Lead Software Engineer Java

Company We are delighted to be supporting a pioneering SaaS business at the forefront of digital content and commerce innovation. This organisation empowers global brands and retailers to deliver rich, dynamic experiences across web, mobile, and other digital channels. Their platform combines a headless CMS, dynamic media capabilities, and AI-powered automation tools to streamline content creation, management, and delivery.

With a strong focus on scalability and flexibility, the company enables marketing and development teams to collaborate efficiently, adapt to evolving customer expectations, and launch campaigns faster. Their solutions support composable commerce architectures and integrate seamlessly with leading PIM, DAM, and ecommerce platforms.

Recent product innovations include customisable content authoring tools, intelligent scheduling features, and automation agents that accelerate content production while maintaining brand consistency and localization. The company is a proud member of the MACH Alliance, advocating for modern, API-first, cloud-native technologies.

Role Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership - Provide technical direction throughout the software development lifecycle and aligning to internal best practices.
• Hands-On Coding - Make direct contributions to the codebase and sprint goals.
• Line Management and Coaching – Manage a small team of software engineers, providing mentorship and fostering a collaborative culture.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

• Strong Software Development Background – With excellent skills in Java and a familiarity with TypeScript.
• Commercial AWS Experience – Robust understanding of the AWS ecosystem and its core services.
• NoSQL Expertise – Familiarity with NoSQL principles, having used at least one commercially.
• Search Technologies – Understanding of search indexing, with practical exposure to at least one search technology (additional experience with Solr experience).
• CI/CD Proficiency – Deep knowledge of the software development lifecycle, including automation best practices and CI/CD tools.
• Scalable System Design – Experience building and maintaining scalable, highly available systems, employing industry-standard patterns and methodologies.
• API Design – Familiar with REST and GraphQL API best practices.

Person

We’re seeking a highly capable and motivated backend engineering leader to drive technical excellence, contribute directly to product development, and nurture a high-performing team. The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in backend technologies, cloud infrastructure, and scalable system design, alongside proven experience in team leadership and mentoring.

Essential Skills & Experience

Technical Leadership

• Proven ability to set technical direction and guide architectural decisions across the software development lifecycle.
• Experience aligning engineering practices with internal standards and business goals.
• Strong understanding of scalable, distributed systems and modern backend architectures.

Hands-On Coding

• Advanced proficiency in Java and TypeScript, with a track record of delivering production-grade software.
• Deep familiarity with AWS services and cloud-native development.
• Experience with NoSQL databases (e.g., Cassandra) and search technologies (e.g., Solr), with a solid grasp of indexing and query optimization.
• Skilled in designing and consuming RESTful and GraphQL APIs.
• Strong grasp of CI/CD pipelines, automation, and DevOps practices.

Line Management & Coaching

• Minimum of 2 years in a leadership role, with direct line management or mentoring responsibilities.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture and support individual growth.
• Experience managing sprint goals, performance reviews, and career development plans.

Desirable Attributes

• Background in SaaS or content management platforms.
• Familiarity with composable architectures and MACH principles.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, agile environments with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications & Background

• 5+ years of professional experience in software engineering.
• Demonstrated experience working on complex, mission-critical systems.
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

The role does not offer sponsorship so candidates will need to be eligible to work in the UK and hold either a British passport or ILR. The company does offer a very flexible working arrangement expects candidates to spend at least 1 day per month in the office in Middlesbrough.