Lead Developer

We have an exciting opportunity to join our growing team as a full stack Lead Software Developer where you will be developing innovative SaaS applications, delivered via the cloud, working on a combination of new projects, maintenance and support across the entire lifecycle from concept and system design through to live deployment.

You will be leading a squad of developers in a wider a growing team developing products for the insurance industry, working with insurance companies, suppliers, police forces and all supporting industries – both within the UK and Worldwide.

The ideal candidates will be able to hit the ground running with a variety of projects, working both alone and as part of the team.

We are currently driving cutting-edge technical change making use of the latest cloud technologies, serverless and micro services architecture to meet our client and business requirements.

Key Responsibilities:
Design & Development
Design, build, and support robust, scalable, and maintainable web, mobile, and component-based applications.
Deliver new features and enhancements for existing systems using current and emerging technologies.
Translate business requirements into technical solutions, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
Scope, implement, test, and deploy new application versions, databases, and utilities.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship
Take ownership of the squad’s technical vision and architecture, ensuring best practices and maintainable solutions.
Mentor junior developers, conduct code reviews, and promote knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
Lead by example in writing clean, efficient, and high-quality code while enforcing coding standards across the team.
Agile & Cross-functional Collaboration
Participate in Agile ceremonies including Three Amigos sessions, sprint planning, and retrospectives.
Collaborate closely with Product Managers, UX, QA, and other stakeholders to define user stories, estimate effort, and deliver high-value solutions.
Raise development issues early and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the team.
Documentation & Support
Produce technical documentation, and operational guides for software maintenance and support.
Provide third-line support as required, assisting in issue resolution and root cause analysis.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
Stay informed on industry trends, tools, and frameworks, and advocate for relevant adoption within the squad.
Identify opportunities to improve development processes, tools, and team practices through retrospectives and proactive engagement.
Team Culture & Delivery Excellence
Promote a positive, inclusive team environment that values collaboration, respect, and open communication.
Track time accurately and complete special projects or additional duties as needed.
Technical Expertise & Leadership Competencies

As a Lead Developer, you will bring a breadth of hands-on technical experience, alongside a passion for best practices, modern architecture, and mentoring others. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

Core Development Skills
Proven commercial experience in server-side Java (v8-11 and beyond), ideally gained over 10+ years in a professional environment; Java certification is advantageous.
Strong proficiency in SQL, with a preference for Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL.
Experience with NoSQL databases, particularly DynamoDB.
Solid understanding of design patterns and Clean Code principles.
Architecture & Modern Engineering Practices
Good working knowledge of microservices architecture and serverless technologies (e.g., AWS Lambda, Step Functions).
Experience deploying and developing applications within AWS environments.
Familiarity with Spring and Hibernate frameworks.
Comfortable working with both traditional and low code/no code platforms.
Frontend & Integration Technologies
Proficiency in modern frontend technologies such as Vue.js, HTML5, CSS, jQuery, and Bootstrap (or similar).
Experience with industry-standard API integrations (RESTful/JSON; SOAP experience is a plus).
Awareness of automation toolsets and Test-Driven Development methodologies.
Tooling & Workflow
Skilled in using source control systems, preferably Azure DevOps (ADO), Jenkins knowledge advantageous too.
Working knowledge of containerisation technologies such as Docker
Practical experience working within Agile/Scrum delivery environments.
Familiarity with AI-enhanced development tools such as GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or similar.
Leadership & Domain Knowledge
Demonstrated experience in line management and mentoring technical teams.
A proactive approach to continuous learning and a passion for exploring new technologies.
Experience in the insurance industry, particularly within motor claims, is advantageous.