candidates.
• Experience responding to bid questions.

Skills:

• Software Architecture: Expertise in designing scalable, secure, and efficient software architectures, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Cloud Platforms: Strong proficiency in cloud technologies, including architecture and deployment strategies.
• Programming and Development: Advanced knowledge of multiple programming languages and frameworks (e.g., Python, Java, Node.js).
• CI/CD and Automation: Implementing and maintaining continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines to accelerate development cycles.
• Code Quality and Testing: Experience with automated testing frameworks (e.g., Jest, JUnit) and best practices for ensuring code quality.
• DevOps Practices: Expertise in DevOps, particularly around automating deployment, monitoring, and scaling applications.
• Communication: Able to confidently communicate with internal and external stakeholders at both the technical and non‑technical levels. Able to present and give feedback to relevant groups.

Behaviours and PACT values:

• Purpose: Be values‑driven, recognising that our client's needs are paramount. Approach client engagements with professionalism and creativity, balancing commercial and operational needs.
• Accountability: Be accountable for delivering your part of a project on time and under budget and working well with other leaders. Lead by example, promoting a culture where quality and client experience are foremost.
• Craft: Balance multiple priorities while leading high‑performing teams. Navigate ambiguity and set the technical direction and approach to support positive outcomes.
• Togetherness: Collaborate effectively with others across TPXimpact. Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients.

About Us: People‑powered transformation. We are a purpose‑driven organisation, supporting organisations to build a better future for people, places and the planet. Combining vast experience in the public, private and third sectors and expertise in human‑centred design, data, experience and technology, we are creating sustainable solutions ready for an ever‑evolving world. At the heart of TPXimpact, we are collaborative and empathetic. We are a team of passionate people who care deeply about the work we do and the impact we have in the world. We know that change happens through people, with people and for people. That is why we believe in people‑powered transformation. Working in close collaboration with our clients, we seek to understand their unique challenges, questioning assumptions and building in their teams the capabilities and confidence to continue learning, iterating and adapting. We are an inclusive employer, and we care about diversity in our teams. Let us know in your application if you have accessibility requirements during the interview.

Benefits: 30 days holiday