Lead Software Engineer - Outside IR35
8 days ago
Bristol
Lead Software Engineer — Mission‑Critical Delivery (Defence & Security) Contract | Bristol (Hybrid) | Outside IR35 | High‑priority programme Build software that actually matters. We’re delivering secure, high‑integrity platforms used across Defence & Security—systems where reliability, correctness and speed of delivery are non‑negotiable. If you’re a hands‑on leader who can turn complexity into shippable software and align multi‑disciplinary teams behind a clear plan, this is your arena. Why this role is different • Real authority: You’ll own end‑to‑end technical delivery across multiple workstreams—not just “influence” it., • High‑impact environment: What you build gets deployed and relied on, not shelved., • Hands‑on leadership: Lead by example in code, pipelines, and architecture—engineering first, PowerPoint second., • Calm in the storm: When the situation’s ambiguous or time‑critical, you set direction and move the needle., • Hybrid working: Bristol hub with pragmatic onsite time for planning, integration and secure build activities. The mission Own the technical delivery of a high‑priority software programme. You’ll translate complex requirements into a coherent execution plan, sequence the work, unblock delivery, and keep senior stakeholders aligned—while still rolling up your sleeves to steer architecture, code quality and platform decisions. What you’ll lead & deliver • Own the outcomes: End‑to‑end accountability for programme‑level technical delivery across multiple engineering and platform streams., • Decide at pace: Make time‑critical calls when leadership isn’t available—backed by data, risk awareness and sound engineering judgement., • Turn intent into code: Break down high‑level requirements into clear, testable deliverables that flow through teams without friction., • Plan & sequence: Maintain living delivery plans, set priorities, and coordinate cross‑team dependencies with ruthless clarity., • Unblock & de‑risk: Act as the escalation point for blockers, risks and technical issues; drive them to ground., • Communicate up & across: Brief senior leadership with concise, credible updates; align with design authority on technical & delivery strategy., • Engineer the platform: Provide direction to software, test and platform engineers; ensure DevSecOps, CI/CD and quality gates are baked in., • Stabilise & strengthen: Chair planning/triage/defect calls; ensure work is visible, tracked and flowing., • Build capability: Spot underperformance and capability gaps; advise on hiring, coaching and resourcing; support people under pressure. Tech you’ll encounter • Languages / frameworks: Python, C#, .NET (guiding multi‑language teams), • Secure SDLC / DevSecOps: CI/CD, IaC, code quality, SCA/DAST/SAST, supply‑chain controls, • Platforms: RHEL on physical hosts, containerised applications (Docker/Kubernetes/OpenShift), • Cloud & hybrid: Multi‑cloud/hybrid patterns, artefact registries, secrets management, observability, • Architecture: Distributed systems, API contracts, interface control, performance & resilience engineering, • Plus (nice‑to‑have): Exposure to AI/ML pipelines or model‑based engineering in secure contexts What you’ll bring • Proven background as a Lead Software Engineer / Technical Delivery Lead in high‑assurance environments., • Ability to grasp new problem spaces quickly and reason about complex systems and interfaces., • Track record guiding developers across multiple stacks and enforcing good engineering practice., • Deep familiarity with secure software development and assurance in regulated or classified settings., • Experience aligning software, test and platform towards one coherent plan with crisp acceptance criteria., • Excellent communicator—equally clear with engineers and execs., • Calm under pressure, pragmatic and delivery‑biased without sacrificing quality., • Comfortable as the single point of accountability for technical delivery. Location, clearance & ways of working • Bristol (Hybrid): Onsite presence for secure build, planning and integration; otherwise flexible., • Security: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) required (we’ll guide you through the process where applicable)., • Contract: High‑priority engagement with competitive day rate and extension potential based on impact.