Lead Software Engineer / Technical Lead (Python & Django)

We're supporting a high-profile UK Government digital programme and are looking for Senior Python Developers and Technical Leads with strong Python & Django expertise to join a multidisciplinary agile team delivering secure, user-focused digital services.

The Role

You'll play a key role in designing, developing and supporting scalable backend services used within a secure government environment. Technical Leads will also provide technical guidance, mentor engineers and help shape architecture and engineering best practices while remaining hands-on.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop secure, scalable applications using Python & Django
• Design and build RESTful APIs
• Contribute to system architecture and technical design
• Work within Agile, multidisciplinary delivery teams
• Write clean, well-tested code using TDD principles
• Support live services and drive continuous improvement
• (Technical Leads) Mentor developers and provide technical leadership across squads

Essential Skills

• Strong commercial experience with Python
• Excellent hands-on experience with Django
• REST API development
• System design and software architecture experience
• Agile delivery experience
• Test-Driven Development (TDD)
• Cloud platform experience (AWS, Azure or GCP)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Desirable

• Government Digital Service (GDS) experience
• UK Government or Public Sector projects
• Experience working in secure or regulated environments

Requirements

• Active SC Clearance is highly advantageous.
• Able to work 40% onsite (approximately 2 days per week) in London, Manchester, Birmingham or Cardiff
• Up to 650/day (Senior Developer) | Up to 720/day (Technical Lead)
  12-Month Contract | Inside IR35