AMS PSR

On behalf of DWP we are looking for a Lead Software Engineer for a 12 month (Inside IR35) contract. Hybrid working based in either Birmingham, Blackpool, Manchester, Leeds or Newcastle. 

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy. As the UK’s biggest public service department, it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers. As such, we operate on a scale that is almost unmatched anywhere in Europe and most people in Britain come into contact with us at some point in their lives.

Working with DWP, you will be helping us to drive our priorities to:

• Help people to move into work and support those already in work to progress, with the aim of increasing overall workforce participation
• Help people to plan and save for later life, while providing a safety net for those who need it now
• Provide effective, efficient, and innovative services to the millions of claimants who rely on us every day, including the most vulnerable in society
• Improve experience of our services while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.

We are looking for an experienced Software Engineer who is capable of leading & mentoring engineering teams while helping to shape and deliver services.

You will lead and help to reshape an existing engineering capability made up of a blend on DWP and Supplier Engineers. We are looking for someone who is good at problem-solving and can oversee the delivery of quality code.

You will be tasked with making significant advances in our engineering capability and help accelerate both the transformation of the digital services we offer and widen our adoption of a microservices and event-based architecture style.

As a Lead Software Engineer your main responsibilities will be to:

• Define standards for the Engineering community and lead their adoption across teams to deliver quality software products.
• Be an enabler for multiple teams, driving consistency, standards, pace and quality, resolving technical blockers, and promoting re-use and collaboration through the wider community.
• Influence our future Vision for delivery as part of the Leadership Team and then take ownership for bringing the engineering community on that journey.
• Have an excellent ability to self-organise and define priorities.
• Be capable of diving in where necessary, but the focus of this role will be to lead and set direction for multiple engineering teams effectively and successfully.
• Be capable of delegating responsibility to others while supporting them in their work.
• Work with multiple stakeholders and be able to help non-technical colleagues understand areas such as technical debt, domain driven design and shifting left processes.
• Support and build the next generation of engineers within the department through coaching and recruitment.

Essential:

• Strong proficiency in Java development.
• Hands-on experience building applications with React.
• Experience working with document-oriented databases (e.g., MongoDB).
• Proven experience with AWS services and cloud-based architectures.
• Solid background in developing Spring-based microservices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage and engage stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within software development teams.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, DWP guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

DWP guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".