1,756 Lead Software Engineer jobs in the United Kingdom

Lead Software Engineer

Location: Bristol (Aztec West)

Day Rate: 500-650 per day

Work Model: Hybrid (3 days in the office per week)

About the Role:

RC Fornax is a veteran-owned engineering consultancy delivering high-value solutions for complex, safety-critical systems in industries where reliability and precision are paramount. We are seeking a visionary and highly skilled Lead Software Engineer to lead the development of an AI-powered platform that will revolutionise engineering outsourcing, recruitment and defence procurement. This role combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence as a service (AIaaS) with deep software engineering expertise to create tools that enhance transparency, efficiency, and strategic decision-making in complex procurement environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deploy AI-enabled software solutions tailored to defence procurement challenges.
• Build scalable, secure, and modular systems that integrate with existing procurement platforms and data sources.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across defence, government, and industry to understand requirements and validate solutions.
• Ensure compliance with defence standards, cybersecurity protocols, and ethical AI principles.
• Lead technical architecture decisions and mentor junior developers as the team grows.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in software development (Python, Java, C++, or similar).
• Be proficient in using AI-coding assistants (like Cloude Code) to substantially optimise delivery cycles.
• Experience with data engineering, APIs, and developing full-stack solutions in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with procurement systems, defence contracting, or government tech is a strong plus.
• Ability to work independently and drive innovation in ambiguous environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Degree in Computer Science, AI, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with secure software development and defence-grade compliance.
• Knowledge of LLMs, generative AI, or autonomous decision systems.
• Understanding of procurement regulations (e.g., MOD, NATO, or equivalent).
• Application of machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics to automate and optimise procurement workflows.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to shape the future of defence procurement through AI.
• Direct impact on national security and strategic innovation.
• Flexible working arrangements and a culture of autonomy and excellence.

Additional Information

• Eligibility for UK security clearance is essential.

Conversations start at: £65k

ASquared is a digital product agency in the heart of Brighton. We're an 
agile, future-focused team
 of creators, innovators, and collaborators, crafting impactful digital products and services for startups, scaleups, and enterprises. We foster a forward-thinking, inclusive culture where innovation thrives, and every engineer has a voice.

We're looking for a 
Lead Software Engineer
 who is excited about the future of software development - someone who 
leverages AI-assisted coding tools daily
 and has experience 
building applications with advanced technology under the hood
. This is an opportunity to be part of a team that's pioneering modern engineering practices, from assisted coding workflows to intelligent automation in app development.

If you're an engineer who is always experimenting with the latest tools and has a passion for delivering cutting-edge applications, we'd love to hear from you.

This is a hybrid role
 (Tuesdays & Fridays in the Brighton office).

Applicants must be located in and eligible to work in the UK. We can't currently support or sponsor visa applications.

This opportunity is open to all eligible applicants, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, age, neurodivergence, socioeconomic background or lived experience. If you feel unsure about whether you meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.

What you'll bring

You actively 
leverage AI-powered developer tools
 like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, , or custom LLM-based workflows to accelerate development and enhance code quality.

You have experience building applications that 
utilise advanced technology features under the hood
, such as chatbots, AI-powered automation tools, or AI-enhanced search features.

You write 
clean, scalable, and maintainable code
 with a focus on 
modern software design patterns
.

You're comfortable working in 
multidisciplinary, cross-functional teams
 and can articulate complex technical decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You embrace 
continuous learning
, staying ahead of the curve on advancements in software engineering.

What you'll be doing

 
Architecting, coding, and shipping high-quality digital products
 that push the boundaries of what's possible.

 
Using AI to streamline workflows -
from AI-generated boilerplate code to automated refactoring and debugging.

 
Building cutting edge features
, including LLM-backed chat interfaces, content generation tools, and intelligent automation solutions.

 
Leading by example
, mentoring and collaborating with other engineers to improve quality and productivity.

 
Contributing to marketing the agency -
through blog posts, conference talks, or internal knowledge-sharing sessions.

 
Light-touch management -
supporting and nurturing our engineers to help them reach their potential via 1:1s and Dev reviews (CodeSquared)

What you'll need

 
4+ years of experience
 developing React and/or React Native applications.

3+ years of TypeScript experience.

 
Experience integrating OpenAI, Google Gemini, or other LLM APIs
 into web or mobile applications.

Hands-on experience with 
PostgreSQL or other relational databases
, including designing and optimising schemas for scalable applications.

Familiarity with 
Firebase, AWS, or other cloud-based backend solutions
 for authentication, real-time data, or serverless functions.

Experience working in 
fast-paced Agile environments
.

Proficiency with 
GitHub or GitLab workflows

Familiarity with 
Figma and working closely with product designers
.

A mindset of 
experimentation, automation, and AI-enhanced problem-solving
.

The nice-to-haves

Experience in 
full-stack development , , or serverless architectures)
.

Familiarity with 
AI prompt engineering techniques
.

Experience with 
iOS/Android development (React Native, Swift, Kotlin)
.

Exposure to 
design systems and modular UI frameworks
.

Prior experience in 
SaaS product development, enterprise apps, or high-growth startups
.

Why join us?

At ASquared, we're building the next generation of digital products by embracing 
AI-first engineering
. You'll work in an environment where AI isn't just a buzzword—it's deeply integrated into how we code, ship, and innovate.

 
Flexible hybrid working
 (Tuesdays & Fridays in-office, the rest remote)

 
Digital Nomad policy
 – work 
from anywhere in the world
 for up to a month per year

 
£20/month wellness allowance
 for fitness, meditation apps & more

 
Access to Spill – virtual mental health & counselling support

 
25 days of annual leave
 (plus bank holidays)

 
Profit share incentives based on lead referrals and project delivery

 
Monthly social events, team lunches, and networking opportunities

 
Dog-friendly office – bring your pooch along

We're committed to 
equal opportunities
 and building a 
diverse, inclusive team
. If you're excited about the future of 
AI-enhanced engineering
 and want to build the next generation of digital products, apply today

 
How to Apply:
 Send your CV and links to relevant projects showcasing your future-focused development skills.

Equal opportunities

ASquared is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. ASquared believes that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to our success as a company and is an asset to the communities we serve.

Job Title: Lead Software Engineer – Azure DevOps

Contract Type: Permanent

Location: Alderley Edge

Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Closing date: 23rd October 2025

A Software Engineer is essential in developing and implementing technology solutions that meet business needs. They work with product owners and business analysts to turn requirements into effective designs. Their responsibilities include improving existing solutions, integrating new ones, and reusing shared platforms. They develop business systems, interfaces, databases, and reporting tools to support corporate goals. Whether working on front-end or back-end systems, they use their software development expertise to create robust, scalable, and efficient solutions, driving continuous improvements and enhancing customer choice.

About the Role

• Create and Deliver Solutions: Develop technology solutions that meet business requirements, ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and minimal environmental impact.
• Enhance and Integrate: Modify existing solutions, integrate new ones with current systems, and support the reuse of shared platforms.
• Security and Documentation: Implement security standards, including role-based permissions and access auditing, and ensure thorough documentation of designs and configurations.
• Testing and Quality: Collaborate with Quality Engineering and Infrastructure teams to test solutions for functionality and performance, embedding quality throughout the development process.
• Continuous Improvement and Support: Address issues, drive ongoing improvements, support continuous integration and deployment, and enhance solution resilience to handle disruptions.

About You

• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Development: Design, implement, and manage Terraform scripts to automate cloud infrastructure on Azure, ensuring efficient and secure resource provisioning.
• CI/CD Pipeline Implementation: Develop and maintain CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps, integrating Terraform to automate infrastructure deployments with validation and security checks.
• Environment Management: Manage multiple environments using Terraform Workspaces, ensuring best practices for state file management, versioning, and locking mechanisms.
• Collaboration and Optimization: Work with cross-functional teams to define infrastructure requirements, implement monitoring and performance optimization, and ensure security and compliance using Azure tools.

About Royal London

We're the UK's largest mutual life, pensions, and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance. You can see all our benefits here - Our Benefits

Inclusion, diversity and belonging.

We're an Inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.

Create the future of travel with us

Whether it’s to visit the people closest to us, starting an exciting adventure, or a career-defining business trip, travel is an essential part of our lives. Yet we've all experienced the aches and pains of getting to our destination. Today, more than 4 billion airline passengers rely on technology that hasn't kept up with the expectations of the modern connected traveller.

That’s why we’ve started to rebuild the infrastructure that underpins the travel industry. We’re on a mission to unravel travel — simplifying systems and building the tools that will make the future of travel effortless. Central to this mission is ensuring seamless, secure, and reliable payment experiences, which are crucial for every transaction and a cornerstone of trust in our platform.

We were part of Y Combinator S18's cohort and we are backed by Benchmark, Blossom, Index Ventures, and Kima Ventures. A fantastic set of investors that has helped build some of the world's largest companies.

Our team in London is growing, and we’re looking for talented people to join us on our journey.

What we're looking for in you

• You are hands-on. You're comfortable jumping into the codebase, contributing directly to projects, and pairing with engineers to solve complex problems.
• You have strong technical judgment. You can arbitrate technical discussions and make tradeoffs that balance short-term impact and long-term health.
• You’ve led engineering teams. You’ve managed and grown mid-sized teams (5-10 engineers), and you know how to balance delivery with team wellbeing.
• You value leadership. You lead by example, create space for others to thrive, and measure your success through the growth and success of your team.
• You communicate with clarity. Whether in code reviews, design documents, or team updates, you communicate ideas in a way that builds shared understanding.
• You embrace autonomy. You can be trusted to drive initiatives forward without micromanagement, and you help others do the same.

Bonus: Experience with platform, infrastructure, developer tooling, or internal enablement teams.

What we are looking for in you

• Technical leadership: Writing and reviewing production code regularly, contributing to Duffel’s engineering standards and helping the team make well-informed technical decisions.
• Shaping the roadmap: Collaborating with product managers and designers to define and deliver on a roadmap that balances technical and customer priorities.
• Team enablement: Driving high team performance through enabling healthy engineering practices—agile delivery, rapid iteration, test-driven development, and continuous improvement.
• Mentorship & coaching: Supporting your teammates in their personal growth through 1:1s, mentoring, and continuous feedback. Helping engineers identify and pursue their career goals.
• Engineering culture: Actively contributing to a positive, inclusive, and collaborative culture where technical excellence and empathetic leadership go hand in hand.
• Org design & hiring: Partnering with the People team and leadership to recruit, onboard, and retain top engineering talent. Helping shape how Duffel scales its technical organisation.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Working across teams to improve developer experience, infrastructure, reliability, and scalability of our systems.

What you can expect from us

We're dedicated to your personal growth. Our environment is comfortable both physically, but also in that our ears are always open to any ideas, concerns and questions. We believe that everyone should have pride in their work, taking full ownership of it and its impact. That's why everyone who joins Duffel owns a share of the company.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We believe that the key to our success is employing a diverse team, that's why recruitment decisions are only based on your experience and skills. We value your ability to problem solve and build amazing things so we welcome applications for everyone – regardless of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.

Note to recruitment agencies

Duffel does not accept speculative CV's from external parties. Any unsolicited CV's sent to us will be treated as property of Duffel, and any attached terms and conditions associated with these CV's will be null and void.

Lead Software Engineer | Distributed Systems | Sustainable Cloud Native Platform

Up to £130,000 per annum plus bonus plus stock

Central London office

️Golang, Rust, C, Kubernetes, Linux, Cloud Native, Distributed systems.

Are you a Lead Software Engineer with extensive knowledge of building distributed systems? Looking to join a company who are solving genuine problems that disrupt an industry? Interested in working with the best talent on the market and having a real impact on projects?

If so.

I'm partnered with a very exciting Cloud scale-up who have received record Series A funding and are looking for innovative Lead Software Engineers to join their ambitious team! With a new VP of Engineering who has spent much of their career building out a world leading Cloud platform, the team are growing fast and they're looking to attract the best talent on the market.

Having received huge investment, they are on a journey to truly disrupt the industry and are not held back by any legacy code or old customers. This means that they're able to build out state-of-the-art, Greenfield code which can focus on being the worlds most accountable and sustainable cloud provider

What they're looking for in a Lead Software Engineer:

• Tech agnostic but preferable experience working with Golang, Rust, Java and/or C/C++.
• In-depth knowledge of distributed systems, building solutions at scale where performance, reliability and availability are key considerations.
• Confident in leading the definition and creation of solutions from 0-1, solving ambiguous and complex challenges.
• Experience working on software infrastructure or building Cloud native software using Kubernetes.
• Understanding of systems design and Open Source components.
• If you have knowledge of building virtual machines - Virtual servers, virtual networking or network programming - that's a plus. but definitely not needed!

If this sounds like you, feel free to apply and I can run through more details!

Lead Software Engineer | Distributed Systems | Sustainable Cloud Native Platform

LEAD DEVELOPER

LONDON - HYBRID

£65,000

THE COMPANY

This world-renowned cultural and scientific institution is home to one of the largest and most unique collections on the planet. By joining their Data team, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping cutting-edge platforms that support global research, conservation, and innovation. Your work will directly contribute to unlocking knowledge that benefits science, education, and society at large.

THE ROLE

As a Lead Developer you will take ownership of developing and scaling the core technology platform for a landmark 10-year national digitisation programme. You’ll be leading technical strategy, mentoring developers, and ensuring the systems are sustainable and fit for the future.

Specifically, you can expect to be involved in the following:

• Designing and building scalable backend systems using Python.
• Developing cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred) and deploying services with Kubernetes.
• Overseeing data storage, management, and publication pipelines for tens of millions of digital assets.
• Providing technical leadership and mentorship to a small development team.
• Driving long-term sustainability by shaping infrastructure for a large-scale digitisation project.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful Lead Developer will have the following skills and experience:

• Strong backend development experience, ideally with Python
• Hands-on expertise with cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
• Familiarity with containerisation and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Experience with SQL databases
• Experience leading projects or mentoring teams of developers.
• Ability to design and implement scalable, sustainable technical solutions.

BENEFITS

The successful Lead Developer will receive the following benefits:

• Salary of £65,000 depending on experience.
• Hybrid working with flexibility
• Opportunity to work on one of the UK’s most significant digital transformation programmes in science.
• Professional development and mentoring opportunities.
• The chance to contribute to a project with real societal and environmental impact.

HOW TO APPLY

Please register your interest by sending your resume/CV to Joana Alves via the Apply link on this page.

LEAD DEVELOPER

LONDON - HYBRID

£65,000

THE COMPANY

This world-renowned cultural and scientific institution is home to one of the largest and most unique collections on the planet. By joining their Data team, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping cutting-edge platforms that support global research, conservation, and innovation. Your work will directly contribute to unlocking knowledge that benefits science, education, and society at large.

THE ROLE

As a Lead Developer you will take ownership of developing and scaling the core technology platform for a landmark 10-year national digitisation programme. You’ll be leading technical strategy, mentoring developers, and ensuring the systems are sustainable and fit for the future.

Specifically, you can expect to be involved in the following:

• Designing and building scalable backend systems using Python.
• Developing cloud infrastructure (AWS preferred) and deploying services with Kubernetes.
• Overseeing data storage, management, and publication pipelines for tens of millions of digital assets.
• Providing technical leadership and mentorship to a small development team.
• Driving long-term sustainability by shaping infrastructure for a large-scale digitisation project.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful Lead Developer will have the following skills and experience:

• Strong backend development experience, ideally with Python
• Hands-on expertise with cloud platforms (AWS preferred).
• Familiarity with containerisation and orchestration (Kubernetes).
• Experience with SQL databases
• Experience leading projects or mentoring teams of developers.
• Ability to design and implement scalable, sustainable technical solutions.

BENEFITS

The successful Lead Developer will receive the following benefits:

• Salary of £65,000 depending on experience.
• Hybrid working with flexibility
• Opportunity to work on one of the UK’s most significant digital transformation programmes in science.
• Professional development and mentoring opportunities.
• The chance to contribute to a project with real societal and environmental impact.

HOW TO APPLY

Please register your interest by sending your resume/CV to Joana Alves via the Apply link on this page.

Head of Engineering (Hands-On Lead) - Up to £100k

Up to £00,000 + Bonus + Equity

London (Hybrid – 2 days/week in office)

Tech environment: Angular, Ionic (iOS & Android), TypeScript, NestJS, Nx, Azure

Flexible on prior technical experience

We’re on the lookout for a Hands On Lead who enjoys coding while also leading a talented dev team and shaping technical strategy. You’ll join the senior leadership team, work closely with Product, and play a key role in scaling an award-winning consumer app with a global user base.

The role:

• Lead the technical roadmap while coding day-to-day.
• Mentor and grow a small team of engineers.
• Introduce and apply emerging technologies (including AI/ML).
• Ensure architecture, security, and infrastructure can scale globally.
• Collaborate with Product to deliver a best-in-class user experience.

If interested, please get in touch now!

Head of Engineering (Hands-On Lead) - Up to £100k strong>