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Lead Software Engineer

Clearance Level
BPSS
Salary Range
£63,000 - 94,000
Employment Type
FULL TIME
Work Style
hybrid

// Role Summary

Lead a team of software engineers at Northrop Grumman UK, designing, developing, and maintaining critical infrastructure for complex, impactful projects. This role requires strong leadership and a deep understanding of the full software development lifecycle.

// Key Responsibilities

  • Lead software engineering teams in designing and developing critical infrastructure.
  • Contribute across the entire software development lifecycle.
  • Mentor and guide junior developers.
  • Experience with backend Java (Spring Boot, Maven) or frontend (React, npm) development.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD, containerization, and cloud platforms.
  • Requires highest level of UK Government security clearance and UK citizenship.

// Role Specification

Lead Software Engineer – London (Hybrid)

Northrop Grumman UK is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to join our team, where 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. This is more than just a job; it’s a mission to help build a more secure and connected world.

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will bring strong leadership, guiding your team through both technical and delivery challenges to ensure solutions meet customer needs. "My purpose is to lead a team of engineers, rise to the challenges presented, push the boundaries and define possible together."

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 a 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. 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 and cash health plan.
  • Holiday buy/sell scheme.
  • Career development programmes and specialist training.
  • Performance-based bonuses.