Lead Software Engineer - Outside IR35

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.