Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer in EC1

Job Description

Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer (Python & Django)\n\nContract Length: 12 Months\n\nRate: Up to £750 per day (Umbrella)\n\nIR35 Status: Inside IR35\n\nClearance Required: Active SC Clearance\n\nWorking Pattern: Hybrid – 2 days per week onsite\n\nLocations\n\nLondon\n\nManchester\n\nBirmingham\n\nCardiff\n\nDarlington\n\nThe Opportunity\n\nWe are seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer with strong Python and Django expertise to join a major digital transformation programme operating within a secure and highly regulated environment.\n\nThis is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the design, development, and delivery of secure, scalable digital services supporting business-critical systems. Working within a modern agile delivery environment, you will play a key role in shaping technical solutions, leading engineering activities, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.\n\nThe successful candidate will be a hands-on technical leader with a passion for engineering excellence, modern software development practices, and delivering high-quality digital services.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n\nLead the design and development of scalable software solutions using Python and Django\n\nTranslate user and business requirements into secure, reliable technical solutions\n\nDevelop clean, maintainable, and test-driven code\n\nDesign systems with security, resilience, and performance at their core\n\nSupport, maintain, and enhance live production services\n\nProvide technical leadership across multiple workstreams and integrations\n\nCollaborate with Developers, Business Analysts, Designers, and UCD specialists\n\nReview technical designs and ensure adherence to engineering standards and best practices\n\nTroubleshoot and resolve complex technical challenges\n\nDrive continuous improvement in engineering processes and delivery practices\n\nEnsure solutions align with modern development standards and agile delivery principles\n\nTechnical Environment\n\n * Python\n\n * Django\n\n * REST APIs\n\n * CI/CD Pipelines\n\n * Automated Testing Frameworks\n\n * Agile Delivery Methodologies\n\n * Secure Software Engineering Practices\n\n * Cloud-Based and Integration-Focused Architectures\n\nEssential Skills & Experience\n\n * Strong commercial experience with Python and Django\n\n * Proven track record designing and delivering scalable backend systems\n\n * Strong understanding of software architecture and systems integration\n\n * Experience working within agile, multidisciplinary teams\n\n * Ability to build secure, production-ready software\n\n * Experience supporting and improving live services\n\n * Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills\n\n * Experience working within structured, regulated, or governance-heavy environments\n\n * Minimum 5+ years of software engineering experience (8–10+ years )\n\nDesirable Experience\n\n * Experience working on large-scale digital transformation programmes\n\n * Public sector, defence, financial services, or other regulated industry experience\n\n * Experience working within secure or highly governed environments\n\n * Exposure to compliance, security, or business-critical systems\n\nTeam & Environment\n\nYou will join a collaborative programme team working across multiple agile delivery squads alongside Developers, Business Analysts, Designers, and User-Centred Design specialists.\n\nThe environment promotes collaboration, engineering quality, continuous improvement, testing, documentation, and delivery excellence.\n\nCandidate Profile\n\nWe're looking for a strong hands-on engineer with leadership capability and a T-shaped skillset—someone who combines deep technical expertise with broad systems awareness.\n\nYou will be comfortable taking ownership, influencing technical direction, mentoring others, and delivering high-quality solutions within secure, high-profile programmes.\n\nPlease note: Active SC Clearance is required for submission