Lead Software Developer

Amber Labs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Medical Insurance (Aviva)

25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays

Perkbox – global employee rewards

Generous employee referral scheme

Choose your preferred working device – Mac or PC

Job summary

A digital consultancy is seeking a Lead Software Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract working remotely. The ideal candidate will have Node.js expertise, central government project experience, and strong leadership skills to guide a development team. You will be responsible for all aspects of software development, ensuring compliance with GDS standards and mentoring junior developers. This role offers the chance to contribute significantly to public-sector digital services and work in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or mentoring development teams.
• Solid Node.js coding expertise.
• Eligible for BPSS clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of software developers.
• Maintain a hands-on approach to software development.
• Ensure compliance with GDS standards in projects.
• Contribute to architecture and design decisions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Skills

Node.js coding

Leadership

Agile methodologies

Central government project experience

Cloud platforms (AWS preferred)

Microservice architectures

Understanding of GDS service standards

Job description

Direct message the job poster from Amber Labs

Type: 12-Month Fixed Term Contract (FTC)

Clearance Requirement: BPSS eligibility essential (we cannot sponsor)

About Amber Labs

Amber Labs is a cutting-edge digital consultancy specialising in data, cloud, and software engineering solutions for high-impact projects. We partner with organisations to deliver secure, modern, and user-centred digital services. Our culture is collaborative, innovative, and focused on technical excellence.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Software Developer for a 12-month fixed-term contract, working fully remote. This is a hands-on role that also requires strong leadership capabilities to guide a development team delivering complex central-government digital services.

The ideal candidate will have solid central government project experience, extensive Node.js coding expertise, and a proven ability to lead, mentor, and influence technical teams while remaining actively involved in day-to-day development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support a team of software developers, ensuring high-quality delivery and adherence to engineering best practices.
• Maintain a hands‑on approach to software development, primarily using Node.js.
• Contribute to architecture, design decisions, and technical planning, ensuring alignment with client needs and modern engineering standards.
• Work closely with product owners, architects, and central government stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with GDS (Government Digital Service) standards, including security, performance, and accessibility.
• Participate in sprint ceremonies, estimations, and Agile delivery processes.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, technical excellence, and knowledge sharing.
• Strong, hands‑on Node.js coding experience.
• Demonstrable experience leading or mentoring development teams.
• Eligible for BPSS clearance.
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering practices: CI/CD, automated testing, APIs, cloud‑native development.
• Comfortable working within Agile, multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
• Knowledge of microservice architectures.
• Understanding of GDS service standards and GOV.UK design patterns.
• Experience working within consultancy or client‑facing environments.

What We Offer

• Fully remote working.
• Opportunities to work on meaningful public‑sector and government services.
• A supportive environment that values innovation, professional growth, and modern engineering practices.

Why Amber Labs?

At Amber Labs, we pride ourselves on a culture of learning, innovation, and collaboration. You’ll join a diverse, supportive team delivering meaningful outcomes across UK Government digital transformation programmes.

Apply now and become part of Amber Labs’ growing engineering community.

Why Join Us?

• Join a fast‑growing consultancy delivering high‑impact public‑sector technology
• Develop skills across cloud engineering, secure development, automation, and large‑scale transformations
• Private Medical Insurance (Aviva)
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Perkbox – global employee rewards and wellbeing platform
• Generous employee referral scheme
• Supportive, inclusive environment encouraging innovation and growth
• Choose your preferred working device – Mac or PC

Diversity & Inclusion at Amber Labs

At Amber Labs, diversity fuels innovation. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and respected.

We:

• Welcome a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
• Promote equality and inclusion across all teams
• Maintain a workplace free from discrimination, bullying, and harassment
• We cannot accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship
• BPSS eligibility is required before starting
• Applicants must be based in the UK and able to travel occasionally to Manchester

What Happens Next?

After reviewing your application, our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to outline next steps. The process typically includes two interview stages, with a possible third involving our company Partners if required.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Information Technology

Industries

IT Services and IT Consulting