Lead Software Engineer

Vital Human Resources; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment partner is seeking a Lead Software Engineer (Technical Lead) in the UK. This hybrid role involves leading teams to build and support core public services, transforming legacy systems into modern architectures. Candidates should have extensive experience in software engineering and cloud infrastructure and demonstrate strong leadership skills and strategic thinking.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in software engineering and cloud infrastructure.
• Proven experience in leading engineering teams with mentoring and best practices.
• Strong understanding of version control and secure design principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead agile teams developing digital products and capabilities.
• Ensure best practices in software engineering and secure development.
• Drive continuous improvement in service design and DevOps practices.

Skills

Modern software engineering

Team leadership and mentoring

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Collaboration skills

Tools

Java

Microservices

MongoDB

Kafka

AWS

Terraform

GitLab CI

Jenkins

Job description

Overview

Lead Software Engineer (Technical Lead) – Leeds, Manchester, or Newcastle | 60% Office-Based (Hybrid) | 12-Month Contract | Up to £750/day (Umbrella)

Make a Real Impact at a National Scale

Our client, one of the UK's most high-profile government departments, are looking for someone to help shape the future of a critical public service supporting millions across the country.

We're looking for an outstanding Lead Software Engineer (Technical Lead) to provide hands-on leadership to digital delivery teams building and supporting core citizen and agent-facing services. This is your chance to play a pivotal role in transforming monolithic legacy systems into scalable, modern microservice architectures, backed by a forward-looking tech strategy.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead agile teams developing digital products or shared platform capabilities.
• Shape and influence strategy while delivering hands-on engineering support.
• Ensure best practices in software engineering, version control, and secure development.
• Champion technical excellence and ensure alignment to engineering standards.
• Mentor and guide engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.
• Drive continuous improvement in service design, infrastructure, and DevOps practices.
• Present technical direction clearly to stakeholders and executive leadership.

What You'll Need

We\'re looking for someone who is technically strong and a natural leader. You\'ll need:

Essential Skills:

• Significant experience in modern software engineering (e.g. Java, microservices, Hexagonal architecture, MongoDB, Kafka) or cloud/DevOps infrastructure (e.g. AWS, Terraform, GitLab CI, Jenkins).
• Proven experience leading engineering teams, including mentoring, code reviews, and setting best practices.
• Strong understanding of engineering assurance, version control, and secure design principles.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary environments, engaging stakeholders and managing competing priorities.
• Strong communication, strategic thinking, and collaboration skills.

Desirable:

• Background in government or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with Agile, DevOps, CI/CD pipelines.
• Exposure to user-centred design, modern digital delivery practices, and scalable cloud-native architectures.

How to Apply

Ready to make a strategic impact?

FOR A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT PLEASE APPLY

The partnering concept promoted by Vital means that we work together with candidates and clients to achieve your career and recruitment objectives. For clients the result is cost effective, culture-compatible solutions that make staff selection, recruitment and retention far easier.

For candidates it means a personal and professional relationship that will help you through every stage of obtaining your ideal job and pursuing your career goals.

Our commitment to both candidates and clients is equalled only by our professionalism and dedication to providing the best possible service.