Lead Software Engineer
Posted Today by Synergize Consulting
£78 Per hour
Outside
Hybrid
England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Lead Software Engineer role involves providing hands-on leadership for a high-priority software delivery programme within a leading Defence company. The position requires a self-starter capable of translating complex requirements into actionable plans while driving engineering teams towards successful outcomes. The role combines technical leadership, delivery ownership, and stakeholder engagement, making it suitable for candidates with experience in fast-paced environments. SC eligibility is essential, with SC clearance being desirable.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end technical delivery across the programme
- Make time-critical delivery decisions when required
- Act as the escalation point for blockers, risks, and technical issues
- Set and communicate technical and delivery strategy aligned to overall programme objectives
- Provide technical direction to software, test, and platform engineering teams
- Align multidisciplinary teams behind a single, coherent execution plan
- Lead or contribute heavily to planning sessions, triage meetings, and defect calls
- Ensure work is clearly understood, tracked, and progressing across teams
- Support hiring, replacement, and resourcing decisions
- Provide support and leadership to team members working under pressure
Key Skills:
- Strong background as a Lead Software Engineer or Technical Delivery Lead
- Experience leading developers across multiple languages and frameworks, such as Python, C#, and .NET
- Strong understanding of secure software development and assurance practices
- Experience with enterprise architecture, CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps
- Demonstrated ability to shape technical direction and deliver complex systems
- Exposure to AI/ML development or model-based engineering (desirable)
- Experience working in high-assurance, secure environments (desirable)
- Knowledge of multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure (desirable)
Salary (Rate): £78.00/hr
City: undetermined
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: IT
Lead Software Engineer
Hybrid remote working
SC Eligibility is essential (SC clearance would be desirable)
Up to £78 p/h
Outside IR35
A Leading Defence prime with offices around the U.K are looking for a Lead Software Engineer to provide hands-on leadership across a high-priority software delivery programme. This is a senior contract role suited to a self-starter who can quickly understand complex problem domains, translate requirements into actionable delivery plans, and drive engineering teams to successful outcomes. You will act as the technical and delivery focal point across multiple workstreams, ensuring work is properly sequenced, risks are actively managed, blockers are removed, and the programme maintains momentum. This opportunity combines technical leadership, delivery ownership, and stakeholder engagement, making it ideal for someone who has successfully led engineering teams in fast-moving, high-pressure environments.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong background as a Lead Software Engineer or Technical Delivery Lead
- Experience leading developers across multiple languages and frameworks, such as Python, C#, and .NET
- Strong understanding of secure software development and assurance practices
- Experience with enterprise architecture, CI/CD pipelines, and DevSecOps
- Demonstrated ability to shape technical direction and deliver complex systems
Desirable Experience
- Exposure to AI/ML development or model-based engineering
- Experience working in high-assurance, secure environments
- Knowledge of multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure
Key Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end technical delivery across the programme
- Make time-critical delivery decisions when required
- Act as the escalation point for blockers, risks, and technical issues
- Set and communicate technical and delivery strategy aligned to overall programme objectives
- Provide technical direction to software, test, and platform engineering teams
- Align multidisciplinary teams behind a single, coherent execution plan
- Lead or contribute heavily to planning sessions, triage meetings, and defect calls
- Ensure work is clearly understood, tracked, and progressing across teams
- Support hiring, replacement, and resourcing decisions
- Provide support and leadership to team members working under pressure