Technical Lead

Zaizi Ltd; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Loyalty pension

Group life assurance

Hybrid working

Study leave

Job summary

Zaizi Ltd is seeking an Engineering Lead to build and steer small, high-performing Agile teams in the UK National Security domain. You will architect and deliver innovative, secure software while managing stakeholder expectations in a regulated environment.

Expect hands-on technical leadership, cloud architecture (AWS/Azure), and a focus on data pipelines, LLMs, and security-first SDLC practices. Hybrid working with security-conscious delivery awaits.

Qualifications

• Experience in UK National Security environments (NatSec).
• Hold eDV clearance or equivalent is required.
• Proven coaching of junior engineers and teams.
• Familiarity with Cross-Domain Solutions and GDS standards is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead small, high-velocity engineering teams (4–8 people).
• Architect and deliver secure, scalable software solutions.
• Guide AI/data underpinning tech for RAG and LLMs in secure infra.
• Engage with UK Government stakeholders and ensure Secure by Design.

Skills

Team leadership

Architectural design

Python/Go/Java

AWS/Azure

CI/CD

Security by design

NatSec expertise

Tools

Terraform

Kubernetes

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Elasticsearch

Job description

About Zaizi

Zaizi is a digital consultancy specialising in delivering user-centred, secure, and scalable services for complex public sector challenges. We work in highly regulated environments, partnering closely with our clients to design and build modern digital platforms.

Job Role

We are seeking a high-caliber, entrepreneurial Engineering Lead to build and steer high-performing, multi-disciplinary Agile teams. You will be responsible for architecting and delivering innovative solutions to "hard" technical problems within the UK National Security (NatSec) domain. This role requires a blend of hands‑on technical excellence, strategic leadership of small engineering squads, and the ability to navigate the unique security and data challenges of the UK defense and intelligence landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Delivery: Lead and mentor small, high-velocity engineering teams (4–8 people). You will be responsible for fostering a culture of technical excellence, psychological safety, and rapid delivery using Agile/DevSecOps methodologies.
• Architectural Guidance: Serve as the Technical Authority for client projects, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and low-level implementation. You will design resilient, scalable architectures that account for the constraints of high-side/disconnected environments.
• AI & Data Engineering: Lead the implementation of the "underpinning tech" for AI, including data pipelines (ETL/ELT), vector databases for RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), and the deployment of LLMs/ML models within secure infrastructure.
• NatSec Stakeholder Management: Act as a trusted advisor to UK Government (HMG) stakeholders. You must understand the nuances of Policy and Assurance (e.g., JSP 440, IS1&2) and how to deliver "Secure by Design" software.

Strategy & Roadmapping: Work alongside client engineering communities to develop technical roadmaps that prioritize interoperability, data sovereignty, and the migration from legacy systems to modern cloud-native architectures (AWS/Azure).

• Essential: Software Engineering & Leadership
  • Languages: Expert-level proficiency in Python, GoLang, or Java; with strong TypeScript/Node.js for full-stack/service-layer delivery.
  • Cloud & Infrastructure: Hands‑on AWS or Azure architecture; mastery of Terraform (IaC), Kubernetes (EKS/AKS), and Container Orchestration.
  • Data Foundations: Deep knowledge of SQL (PostgreSQL) and NoSQL (MongoDB/DynamoDB) with an emphasis on data modeling for high-availability systems.
  • Engineering Rigour: Proven experience in CI/CD pipeline construction, TDD/BDD, and Micro‑services architecture within a GitLab/GitHub environment.
  • Security & National Security (NatSec): Solid understanding of "Secure by Design" principles, OAuth2/OIDC, and building for UK Sovereign Cloud or disconnected environments. Practical application of BDD/TDD and a "Security First" approach to the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Desirable: AI & Data Underpinnings
  • Vector Databases: Experience with high-dimensional data retrieval using Milvus, Weaviate, or Pinecone (essential for RAG architectures).
  • Data Orchestration: Familiarity with Airflow, Prefect, or Dagster for managing complex data movement and model training pipelines.
  • Search & Discovery: Advanced ElasticSearch/OpenSearch for semantic search and large‑scale indexing.
  • AI Frameworks: Exposure to LangChain, LlamaIndex, or Hugging Face libraries for integrating Large Language Models (LLMs) into production applications.
  • Model Ops (MLOps): Understanding the lifecycle of a model— from deployment and monitoring to versioning— using tools like MLflow or Kubeflow.

• Desired Experience & Context
  • UK NatSec Landscape: Proven experience working within the UK National Security community (e.g., MoD, Home Office, or Intelligence Agencies). Familiarity with the Service Manual, GDS standards, and the unique challenges of Cross-Domain Solutions (CDS).
  • Security Clearance: Applicants must hold eDV.
  • Coaching: A track record of developing junior and mid-level engineers into future technical leaders.

Compensation

• Competitive Pay: Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
• Loyalty Pension: We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a maximum of 8%.
• Protection: Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.

Purpose & Culture

• Real Impact: Work on mission-critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
• Autonomy: A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
• Service & Community: We support those who serve. 10 paid days for Reservist Military Service.

Work / Life Balance

• Time Off: 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
• Giving back: 2 paid volunteering days per year.

Development & Growth

• Master Your Craft: Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave.
• Expand Your Horizons: An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you—work-related or not.
• Support: Access to 1-2-1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.

Health & Balance

• Premium Health: Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
• Flexibility: Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.

• Wellbeing: Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.

For further information contact: [e-mail]

Nat Hinds: Head of Talent