Lead Engineer

About Scrumconnect Consulting

Scrumconnect Consulting is a multi-award-winning digital consultancy whose work has positively influenced the lives of over 40 million UK citizens. We deliver impactful technology solutions across UK government departments, working at the forefront of user-centred design, agile delivery, and scalable digital services that genuinely make a difference.

• Visa sponsorship available for eligible candidates

• Strong focus on work-life balance with a flexible hybrid model (3 days onsite)

• Be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary agile environment alongside civil servants and industry experts

• Based in Swansea, South Wales - three days per week on-site

Role Overview

We are seeking a Lead Backend Developer with strong expertise in Java and Spring Boot to drive the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and high-performing Back End systems. This role involves leading engineering teams, making architectural decisions, and ensuring best practices across development life cycle. Experience working in standards-driven environments, including exposure to GDS-aligned projects, is valuable.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of Back End systems using Java (8/11/17+) and Spring Boot
• Define and implement scalable microservices architecture
• Own technical design, architecture, and system integrations
• Guide and mentor a team of Back End developers
• Collaborate with product managers, architects, DevOps, and stakeholders
• Ensure adherence to coding standards, security practices, and performance benchmarks
• Drive CI/CD, automation, and DevOps best practices
• Review code, enforce quality standards, and manage technical debt
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and team capability building
• Ensure solutions align with organizational and regulatory standards where applicable

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong expertise in Java and Spring Boot ecosystem
• Proven experience in technical leadership or team lead role
• Deep understanding of microservices, distributed systems, and system design
• Experience designing and building RESTful APIs at scale
• Hands-on experience with:
  
  • Hibernate/JPA
  • Messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ)
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• Strong knowledge of Docker, Kubernetes, and container orchestration
• Expertise in database design (SQL & NoSQL)
• Strong understanding of security, scalability, and performance optimization
• Experience with Agile/Scrum and modern development practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in large-scale digital platforms or regulated environments (including exposure to GDS-aligned delivery standards)
• Familiarity with DevOps tools and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, etc.)
• Strong understanding of system observability (logging, monitoring, tracing)
• Relevant certifications in Java, cloud, or architecture

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Ability to drive technical vision and influence teams
• Problem-solving mindset with attention to detail

Our interview process

We keep things straightforward. Following an initial CV review, successful candidates will be invited to a short screening call with our recruitment team, followed by a two-stage process comprising a technical assessment and a values-based interview with the hiring team. We aim to move quickly and will keep you informed at every stage.

Equal Opportunities

Scrumconnect Consulting is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and welcome applications from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.