Lead Software Engineer

Role: Lead Software Engineer Salary/Rate: £650-750 per day inside IR35 Location: Hybrid, 2 days per week - multiple locations available Contract Duration: 12 months

We are currently looking for a Lead Software Engineer for our government client.

This Lead Software Engineer role is hybrid, based between 2 days per week on site and the remainder of the week working from home. Office locations include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff or Darlington, as preferred. There is no further flexibility with expected time on site, or the office locations.

The contract for this Senior Planner position is for 12 months, with potential to extend, operating inside IR35.

Security Clearance: Security Check (SC Clearance)

This role is inside IR35 - Due to the service of the role, it will now be based on an Umbrella solution.

Essential Skills / Experience required

Strong Python and Django experience

Proven system design and architecture capability (end-to-end)

Strong collaboration and communication skills

Experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams

Ability to contribute to secure, structured environments

Minimum 5+ years' experience (ideally 8-10 years)

T-shaped skillset (deep technical + broad system awareness)

Strong delivery focus and efficiency

Comfortable taking ownership and leading within squads

Experience working in structured, governance-heavy environments

Desirable Skills

Experience with GDS standards

Public sector or defence-related experience

Exposure to secure or regulated environments

Role / Responsibilities

This role is responsible for the design, development, delivery, and ongoing improvement of software solutions within a secure, government-focused environment. The successful candidate will contribute to building resilient, scalable, and user-centred services, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards relating to controlled goods and exports. The position requires strong technical leadership, collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and ownership of both development and live service performance.

Lead the design and delivery of scalable software solutions

Translate user needs into technical outcomes

Build secure, test-driven, high-quality code

Support and maintain live services (performance & stability)

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (BA, UCD, Developers)

Oversee development across multiple workstreams

Drive continuous improvement of systems and processes

Ensure integration across complex systems

If you are interested in the above role, please click Apply Nowand send a CV for quick review.

Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a better way for us to communicate, please do let us know.

Security Check, Sc Level, Sc Cleared, Sc Clearance, Security Cleared, Security Clearance, Security Vetting Clearance, Active SC, SC Vetted, Cleared To A High Government Standard, DV Cleared, DV Clearance, DV Check, Developed Vetted, Developed Vetting, DV Strap, Active DV, Developer, Software Engineer, Programmer, Python, Django, Architect

Circle Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. Earn yourself a referral bonus if you refer somebody else who fills the role! We also offer an iPad if you refer a new client to us and we recruit for them. Follow us on Facebook - Circle Recruitment , Twitter - @Circle_Rec and LinkedIn - Circle Recruitment.