Lead Software Engineer- outside IR35
Posted Today by GCS
Negotiable
Outside
Hybrid
London, UK
Summary: The Lead Software Engineer (Backend) role focuses on leading the design and development of scalable, cloud-native services using JavaScript/TypeScript and AWS. The position requires hands-on coding, technical direction setting, and mentoring of engineers. The candidate will be responsible for building event-driven microservices and ensuring high standards in engineering practices. This is an outside IR35 contract based in London with a hybrid working arrangement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead Back End design and development (Node.js, TypeScript/JavaScript)
- Build and operate event-driven microservices using Kafka
- Own AWS-based delivery (scalability, performance, reliability, security)
- Drive engineering standards: code reviews, testing strategy, CI/CD, observability
- Partner with Product/Architecture to translate requirements into robust solutions
Key Skills:
- Strong commercial Back End experience with JavaScript/TypeScript (Node.js)
- Kafka experience (event-driven systems, distributed messaging)
- Strong AWS experience across modern cloud services
- Microservices/distributed systems design + production operations mindset
- Proven technical leadership (mentoring, guiding delivery, owning outcomes)
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: London
Country: UK
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: undetermined
Industry: IT
Detailed Description From Employer:
Lead Software Engineer (Backend)
JavaScript/TypeScript, AWS, Kafka
Outside IR35 Contract
My London based client is urgently looking for an experienced Lead Software Engineer with a strong Back End focus to lead the build and evolution of scalable, cloud-native services. You'll set technical direction, mentor engineers, and stay hands-on delivering production code.
What you'll do:
- Lead Back End design and development (Node.js, TypeScript/JavaScript)
- Build and operate event-driven microservices using Kafka
- Own AWS-based delivery (scalability, performance, reliability, security)
- Drive engineering standards: code reviews, testing strategy, CI/CD, observability
- Partner with Product/Architecture to translate requirements into robust solutions
Key skills:
- Strong commercial Back End experience with JavaScript/TypeScript (Node.js)
- Kafka experience (event-driven systems, distributed messaging)
- Strong AWS experience across modern cloud services
- Microservices/distributed systems design + production operations mindset
- Proven technical leadership (mentoring, guiding delivery, owning outcomes)
Nice to have:
- Containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes/ECS)
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/CloudFormation)
- Observability tooling (eg, CloudWatch/Datadog) and CI/CD (eg, GitHub Actions)
Contract details:
- Contract role (UK-based)
- Remote/hybrid - 2 days per month in the office
- Start: Monday start ASAP
If you're a hands-on lead who enjoys setting direction and getting into the code, please send your CV.
GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.
