Lead Java Tech Role- 3 month Contract

I'm looking for a Lead Backend Software Engineer to shape backend architecture, drive engineering excellence, and guide teams building high-performance digital products used at scale. This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll influence technical strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure backend systems are robust, secure, and future-ready.What you'll be doing

• Lead backend architecture - Define and evolve scalable, secure, high-performance backend systems
• Set engineering standards - Champion best practices, secure coding (OWASP), and high-quality delivery
• Hands-on technical contribution - Support critical backend work and review complex code
• Guide teams & mentor engineers - Facilitate design discussions, code reviews, and technical decision-making
• Improve tooling & CI/CD - Enhance pipelines, build processes, and operational workflows
• Drive continuous improvement - Reduce technical debt and introduce modern backend approaches
• Support compliance - Ensure systems align with standards such as ISO27001 and PCI

What we're looking for

• Strong backend engineering experience with Java (11+) & Spring Boot
• Event-driven architecture expertise - Kafka or similar
• Cloud experience - ideally AWS; Kubernetes knowledge beneficial
• Deep understanding of microservices, REST APIs & distributed systems
• Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases
• Strong CI/CD, automated testing & DevOps awareness
• Ability to influence technical direction across teams
• Comfortable communicating technical risks to non-technical stakeholders

Hybrid working- London or Newcastle

• 3 month rolling contract
• Outside IR35