Lead Software Engineer (Python & Django) - 12 Months - Inside IR35

Lead Software Engineer (Python/Django) - Contract Location: Hybrid (2 days per week onsite) - London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff or Darlington Contract Length: 12 months Rate: Up to £750 per day IR35 Status: Inside IR35 Clearance: SC Clearance required before submission Overview

This is a hands-on leadership role focused on designing, building and improving secure, scalable digital services in a government environment. You will work within multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality, user-focused solutions aligned with government standards. Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of scalable software solutions
• Translate user and business requirements into technical solutions
• Develop secure, well-tested, high-quality code
• Support and optimise live services for performance and reliability
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including business analysts, designers and engineers
• Provide technical leadership across multiple workstreams
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering practices
• Ensure integration across complex systems

Technical Environment

• Primary technologies: Python and Django
• Backend-focused role with full-stack awareness
• Delivery aligned to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards
• Agile, squad-based structure

Required Experience

• Strong Python and Django expertise
• Proven experience in system design and architecture
• Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working in secure or regulated environments
• Typically 5 to 10+ years' software engineering experience

Desirable Experience

• Experience working to GDS standards
• Public sector or defence background
• Experience in highly regulated or secure environments