Software Engineering Lead - Python, C#, .NET
Posted Today by Matchtech
£82 Per hour
Outside
Onsite
Bristol
Summary: The role of Lead Software Engineer involves providing hands-on leadership for a high-priority software delivery programme within the Defence & Security sector. The position requires a self-starter capable of translating complex requirements into actionable deliverables while driving engineering teams towards successful outcomes. The contract is based in Bristol with a significant emphasis on technical delivery and stakeholder management. Candidates should possess a strong background in software engineering and leadership, particularly in secure environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own end-to-end technical delivery across the programme.
- Make time-critical delivery decisions in the absence of programme leadership.
- Break down high-level requirements into structured deliverables for engineering teams.
- Sequence work, set priorities, and maintain delivery plans.
- Act as escalation point for blockers, risks, and technical issues.
- Drive tangible progress across multiple engineering and platform workstreams.
- Brief senior leadership when required with concise, reliable updates.
- Set and communicate technical and delivery strategy aligned with design authority.
- Provide technical direction to software engineers, test engineers, and platform engineers.
- Align multidisciplinary teams toward a single, coherent execution plan.
- Take accountability for outcomes, not just inputs or activities.
- Regular engagement with Programme Lead & System Development Practice Lead.
- Chair or contribute heavily to planning sessions, triage meetings, and defect calls.
- Ensure work is understood, tracked, and flowing across teams.
- Fill operational gaps where roles are missing, unclear, or underperforming.
- Identify underperformance and capability gaps.
- Advise on hiring, replacement, and resourcing decisions.
- Provide support for team members under pressure.
Key Skills:
- Strong background as a Lead Software Engineer or Technical Delivery Lead.
- Ability to rapidly understand new technical problem spaces and system architectures.
- Experience guiding developers across multiple languages/frameworks (e.g., Python, C#, .NET).
- Strong understanding of secure software development and assurance.
- Experience with enterprise architecture, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices.
- Knowledge of cloud technologies and containerised environments (specifically RHEL environments running on physical hosts, and with containerised applications).
- Demonstrated ability to shape technical direction and deliver complex systems.
- Exposure to AI/ML development or model-based engineering.
- Experience working in high-assurance, secure environments.
- Multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure knowledge.
- Self-directed; able to operate with minimal oversight.
- Strong communicator able to interface clearly with engineers and executives.
- Calm under pressure; able to stabilise teams experiencing delivery stress.
- Pragmatic decision-maker able to prioritise delivery over perfection.
- Confident acting as the single point of accountability for technical delivery.
Salary (Rate): £81.75/hour
City: Bristol
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: on-site
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Mid-Level
Industry: IT
Location: Bristol (20% onsite)
Duration: 6 month contract
Rate: £81.75ph LTD (Outside IR35)
Role details:Our client, a prominent entity in the Defence & Security sector, is currently seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to provide hands-on leadership across a high-priority software delivery programme. Based in Bristol, this contract role requires a self-starter who can swiftly comprehend complex problem domains, translate requirements into actionable deliverables, and drive engineering teams to successful outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Delivery & Execution
- Own end-to-end technical delivery across the programme.
- Make time-critical delivery decisions in the absence of programme leadership.
- Break down high-level requirements into structured deliverables for engineering teams.
- Sequence work, set priorities, and maintain delivery plans.
- Act as escalation point for blockers, risks, and technical issues.
- Drive tangible progress across multiple engineering and platform workstreams.
- Brief senior leadership when required with concise, reliable updates.
- Leadership & Direction
- Set and communicate technical and delivery strategy aligned with design authority.
- Provide technical direction to software engineers, test engineers, and platform engineers.
- Align multidisciplinary teams toward a single, coherent execution plan.
- Take accountability for outcomes, not just inputs or activities.
- Stakeholder Management
- Regular engagement with Programme Lead & System Development Practice Lead
- Operational Management
- Chair or contribute heavily to planning sessions, triage meetings, and defect calls.
- Ensure work is understood, tracked, and flowing across teams.
- Fill operational gaps where roles are missing, unclear, or underperforming.
- People & Capability
- Identify underperformance and capability gaps.
- Advise on hiring, replacement, and resourcing decisions.
- Provide support for team members under pressure.
Job Requirements:
- Strong background as a Lead Software Engineer or Technical Delivery Lead.
- Ability to rapidly understand new technical problem spaces and system architectures.
- Experience guiding developers across multiple languages/frameworks (e.g., Python, C#, .NET).
- Strong understanding of secure software development and assurance.
- Experience with enterprise architecture, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices.
- Knowledge of cloud technologies and containerised environments (specifically RHEL environments running on physical hosts, and with containerised applications).
- Demonstrated ability to shape technical direction and deliver complex systems.
Desired Experience:
- Exposure to AI/ML development or model-based engineering.
- Experience working in high-assurance, secure environments.
- Multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure knowledge.
Soft Skills & Behaviours:
- Self-directed; able to operate with minimal oversight.
- Strong communicator able to interface clearly with engineers and executives.
- Calm under pressure; able to stabilise teams experiencing delivery stress.
- Pragmatic decision-maker able to prioritise delivery over perfection.
- Confident acting as the single point of accountability for technical delivery.
If you are an experienced software engineering leader who thrives in dynamic and high-pressure environments, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to make a significant impact with our client's pioneering projects in the Defence & Security sector.