Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer (Python, Django)

Inside IR35 | Up to £750/day (Umbrella) | 12-month contract
Hybrid – 40% onsite (London / Manchester / Birmingham / Cardiff / North East)
SC clearance will be required for onboarding

We are currently supporting a confidential central government programme in the search for an experienced Lead Software Engineer (Python, Django) to join a high-performing digital delivery team building secure, user-centred services within a GDS-aligned environment.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role suited to an experienced engineer who can operate across architecture, delivery, and live service support, while leading multidisciplinary agile squads to deliver complex, integrated systems.

You’ll be working in a regulated, security-focused domain supporting critical national services related to controlled goods and export systems.

The Role

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will:

• Lead the design, build, and delivery of scalable, secure software solutions
• Take ownership of end-to-end feature development across complex services
• Produce clean, secure, test-driven code using Python and Django
• Support live services, ensuring performance, resilience, and stability
• Collaborate closely with BAs, UCD specialists, and engineers in agile squads
• Drive system design, architecture decisions, and integration approaches
• Contribute to engineering standards and continuous improvement
• Help coordinate build and integration activities across multiple systems

About You

We’re looking for someone who can operate confidently as both an engineer and technical leader, with:

• 8–10 years’ experience in software engineering (minimum 5+ essential)
• Strong hands-on experience with Python and Django
• Proven ability in end-to-end system design and architecture
• Experience leading or contributing significantly within agile teams
• Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working in secure, structured or regulated environments
• A T-shaped profile — deep technical expertise with broad system awareness

Key Skills

• Python & Django development at senior/lead level
• System design and distributed architecture experience
• Agile delivery within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience supporting live production services
• Strong collaboration and technical leadership
• Desirable Experience
• Government Digital Service (GDS) environments
• Public sector, defence, or other regulated domains
• Secure systems or compliance-heavy engineering environments

Additional Information

• Inside IR35 contract
• SC clearance will be required for onboarding
• Hybrid working model (40% onsite expectation)
• Long-term programme with complex, meaningful digital services