Staff Engineer (Tech Lead)

Talent Locker; Warminster; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent Locker in Warminster, United Kingdom, is seeking a Staff Engineer (Tech Lead) to own technical direction on a major programme. This hybrid role combines hands-on software development with leadership across data, integrations and distributed systems.

UK nationals eligible for SC security clearance are required; you will mentor engineers and influence architecture while delivering cloud-connected applications and high-quality software.

Qualifications

• Experience with Java backend development
• Proficiency in SQL and database design
• Strong knowledge of RESTful APIs and event-driven architectures
• Familiarity with Angular or another modern frontend framework
• Experience with system integration and distributed systems
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
• Knowledge of cloud-based architectures
• Mentoring and leading engineering teams/initiatives

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical direction for a cross-functional engineering team.
• Design and build scalable backend services, APIs and full-stack features.
• Architect integrations with external platforms including ERP systems, data platforms and third-party services.
• Drive architectural decisions across data, integrations and distributed systems.
• Champion engineering excellence through code quality, testing, CI/CD and observability.
• Mentor Senior Engineers and develop the wider engineering capability.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineering Managers, designers and stakeholders to turn complex requirements into practical solutions.
• Remain hands-on in the code while balancing leadership responsibilities.

Skills

Java backend development

SQL

REST APIs

Angular

System integration

CI/CD

Cloud architectures

Technical mentoring

Architectural leadership

Job description

Staff Engineer (Tech Lead) – Warminster, Hybrid – Security Cleared – Up to £120,000

We're looking for an experienced Staff Engineer / Technical Lead who thrives on solving complex engineering challenges and wants to play a key role in delivering large-scale software solutions within a highly collaborative environment.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of technical direction across a major programme, working on modern, cloud‑connected applications that integrate with a wide range of platforms and services. You'll remain hands‑on with development while providing technical leadership, influencing architecture, mentoring engineers and shaping engineering best practice.

If you enjoy working where the answers haven't already been defined, this role offers the autonomy, technical challenge and impact to make a real difference.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the technical direction for a cross‑functional engineering team.
• Design and build scalable backend services, APIs and full‑stack features.
• Architect integrations with external platforms including ERP systems, data platforms and third‑party services.
• Drive architectural decisions across data, integrations and distributed systems.
• Champion engineering excellence through code quality, testing, CI/CD and observability.
• Mentor Senior Engineers and help develop the wider engineering capability.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Engineering Managers, designers and customer stakeholders to turn complex requirements into practical solutions.
• Remain hands‑on in the code while balancing technical leadership responsibilities.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an experienced software engineer operating at Senior or Staff Engineer level who enjoys both writing code and leading technical initiatives.

You'll ideally have experience with:

• Java backend development
• SQL and database design
• REST APIs and event‑driven architectures
• Angular or another modern front‑end framework
• System integration and distributed systems
• CI/CD pipelines and automated testing
• Cloud‑based architectures
• Technical mentoring and architectural leadership

About You

• Enjoys solving ambiguous technical problems.
• Leads through influence rather than authority.
• Communicates confidently with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Takes ownership from design through to production.
• Cares about maintainability, scalability and engineering quality.
• Enjoys helping other engineers grow.

Security Requirements

Due to the nature of the work, applicants must be UK Nationals and eligible to obtain SC Security Clearance. Candidates who already hold active SC Clearance are highly desirable.

If you're looking for a role where you'll influence architecture, mentor talented engineers and continue building high‑quality software, we'd love to hear from you.