Senior Software Engineer

At Unity5, we are looking for a Software Engineer / Quality & Delivery Specialist to bridge the gap between active feature development and release execution. This is an active, hands-on engineering role writing PHP and Python, combined with a dedicated focus on driving team flow, managing Jira Kanban boards, and establishing rock-solid deployment standards across our web and mobile products.

A Step Toward Engineering Leadership

This is an intentionally progressive role designed for engineers aspiring toward team leadership. Working closely alongside the Engineering Manager, you won’t just be shipping features-you will actively facilitate conversations and collaborative opportunities, clear delivery bottlenecks, and assist with day-to-day operations. It offers a supportive environment to develop core Team Lead competencies in delivery management, cross-functional communication, and technical mentorship without immediately taking on direct-report line management.

What You’ll Do

Core Engineering

• Write clean, secure, and performant code in PHP and Python to deliver new features, tackle technical debt, and resolve complex bugs.
• Own tasks across the entire lifecycle: architecture, coding, containerised testing, production deployment, and post-release monitoring.
• Champion version control (Git) standards and participate actively in peer code reviews.

Delivery Flow & Team Facilitation (Leadership Pathway)

• Act as an engineering anchor for the Jira Kanban boards, maintaining board hygiene and driving work from backlog through to deployment.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), clear technical blockers, and ensure predictable engineering delivery across product lines.
• Provide clear visibility to Product Owners and peers during daily stand-ups, highlighting dependencies and resolving impediments quickly.
• Support the Engineering Manager to refine delivery processes, mentor peers on code quality, and advocate for operational flow.

Quality Oversight & Release Management

• Execute recurring, repeatable release cycles across PHP/Python web platforms and support mobile release branches.
• Perform hands-on operational testing in different environments to validate user flows, edge cases, and release readiness.
• Mitigate client risk by ensuring database migrations, deployment scripts, and release processes adhere strictly to company standards.
• Communicate release timelines, scope, and technical updates clearly to non-technical stakeholders, the Engineering Manager, Product Owners, and support teams.

• Hands-on Tech Stack: Proven experience building, debugging, and maintaining web applications using PHP, Python, SQL, Git, and Docker.
• Delivery & Flow Expertise: Practical experience managing Jira boards using Kanban principles to clear bottlenecks and optimise output.
• Leadership Ambition: A desire to grow into a Team Lead or Engineering Manager role by mastering delivery operations, stakeholder alignment, and developer enablement.
• Release & Quality Focus: A strong background in release engineering, continuous integration, and pre-production validation to protect client stability.
• Communication: Ability to break down complex technical topics and liaise smoothly between developers, QA engineers, Product Owners, and executive management.

Why Join Unity5?

• Real-World Tech Impact: Our platforms power 1 in 3 UK local authorities and over 130 operators.
• Moving Forwards: We continuously invest in cloud-native technology, clean architectures, and modern dev tools.
• Great Engineering Culture: Our employee retention speaks for itself… remote/hybrid working, clear progression paths, superb modern offices, and an environment where technical ideas drive product decisions.

Ready to build cloud solutions that scale across smart cities? Apply to .

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay
• Transport links
• Work from home