Energy Jobline is the largest and fastest growing global Energy Job Board and Energy Hub. We have an audience reach of over 7 million energy professionals, 400,000+ monthly advertised global energy and engineering jobs, and work with the leading energy companies worldwide.

We focus on the Oil & Gas, Renewables, Engineering, Power, and Nuclear markets as well as emerging technologies in EV, Battery, and Fusion. We are committed to ensuring that we offer the most exciting career opportunities from around the world for our jobseekers.

Job Description

Lead Software Engineer — Mission‑Critical Delivery (Defence & Security)

Contract | Bristol (Hybrid) | Outside IR35 | High‑priority programme

Build software that actually matters. We’re delivering secure, high‑integrity platforms used across Defence & Security—systems where reliability, correctness and speed of delivery are non‑negotiable. If you’re a hands‑on leader who can turn complexity into shippable software and align multi‑disciplinary teams behind a clear plan, this is your arena.

Why this role is different

Real authority: You’ll own end‑to‑end technical delivery across multiple workstreams—not just “influence” it. High‑impact environment: What you build gets deployed and relied on, not shelved. Hands‑on leadership: Lead by example in code, pipelines, and architecture—engineering first, PowerPoint second. Calm in the storm: When the situation’s ambiguous or time‑critical, you set direction and move the needle. Hybrid working: Bristol hub with pragmatic onsite time for planning, integration and secure build activities.

The mission

Own the technical delivery of a high‑priority software programme. You’ll translate complex requirements into a coherent execution plan, sequence the work, unblock delivery, and keep senior stakeholders aligned—while still rolling up your sleeves to steer architecture, code quality and platform decisions.

What you’ll lead & deliver

Own the outcomes: End‑to‑end accountability for programme‑level technical delivery across multiple engineering and platform streams. Decide at pace: Make time‑critical calls when leadership isn’t available—backed by data, risk awareness and sound engineering judgement. Turn intent into code: Break down high‑level requirements into clear, testable deliverables that flow through teams without friction. Plan & sequence: Maintain living delivery plans, set priorities, and coordinate cross‑team dependencies with ruthless clarity. Unblock & de‑risk: Act as the escalation point for blockers, risks and technical issues; drive them to ground. Communicate up & across: Brief senior leadership with concise, credible updates; align with design authority on technical & delivery strategy. Engineer the platform: Provide direction to software, test and platform engineers; ensure DevSecOps, CI/CD and quality gates are baked in. Stabilise & strengthen: Chair planning/triage/defect calls; ensure work is visible, tracked and flowing. Build capability: Spot underperformance and capability gaps; advise on hiring, coaching and resourcing; support people under pressure.

Tech you’ll encounter

Languages / frameworks: Python, C#, .NET (guiding multi‑ teams) Secure SDLC / DevSecOps: CI/CD, IaC, code quality, SCA/DAST/SAST, supply‑chain controls Platforms: RHEL on physical hosts, containerised applications (Docker/Kubernetes/OpenShift) Cloud & hybrid: Multi‑cloud/hybrid patterns, artefact registries, secrets management, observability Architecture: Distributed systems, API contracts, interface control, performance & resilience engineering Plus (nice‑to‑have): Exposure to AI/ML pipelines or model‑based engineering in secure contexts

What you’ll bring

Proven background as a Lead Software Engineer / Technical Delivery Lead in high‑assurance environments. Ability to grasp new problem spaces quickly and reason about complex systems and interfaces. Track record guiding developers across multiple stacks and enforcing good engineering practice. Deep familiarity with secure software development and assurance in regulated or classified settings. Experience aligning software, test and platform towards one coherent plan with crisp acceptance criteria. Excellent communicator—equally clear with engineers and execs. Calm under pressure, pragmatic and delivery‑biased without sacrificing quality. Comfortable as the single point of accountability for technical delivery.

Location, clearance & ways of working

Bristol (Hybrid): Onsite presence for secure build, planning and integration; otherwise flexible. Security: Eligibility for UK Security Clearance (SC) required (we’ll guide you through the process where applicable). Contract: High‑priority engagement with competitive day rate and extension potential based on impact.

If you are interested in applying for this job please press the Apply Button and follow the application process. Energy Jobline wishes you the very best of luck in your next career move.