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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Developer (Java) - **Company:** United Kingdom Government - **Location:** Cardiff, UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £68,000.0 - £108,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Amazon S3, Applications Architecture, Acceptance Test-Driven Development, Cloud Computing, Software Design Documents, Software Design Patterns, Data Flow Control, High-Level Architecture, Java Web Services, MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle (Applications), RabbitMQ, Redis, Secure Coding, Software Engineering, Data Streaming, Systems Integration, UML, Generative AI, Kubernetes, Apache Kafka, Non-relational Database, Restful APIs, Docker, Microservices - **Published:** October 18, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5932040818 ## About the Role * Demonstrable experience producing detailed designs for complex, secure and resilient Java services, and acting as an application architect for enterprise-scale Java solutions. * Strong Java engineering background, including experience with REST APIs, Spring (Boot/Cloud), Redis, Kubernetes, Docker, Kafka or RabbitMQ, and relational and non-relational databases such as MySQL, Oracle and MongoDB. * Experience translating high-level designs into detailed implementation designs for enterprise-scale Java microservices, including APIs, integrations, data flows and security controls on AWS technologies such as S3, EC2 and EKS. * Strong knowledge of enterprise-scale microservice architecture, cloud-native systems and distributed design patterns. * Experience leading developers through complex problem-solving and integration challenges. * Experience using UML techniques, including sequence diagrams and data-flow diagrams. * Ability to make and clearly communicate pragmatic technical decisions across teams and stakeholders. * Strong stakeholder-management skills and experience collaborating with Business Analysis, Delivery Managers, Product Managers and business representatives. * Personal qualities: proactive and self-driven; strategic and pragmatic; design-led; strong technical judgement; quality- and resilience-focused; influential; governance- and assurance-minded; hands-on and credible; collaborative; committed to coaching and continuous improvement; outcome-focused; and resilient under pressure. * Generative AI technology for software engineering, awareness of product ways of working, and HMRC Borders and Trade domain knowledge are desirable. * The role may involve occasional work outside normal office hours and participation in a 24/7 on-call rota. * Successful candidates must meet the roles security requirements, including Security Check (SC) clearance. The advert states that this normally requires five years UK residency before the vetting application; updated nationality and residency requirements apply from 1 April 2026. * The advert states that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not available and lists nationality and eligibility requirements for Civil Service applicants. ## Description * Set technical strategy and direction, ensuring architecture, tooling and design choices support scalable, secure, high-quality services. * Provide expert technical judgement and act as an escalation point for complex or high-risk issues, guiding teams towards robust solutions. * Act as design authority for service changes and ensure implementations align with HMRC Enterprise Architecture Patterns. * Oversee the full build, run and improve lifecycle, keeping services resilient, compliant and aligned with user and business needs. * Lead and support developers by delegating technical work, contributing to planning, reviewing solution approaches and ensuring delivery meets expected quality. * Embed secure-by-design principles, assure security compliance, and ensure risks are understood and mitigated. * Lead low-level solution design and technical decision-making for complex, large-scale services; create design documents and architectural diagrams, and review or challenge design choices. * Lead delivery of high-quality software that meets user needs, overseeing clean, secure code developed using a test-driven approach. * Lead solution design for non-functional requirements, including resilience, performance, scalability and observability. * Ensure services meet performance and design standards and influence technology choices across teams. * Contribute to robust, accurately estimated project plans, including risks and mitigations. * Make and record effective decisions in line with appropriate decision-making frameworks and guidance. * Collaborate with partners across the delivery lifecycle to support delivery and operation of high-quality software products. Technologies: * AI * AWS * Architect * Cloud * Docker * EC2 * Flow * Support * Java * Kafka * Kubernetes * MongoDB * MySQL * Oracle * REST * RabbitMQ * Redis * Security * Spring * UML * microservices * LESS * PLC, We are HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), a large, digitally focused government department building a modern digital tax administration. Our Chief Digital and Information Office sets technology direction, designs IT solutions, builds and runs services, and provides change and operational support. This Lead Developer role is in the Borders and Trade Delivery Group, which manages and develops more than 140 services. You will work in a collaborative delivery team alongside business analysts, testers and product owners. The role is available in Bristol, Leeds, Salford, Telford, Worthing, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow; the Telford Plaza site is expected to move to Parkside Court in the future. Salary is £58,541-£72,711 per year, with new entrants joining at the minimum of the pay band. We offer flexible and hybrid working, with colleagues generally expected to spend 60% of working time in the office and, where the role and home environment allow, up to two days a week working from home. Benefits include a Civil Service defined-benefit pension, leave starting at 25 days and increasing to 30, family-friendly policies, personal support, coaching and development. Recruitment uses Success Profiles and assesses experience and behaviours; the process includes an additional timed assessment, application statements and a video interview. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months.