Lead Software Engineer

Digital Catapult; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top Workplace

Disability Confident Employer

25 days leave

Pension 10%

Discretionary bonus

Benefits allowance 4%

E-Vehicle / Cycle to Work

Life insurance

Hybrid working

Learning & development

Social events

Job summary

Digital Catapult in Belfast is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to steer technical delivery across software projects, including digital twin environments for the UK Digital Twin Centre and AI assurance testbed platforms. You will design and build software hands-on and set the technical direction for the teams you lead.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with product, design, research and clients, own operations of platforms including monitoring and performance, and help grow the Belfast

Qualifications

• Proven technical leadership on complex multi-language projects.
• Strong backend experience in TypeScript/JavaScript and at least one other language (Python or Rust).
• Frontend experience with a modern framework (React).
• Experience with CI/CD, containers and cloud deployment (GitHub Actions, Docker, Kubernetes).

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery on a range of projects from rapid prototypes to production platforms.
• Design and build end-to-end software using TS/JS, Python, Docker, Kubernetes; manage infrastructure on Azure.
• Set architecture standards, code quality, security and testing for projects you lead.
• Mentor engineers and help grow the Belfast engineering team.
• Collaborate with product, design, research and client stakeholders to translate requirements into working software.
• Own platform operation including monitoring, troubleshooting and performance.

Skills

Technical leadership

TS/JS backend

Python or Rust

Frontend: React

CI/CD / containers

Cloud deployment

Collaboration across stakeholders

Generative AI interest

Tools

GitHub Actions

Docker

Kubernetes

Azure

Job description

We are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to join our Belfast office and lead technical delivery across Digital Catapult's software projects, from digital twin environments for the UK Digital Twin Centre to the platforms behind our AI assurance testbed programmes. You will design and build software hands‑on, set the technical direction on the projects you lead, mentor engineers and help grow our engineering presence in Belfast.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Duties)

• Lead technical delivery on a variety of projects, from rapid prototypes to production platforms.
• Design and build software end to end using TypeScript, Python, Docker, Kubernetes and infrastructure-as-code on Azure.
• Set the standard for architecture, code quality, security and testing on the projects you lead.
• Mentor engineers and help build our engineering team in Belfast.
• Work with product, design, research and client stakeholders to turn requirements into working software.
• Own the operation of the platforms you build, including monitoring, troubleshooting and performance.

Requirements

What we’re looking for (Experience)

• Technical leadership on complex, multi-language software projects.
• Strong backend engineering in TypeScript/JavaScript plus at least one other language such as Python or Rust.
• Frontend development with a modern framework such as React.
• CI/CD, containers and cloud deployment experience (for example GitHub Actions, Docker, Kubernetes).
• Comfortable collaborating with engineers, designers, researchers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Interest in using generative AI tooling well, and in emerging technologies such as digital twins.

Salary: c. £65,000-75,000 pa (subject to experience) + discretionary bonus + competitive benefits package

Deadline for applications: Monday October 26, 3 pm BST (we do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so you are encouraged to submit your application at the earliest opportunity)

Pre‑Employment Background Checking Process

Due to the nature of our work across government and public sector contracts, including working with sensitive information, all applicants will need to successfully complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance process prior to starting employment.

Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We recognise and value the advantages and opportunities that come with having people from diverse backgrounds working with us and it is our ambition to build an organisation which is representative and reflective of UK society.

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates, candidates from minority and underrepresented groups and from candidates with more or less experience, provided the requisite skills can be demonstrated.

As members of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Please do speak with us about adjustments that could support you through our interview process.

Digital Catapult is an equal opportunities employer.

Benefits

• We are in the UK's Top 100 Best Workplaces and placed in the UK's Best Workplaces in Tech and Large Organisations
• Digital Catapult is a Disability Confident Committed Level 1 Employer
• Excellent holiday package: 25 days annual leave, Bank Holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New Year:
• Double-matched pension up to 10% of your salary;
• Discretionary company bonus
• 4% of your salary to use towards selecting benefits that work for you, including health cash plan, Private Medical Insurance; buying holiday, topping up your pension;
• E-Vehicle Scheme; Cycle2Work; Tech Scheme; Gym Discounts; Give As you Earn; PerkPal;
• Life insurance 4x salary;
• Free to access EAP & Financial Wellbeing advice;
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave;
• Hybrid working - with great offices to work from 2 days per week with some roles needing to be onsite more regularly to ensure the successful delivery of our work;
• Investment in your ongoing learning and development with us;
• Company social events throughout the year and free office snacks!

We have a vibrant and engaging culture where all voices are heard and a variety of employee led affinity groups who champion initiatives and provide opportunities for feedback to be shared.

We use moments in the year to educate everyone at Digital Catapult on different aspects of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and to raise awareness.

We also enjoy socialising and having fun together through a variety of company-wide events held throughout the year including our football team, running and climbing groups and volunteering activities.