Lead Full-Stack Java Developer

Searchability; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consultancy seeks a Lead Full Stack Java Developer to guide a small team in developing secure applications for government projects. This role involves leading the software lifecycle from architecture to deployment and requires strong Java and Spring Boot experience, alongside SC Clearance. Candidates will collaborate with various teams, ensuring high-quality best practices in a dynamic environment while contributing to critical national security systems. Competitive salary and benefits offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Active SC Clearance or eligible and willing to undergo clearance.
• Strong Java and Spring Boot development experience.
• Proven experience delivering full-stack solutions (e.g. React, Angular, or Vue).
• Good knowledge of microservices, RESTful APIs, and containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Experience working with AWS or other cloud environments.
• Understanding of secure software design and deployment in government or defence contexts.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of developers delivering scalable, secure full-stack solutions.
• Design, build, and maintain Java-based back-end services and modern front-end interfaces.
• Collaborate with architects to define system design and integration patterns.
• Ensure code quality through code reviews and mentoring.
• Contribute to DevOps pipelines and CI/CD practices.
• Champion engineering best practices and continuous improvement within the team.

Job description

The Company

Join a specialist technology consultancy delivering complex, mission-critical projects across UK Government and national security sectors. You’ll be part of a collaborative, engineering-focused environment where innovation, reliability, and technical excellence drive everything they do.

Their teams work closely with public sector clients to design, build, and modernise secure systems that underpin national operations — tackling some of the most demanding challenges in government technology.

The Role

As a Lead Full Stack Java Developer, you will guide a small team of engineers while remaining hands-on in the design and development of high-performance, secure applications. You’ll play a key role across the full software lifecycle — from architecture and development to deployment and continuous improvement — ensuring solutions meet stringent performance and security standards.

You’ll work in a dynamic environment, collaborating with architects, DevOps specialists, and delivery leads to drive best practices and technical excellence across projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a team of developers delivering scalable, secure full-stack solutions for critical government systems.
• Design, build, and maintain Java-based back-end services and modern front-end interfaces.
• Collaborate with architects and technical leads to define system design and integration patterns.
• Ensure code quality, maintainability, and performance through code reviews and mentoring.
• Contribute to DevOps pipelines and CI/CD practices in secure environments.
• Champion engineering best practices and continuous improvement within the team.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Active SC Clearance (or eligible and willing to undergo clearance).
• Strong Java and Spring Boot development experience.
• Proven experience delivering full-stack solutions (e.g. React, Angular, or Vue).
• Good knowledge of microservices, RESTful APIs, and containerisation (Docker/Kubernetes).
• Experience working with AWS or other cloud environments.
• Understanding of secure software design and deployment in government or defence contexts.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and mentoring skills.

Desirable:

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab CI).
• Familiarity with infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible).
• Exposure to Agile and DevSecOps delivery models.

Why Apply?

• High-impact work on systems that directly support UK Government missions.
• Technical autonomy and input into architecture and design decisions.
• Collaborative culture with a focus on professional growth.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

If you’re an experienced Full Stack Java Developer with SC Clearance who thrives on tackling complex challenges and leading technical teams, this is a chance to make a meaningful impact on projects that truly matter.

Apply now to discuss this opportunity in more detail.