Location: Bristol (20% onsite)
Duration: 6 month contract
Rate: £81.75ph LTD (Outside IR35)
Role details:
Our client, a prominent entity in the Defence & Security sector, is currently seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to provide hands-on leadership across a high-priority software delivery programme. Based in Bristol, this contract role requires a self-starter who can swiftly comprehend complex problem domains, translate requirements into actionable deliverables, and drive engineering teams to successful outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
Delivery & Execution
Own end-to-end technical delivery across the programme.
Make time-critical delivery decisions in the absence of programme leadership.
Break down high-level requirements into structured deliverables for engineering teams.
Sequence work, set priorities, and maintain delivery plans.
Act as escalation point for blockers, risks, and technical issues.
Drive tangible progress across multiple engineering and platform workstreams.
Brief senior leadership when required with concise, reliable updates.
Leadership & Direction
Set and communicate technical and delivery strategy aligned with design authority.
Provide technical direction to software engineers, test engineers, and platform engineers.
Align multidisciplinary teams toward a single, coherent execution plan.
Take accountability for outcomes, not just inputs or activities.
Stakeholder Management
Regular engagement with Programme Lead & System Development Practice Lead
Operational Management
Chair or contribute heavily to planning sessions, triage meetings, and defect calls.
Ensure work is understood, tracked, and flowing across teams.
Fill operational gaps where roles are missing, unclear, or underperforming.
People & Capability
Identify underperformance and capability gaps.
Advise on hiring, replacement, and resourcing decisions.
Provide support for team members under pressure.
Job Requirements:
Strong background as a Lead Software Engineer or Technical Delivery Lead.
Ability to rapidly understand new technical problem spaces and system architectures.
Experience guiding developers across multiple languages/frameworks (e.g., Python, C#, .NET).
Strong understanding of secure software development and assurance.
Experience with enterprise architecture, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps practices.
Knowledge of cloud technologies and containerised environments (specifically RHEL environments running on physical hosts, and with containerised applications).
Demonstrated ability to shape technical direction and deliver complex systems.
Desired Experience:
Exposure to AI/ML development or model-based engineering.
Experience working in high-assurance, secure environments.
Multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructure knowledge.
Soft Skills & Behaviours:
Self-directed; able to operate with minimal oversight.
Strong communicator able to interface clearly with engineers and executives.
Calm under pressure; able to stabilise teams experiencing delivery stress.
Pragmatic decision-maker able to prioritise delivery over perfection.
Confident acting as the single point of accountability for technical delivery.
If you are an experienced software engineering leader who thrives in dynamic and high-pressure environments, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to make a significant impact with our client's pioneering projects in the Defence & Security sector