Technical Lead | Defence Start-up

Technical Lead (x5 positions - different squads/tribes/skillsets)

Newcastle (in office)

£100,000-£150,000 + bonus

Defence Tech Start-up

Technical Lead (Defence Projects)

A high-growth technology consultancy is seeking Technical Leads to support delivery across complex, high-impact defence programmes. They're building teams across application (C#, Java, Python), low-level/embedded (C/C++, Rust), Data, AI/ML, and DevOps skillsets.

They are deliberately setting a very high bar, hiring engineers from top universities who are among the strongest technically in their field. The work is very problem-solving focused, small teams tackling complex systems, often working on completely new challenges every few months.

You'll genuinely be working alongside some of the best engineers/teams in the country, solving problems no one else has before.

They’re hiring for, and value, people who:

• Enjoy working on challenging systems
• Are friendly
• Truly understand problem-solving, from first principles
• Enjoy variety
• Are adaptable and articulate

The Technical Lead Role

As the Technical Lead, you will combine hands-on engineering with leadership responsibilities, guiding multi-disciplinary teams in demanding and often ambiguous environments.

Technical Lead Responsibilities include:

• Leading engineering teams and setting technical direction
• Defining architecture, standards, and engineering trade-offs
• Mentoring engineers across varying levels of experience
• Conducting code and design reviews
• Engaging directly with clients to shape requirements and manage expectations
• Planning delivery, estimation, and prioritisation
• Managing technical debt while balancing delivery pressures

Technical Lead Requirements:

• Strong software engineering background with leadership experience
• Experience in Application, or Low-Level/Embedded, or AI/ML, or DevOps, or Data
• Tech: e.g. C#, Python, C++, Rust, Typescript, C, Java, AI/ML tools, LLMs/RAG, SQL, multi-cloud etc...
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working in client-facing or consulting environments, or at least the attributes to thrive in these environments
• Familiarity with modern engineering practices (CI/CD, IaC, containers, testing)
• Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

Additional Criteria:

• STEM Degree (2:1 or 1st) from a leading university
• Eligibility for UK SC-level security clearance
• Interest, or experience, in defence, national security, or similar sectors is advantageous (but not required)

Technical Lead Benefits:

• Target based Bonus (~10%)
• Private healthcare
• Pension
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays