Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people's lives.
Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we're all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda. We have ambitious and far-reaching outcomes to achieve this year and, if you're thinking of joining us, there's never been a more exciting time.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Digital Planning Programme, our mission is to modernise the planning system through digital transformation; making it more transparent, accessible, and efficient for everyone.
As a Lead Developer, you will lead the technical delivery of planning data services This includes public and private APIs as well as Front end focussed web applications which must meet government standards for digital applications. You’ll guide engineering teams to build robust, scalable, and secure services that support planning reform. You’ll work closely with architects, product managers, and data specialists to ensure technical excellence and delivering at pace.
This role has a strong emphasis on building both front end applications and backend APIs. You’ll help plan technical work, mentor developers, and ensure our services meet user needs and policy goals.
Job description
As a Lead Developer You'll;
• Lead the design, development, and maintenance of robust, scalable APIs and open data services to support digital planning tools and systems. (Fast API, Flask, Express.js)
• Provide strategic technical leadership by setting software architecture, engineering practices, and technical direction across the Planning Data Team.
• Own the technical delivery of key products, ensuring code quality, performance, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with Technical Architects to align implementation with target architecture and standards.
• Guide teams on API design, versioning, testing, and developer experience.
• Line manage developers and support their growth through coaching, feedback, and career development.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Lead technical reviews, pair programming, and knowledge sharing across teams.
• Work with Delivery Managers and Product Leads to plan sprints, manage risks, and unblock teams.
• Embed security and privacy by design; ensure compliance with NCSC guidance, GDPR, and data licensing.
Person specification
As a Lead Developer You'll have;
• Proven experience leading software engineering teams in agile environments.
• Strong proficiency in backend development (e.g., Python, Node.js).
• Strong proficiency in frontend development (JavaScript, HTML, CSS).
• Hands-on experience with cloud-native development and containerised applications
• Deep understanding of CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and monitoring/alerting.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring developers and fostering inclusive engineering culture.