Lead Backend Software Engineer Java Kafka

Client Server; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A scale-up technology company in London is seeking a Lead Backend Software Engineer specializing in Java and Kafka. This senior role involves designing secure backend systems and mentoring junior engineers, offering a competitive salary up to £120k with the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Candidates must have SC Clearance or eligibility and experience in high-throughput, event-driven architectures.

Benefits

Hybrid working with only one day a week in the London office

Excellent career progression

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a backend-focused Java software engineer with leadership responsibilities.
• Experience working within security-conscious, regulated, or mission-critical domains.
• Proficient with CI/CD pipelines and containerized environments.

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing secure, event-driven backend systems.
• Collaborating with full-stack engineers for backend service integration.
• Mentoring team members to ensure code quality and architecture.

Skills

Java

Spring Boot

Kafka

Leadership

CI/CD

Infrastructure-as-Code

Microservices

Job description

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Lead Backend Software Engineer Java Kafka, London

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Client:

Client Server

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

5bae6409b134

Job Views:

4

Posted:

29.06.2025

Expiry Date:

13.08.2025

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Job Description:

Lead Backend Software Engineer / Developer (Java Kafka SpringBoot) London / WFH to £120k

Are you a skilled Backend Software Engineer with strong Java and real-time messaging experience combined with SC Clearance?

You could be progressing your career in a senior, hands-on Lead Backend Software Engineer position at a scale-up technology company with a successful workforce management solution used within the government, defence and other public sector clients.

As a Lead Backend Software Engineer you will take a lead role in designing and developing secure, event driven, distributed backend systems for real-time operations, resilience and extensibility. You'll collaborate with engineers across the full stack to integrate backend services with Identity and Access control frameworks such as Keycloak, apply observability best practices and contribute to system architecture and codebase quality through reviews and mentoring.

Location / WFH:

You can work from home most of the time, meeting up with colleagues in the London office once a week.

About you:

• You have significant experience as a backend focussed Java software engineering with leadership responsibilities
• You have strong Spring Boot, Kafka and event driven microservices experience with high throughput
• You have leadership, mentoring and coaching skills
• You have a strong understanding of system-level concerns: observability, availability, resilience
• You have experience working within security-conscious, regulated, or mission-critical domains
• You are proficient working with CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure-as-Code principles and containerised environments
• Please note: You must have SC Clearance (or ability to achieve it - i.e. you must be a British citizen with the past 5 years continually based in the UK) and be DBS checked due to the nature of the project / client

What's in it for you:

As a Lead Backend Software Engineer you will receive a competitive package:

• Salary to £120k
• Hybrid working with only one day a week in London office
• Impactful role with excellent career progression

Apply now to find out more about this Lead Backend Software Engineer / Developer (Java Kafka SpringBoot) opportunity.

At Client Server we believe in a diverse workplace that allows people to play to their strengths and continually learn. We're an equal opportunities employer whose people come from all walks of life and will never discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The clients we work with share our values.