POD Lead (Kotlin/Java)

Job Overview: We are hiring a POD Lead (Kotlin/Java) to provide day-to-day technical leadership within an agile engineering team, working closely with the Tech Lead to deliver high-quality outcomes at pace. This is a hands-on role involving backend development, microservices, API design, team mentoring, backlog refinement, and end-to-end ownership of delivery, including resolving blockers and prioritisation.* Location: Sheffield (Hybrid - 3 days on-site mandatory) * Daily Rate: £525 per day (Inside IR 35) * Contract Length: 6 months * Start Date: ASAP Key Responsibilities:* Provide day-to-day technical leadership for an agile engineering team, support the Tech Lead, own end-to-end delivery including resolving blockers and prioritisation, and proactively engage with customers/users to resolve issues and reduce operational pain. * Lead backlog refinement (break epics/features into user stories, define acceptance criteria, identify dependencies) and support sprint planning by shaping technical approaches, identifying spikes, and helping estimation. * Design, develop and implement backend features using Kotlin/Java APIs and services, with a small element of UI work using a simple HTML/JavaScript framework. * Build and evolve microservices, REST APIs and event-driven solutions (Kafka or similar), applying engineering best practices such as error handling, logging, resilience and security-by-design. * Collaborate with the Tech Lead on architecture and design decisions, document trade-offs, and design/build end-to-end in-house solutions from ideation through development, testing and ongoing support. * Drive engineering excellence by coaching the team on clean code, TDD, secure coding, maintainable design, leading peer reviews and ensuring strong quality standards. *Work within an agile CI/CD environment with automation and quality gates, collaborate with developers/testers/stakeholders, and troubleshoot production issues with strong analytical skills.Key Requirements:* Strong Kotlin experience or significant Java experience with willingness to learn Kotlin, along with strong expertise in microservices, REST APIs, SQL/databases, and event-driven architectures such as Kafka. * Experience as a Senior/Lead Engineer in an agile delivery team with proven ability to refine and decompose work, manage dependencies, remove blockers, and support sprint execution.* Hands-on experience in at least two or three areas: API development, SQL/databases, HTML/JavaScript, along with strong technical troubleshooting and production support mindset. * Experience using developer collaboration tools such as GitHub/Bit bucket, Jira, and Confluence. * Excellent written and spoken English with an ability to communicate technical decisions clearly, combined with strong interpersonal and collaborative skills across engineering, testing, product and stakeholders.Additional Information:* Interview Process: Initial screening call followed by a virtual interview with hiring managers How to Apply: If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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