Software Tech Lead

Software Tech Lead

Wiltshire | Hybrid - 3-4 days onsite | Up to £120,000 + benefits

Not just another Software Tech Lead.

We're looking for a Software Tech Lead who wants genuine ownership someone who can take a complex problem, shape the solution, and stay close enough to the code to build it.

You'll join a long-term UK defence programme where some of the most interesting technical challenges are still being worked out. Also be influencing architecture, lead technical decisions and mentor other engineers, while remaining hands-on day to day.

Where you'll make an impact

• Own significant technical work from initial idea through to production.
• Design and build backend services, APIs and integrations across complex systems and data platforms.
• Work primarily with Java and SQL, with exposure to Angular or another modern frontend framework.
• Make pragmatic decisions around architecture, data, APIs and event-driven approaches.
• Raise engineering standards across testing, CI/CD, code quality and observability.
• Lead technical discussions and mentor engineers, helping develop the wider engineering capability.
• Work directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders to turn ambiguous requirements into practical solutions.

The kind of lead we're looking for

You'll be an experienced Senior Engineer, Tech Lead, Staff Engineer or equivalent with a strong backend/integration background and the confidence to influence technical direction.

You should have strong experience with:

• Java and SQL
• Backend services and API development
• System integration and software architecture
• Automated testing and CI/CD
• Working across the stack, ideally with Angular or a similar framework
• Technical leadership and mentoring

Most importantly, you're comfortable when there isn't a perfect specification waiting for you. You can define the problem, challenge assumptions and make sound technical decisions.

We want to hear what you've actually changed.

Be ready to describe and quantify examples of your impact whether that's improving performance, reducing deployment times, increasing reliability, scaling a platform or developing other engineers.

Existing SC clearance is desirable. If you don't currently hold SC, you must be eligible to obtain it.

If you're looking for a role where you're still writing code but have a genuine say in how the technology is built, we'd like to hear from you.