Lead Backend Software Engineer Java AWS

client server; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global games software house in Manchester is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer to guide a high-performing team on exciting sports betting applications. The role involves balancing hands-on technical delivery with mentoring, fostering a developer-friendly environment. The ideal candidate will have strong Java, Spring, and AWS skills, as well as experience in Kafka, Docker, and Kubernetes. The position offers a salary up to £80k, personalized training, and various health and wellness perks, with a hybrid work model.

Benefits

Personalized training budget

Pension

Healthcare including dental and optical

Wellness experiences

Gym subsidy

Cycle to work scheme

Volunteer days

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong backend software engineering skills and experience.
• Proficient in Java, Spring, and AWS.
• Experience with Kafka for data streaming.
• Good knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes.
• Technical leadership, mentoring, and coaching experience.
• Collaborative and pragmatic communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Play a key role in guiding a high-performing development team.
• Oversee the full delivery lifecycle of sports betting applications.
• Promote engineering excellence and best practices.
• Create a developer-friendly environment for innovation.

Skills

Java

Spring

AWS

Kafka

Docker

Kubernetes

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Job description

Lead Backend Software Engineer / Developer Manchester / WFH to £80k

Are you a hands‑on technical leader with strong Java skills?

You could be working on complex and interesting systems using the latest technology within a diverse, supportive environment whilst enjoying a range of perks and continual learning opportunities at a global games software house.

As a Lead Backend Software Engineer you will play a key role in guiding and inspiring a small, high‑performing development team, working on real‑time sports betting applications. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on leader who enjoys balancing technical delivery with team development and collaboration, with approximately a 50/50 split between hands‑on architecture and coding and people management (coaching, mentoring).

Collaborating closely with the Product Owner, you'll oversee the full delivery lifecycle, ensuring that the product backlog is delivered efficiently and to a high standard. You'll promote engineering excellence, encouraging best practices and contributing to continuous improvement across both team and wider organisation. A central part of this role will be creating a developer‑friendly environment that allows individuals to focus, innovate and perform at their best.

Location / WFH :

You’ll join the team in Central Manchester three days a week with flexibility to work from home twice a week.

About you :

• You have strong backend software engineering skills and experience
• You have strong Java, Spring and AWS experience
• You also have experience with Kafka for data streaming
• You have a good knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes
• You have technical leadership, mentoring and coaching experience, you’re an advocate of software engineering best practices
• You’re collaborative and pragmatic with great communication and stakeholder management skills

What's in it for you :

• Salary to £80k
• Personalised training budget
• Pension
• Healthcare including dental and optical
• Various wellness experiences, gym subsidy, cycle to work scheme, volunteer days and much more
• Diverse, supportive environment with great career progression opportunities