Lead Software Engineer
// Role Summary
Lead a team of engineers in designing, developing, and maintaining critical infrastructure for cutting-edge projects, utilizing your expertise in backend or frontend development and scalable systems.
// Key Responsibilities
- Lead a team of software engineers in a mission-driven environment.
- Contribute across the full software development lifecycle.
- Develop and maintain scalable backend or frontend systems.
- Utilize experience with CI/CD, containerisation, and cloud platforms.
- Mentor junior developers and foster team growth.
- Requires current Highest Level of UK Government security clearance and British National citizenship.
// Role Specification
Define Possible at Northrop Grumman UK
What’s your possible? At Northrop Grumman UK, you are part of a team driving innovation where it matters most – solving tomorrow’s challenges and shaping the technology solutions of the future. This mind-set goes beyond our customer solutions; it’s the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community.
The Opportunity
This is more than just a job; it’s a mission. As a Lead Software Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing and maintaining the critical infrastructure that powers our services. You’ll work across a variety of exciting, complex projects within a unique mission space, building elegant, stable solutions that have real‑world impact. You’ll also bring strong leadership, guiding your team through both technical and delivery challenges to ensure solutions meet customer needs.
What You’ll Do
- Take ownership of the team’s deliverables, working closely with the Scrum Master to define the best path forward.
- Contribute across the entire software development lifecycle, from requirements and design through implementation, testing and deployment.
- Collaborate with product teams, front-end engineers and QA to deliver high‑quality solutions.
- Mentor and guide junior developers, contributing to team capability and skill growth.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience as a Software Developer with strong focus on one of the following: Backend Java development (Spring Boot, Maven) or Frontend development (React, npm).
- Proven experience designing, developing and deploying scalable backend systems.
- Familiarity with CI/CD, containerisation, deployment technologies and cloud platforms (Jenkins, Kubernetes, Docker, AWS).
- Excellent communication, collaboration and problem‑solving skills, ideally gained in an agile environment.
If you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We value potential, curiosity and a willingness to grow.
Security Clearance
Due to the nature of our work, you must be a British National for this clearance type. You must be able to currently hold the Highest Level of UK Government security clearance.
Benefits
- Flexible working options, including hybrid working and an optional compressed fortnight.
- Private healthcare.
- Cash health plan.
- Holiday buy/sell scheme.
- Career development programmes and specialist training.
- Performance‑based bonuses.
Why Join Us?
A Mission to Believe In: Every day we help build a more secure and connected world across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace. The work we do together matters.
A Place to Belong and Thrive: Every voice matters. You can bring your authentic self to work and be part of an inclusive community supported by employee‑led groups and partnerships that champion diversity, mental health and service leavers.
Your Career, Your Way: Shape your career with diverse roles, mentoring, training opportunities and the flexibility to balance your professional and personal life. We invest in your wellbeing, growth and future.