Lead Java Engineer

UK Home Office; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 16,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Flexible working options

25 days annual leave

Job summary

UK Home Office is seeking a Lead Java Engineer to head delivery for Critical National Infrastructure applications within the Migration and Borders Portfolio. The role requires steering Developers and DevOps staff, coordinating with Senior and Principal engineers, and guiding best-practice across cloud and CI/CD processes.

A solid technical background and strategic mindset are essential. You will collaborate with Architects and other professionals to align engineering approaches, plan roadmaps,

Qualifications

• Experience leading delivery-focused engineering teams (Senior/Lead roles).
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (AWS) and CI/CD practices.
• Hands-on with Kubernetes, Docker and Terraform in complex environments.
• Ability to translate complex designs for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Drive the technical delivery of the team and manage workload.
• Oversee Developers and DevOps staff and align with Senior/Principal engineers.
• Provide technical guidance and ensure best-practice adoption across cloud, CI/CD and FinOps.
• Plan with senior stakeholders to ensure product delivery and maintenance remain on a firm basis.
• Mentor colleagues to develop skills in line with strategy and team goals.

Tools

AWS

Kubernetes

Jenkins

Docker

Terraform

Github Actions

PostgreSQL

Microsoft SQL Server

MongoDB

OpenAI

Github Copilot

Claude Code

Job description

Location: Croydon | Glasgow | Sheffield | Salford | (hybrid)

Skills allowance of up to £17,668, pending assessment

Advert Close Date: 31st August 2026

Job summary

This role is for leading Critical National Infrastructure applications within Migration and Borders Portfolio.

The Lead Engineer will drive the technical delivery of their team, managing their workload and ensuring the right skills are available. You will be responsible for the work undertaken by your Developers and DevOps staff and will be expected to work with Seniors and Principals to ensure that services produced are best practice. You should have a solid technical background and will be able to apply these skills if required to provide guidance to your team. You will also maintain a broad perspective, monitoring technology developments such such that you can support strategy formation.

Along with the other Senior, Lead and Principal Engineers in your area you will be responsible for ensuring that all technical approaches being used are appropriate and endorsed, and will take part in planning with senior stakeholders to make sure that product delivery and maintenance is on a firm basis. Your remit may be across the engineering function but working closely with Architects and other professions.

Tools and Technologies we use:

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with strong experience in:

• Data: PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Mongo DB
• DevOps: AWS, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform, Github Actions
• AI: Github Copilot, OpenAI, Claude Code

As a Lead Java Engineer, you’ll have a demonstrable experience in:

• Managing multiple delivery focused teams with competing priorities and timelines, ensuring adherence to standards within the team. (PEMT)
• Working with senior stakeholders to provide operational support to the portfolio in pursuit of challenging ministerial and legislative deadlines. (DLMG)
• Providing technical expertise and best practice across cloud management, FinOps, and end‑to‑end CI/CD processes, with the capability to interpret complex system designs and communicate them effectively to both technical and non‑technical audiences. (PROG)
• Creating, executing, and delivering detailed roadmaps that include appropriate quality management and business capacity to ensure successful outcomes. (QUMG)
• Mentoring colleagues in developing skills and capabilities in line with strategy, team, and personal goals. (PDSV)

Why work for us...

Find out more information at: Benefits - Home Office Careers, but some of the primary ones are:

• A Civil Service Pension with employer contribution rates of £17,992 annually
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service.
• 8 days of public holidays, plus 1 additional privilege day.
• Flexi-time allowance and flexible working options

Plus so much MORE: https://careers.homeoffice.gov.uk/benefits