Lead Java Engineer

Manchester Digital; Salford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester Digital in Salford is seeking a Lead Engineer to drive the technical delivery of Critical National Infrastructure applications within the Migration and Borders Portfolio. You will lead Developers and DevOps, balancing hands-on work with strategy and mentoring to ensure best practices across the team.

The role requires a solid technical background with experience in Java and React, and proficiency with AWS, Kubernetes, Jenkins, Docker, Terraform, and GitHub Actions.

Qualifications

• Experience leading engineering teams with hands-on delivery.
• Solid technical background and ability to guide senior engineers.
• Experience with Critical National Infrastructure or similar complex platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day activities of engineers in your team, removing impediments.
• Coach and develop CPD and formal qualifications within the team.
• Support capability building across the organisation.
• Take a hands-on role in engineering delivery when needed to achieve objectives.
• Ensure appropriate methods and identify opportunities to improve tools/technologies.
• Lead Java and React software development within teams.

Skills

Java

React

Software development

Leadership

DevOps

Tools

PostgreSQL

Microsoft SQL Server

MongoDB

AWS

Kubernetes

Jenkins

Docker

Terraform

Github Actions

Github Copilot

OpenAI

Claude Code

Job description

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,managingtheir workload and ensuring the right skills are available. You willbe responsible forthe work undertaken by your Developers and DevOpsstaff andwill 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 alsomaintaina broad perspective, monitoringtechnologydevelopments such that you can support strategy formation.

Along with the other Senior, Lead and PrincipalEngineers in your area you willbe responsible forensuring that all technical approaches being used areappropriateandendorsed, andwill 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 functionbut working closely with Architects and other professions.

Tools and Technologies we use:

We would particularly welcomeapplications from candidates with strong experience in:

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

Main Responsibilities

Yourmainday-to-day responsibilities will be:

• Leading theday to dayactivities of engineers in your team, ensuring everyone is working effectively and efficiently;reporting any impediments.
• Coaching your team as well as Supporting Continuous ProfessionalDevelopment (CPD) and encouraging formal professional qualifications.
• Supporting capability build in yourteam and in the organisation.
• Taking a hands-on role with engineering delivery when necessary, blending your leadership and technical tasks to achieve teamobjectives.
• Ensuring appropriate methods are being used, as well as leading efforts to identify improved tools/technologies.
• Leadership of the Java and React softwaredevelopment in teams.