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# Lead Application Architect

- **Company:** Bestway Group
- **Location:** London, UK
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Artificial Intelligence, Application Performance Management, Automation of Tests, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Engineering, Static Program Analysis, Code Generation, Code Review, Continuous Integration, Domain-Based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), Github, Key Management, Node.Js, OAuth, Systems Development Life Cycle, Openid Connect, Software Engineering, Data Logging, Delivery Pipeline, Spring-boot, AI Coding Agents, Containerization, Information Technology, Sendgrid, Restful APIs, Code Restructuring, Docker, Container Apps, Key Vault, Microservices
- **Published:** October 15, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.co.uk/job/gbe54c49310adbcd3583b2e46f30e7132c/eaa

## About the Role

* Significant experience in software engineering, with substantial production experience in Java and Spring Boot and in microservices architecture.
 * Proven experience designing applications at component and code level, and documenting them (C4 model, LLD, ADRs).
 * Experience building applications on Azure (e.g. Key Vault, Storage, Service Bus) and a solid grasp of containerisation and cloud-native principles.
 * Working knowledge of CI/CD (Docker, GitHub Actions) from a developer's perspective.
 * Strong understanding of REST API design and OAuth2 / OpenID Connect.
 * Strong commitment to automated testing, and the ability to set testing standards the team can adopt.
 * Hands-on experience with AI coding assistants, and a practical view on using them safely and effectively.
 * Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain technical trade-offs to developers, architects and business stakeholders.
 * Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Desirable:

 * Node.js experience.

 * Experience with FusionAuth or other identity providers; transactional email (SendGrid, DMARC).

 * Experience leading or mentoring engineering teams, or line management.

 * Microsoft Azure certifications (e.g. AZ-204, AZ-305).

 * Experience modernising legacy applications

## Description

* Application & low-level design: Own component-level (C4 Level 3) and code-level (C4 Level 4) design and LLDs for our applications. Translate Solution Architects' HLDs into clear implementation designs, and make sure the team understands the why behind each decision and the constraints that apply.

 * Architecture governance: Write and maintain Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), run design reviews, and work with the Technology Design Authority (TDA) so that application-level decisions are traceable and consistent.

 * Engineering standards: Define Java coding standards covering exception handling, stream/resource handling, structured logging (Application Insights) and security-first practices. Automate them through project templates, linters and CI quality gates rather than manual policing.

 * AI-assisted development: Lead the adoption of AI tools across the SDLC (code generation, code review, refactoring, test generation, documentation, legacy code analysis). Define guidelines for usage, review of AI-generated code, and security and IP protection, and measure the impact on delivery speed and quality.

 * Cloud-native modernisation: Guide the move of legacy applications to Azure Container Apps. Build reusable reference implementations covering health checks, secret management (Azure Key Vault), stateless design and containerisation best practices.

 * Mentorship: Coach junior and mid-level developers through code reviews, pairing and technical guidance, and help build a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

 * Quality: Work with the QA Lead to embed automated testing (unit, integration, contract) into the standard delivery pipeline.