Lead Software Engineer

Lead Software Engineer - Manchester City Centre - Up to £70k I'm working with a Manchester-based financial services organisation that is looking for a Lead Software Engineer to take technical ownership of key systems and lead a growing engineering team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced full-stack engineer who enjoys staying hands-on while also shaping architecture, setting technical direction, and mentoring engineers in a purpose-driven environment.

The Opportunity You'll lead a small, highly skilled team of engineers, working closely with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to deliver robust, scalable, and high-performing software solutions. Reporting into the Head of Engineering, you'll play a pivotal role in defining architectural standards, driving innovation, and ensuring systems support long-term business strategy. This role blends hands-on development, technical leadership, and people management, with exposure to modern cloud-based technologies and mission-critical systems.

Key Responsibilities You will be responsible for:
Leading and mentoring a team of software engineers, supporting delivery and professional development Providing technical ownership of architecture, design decisions, and engineering best practices Designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality, resilient, and performant software solutions Working closely with stakeholders to interpret requirements and translate them into technical solutions Offering technical guidance and problem-solving support across the engineering function Effectively managing priorities and balancing hands-on delivery with leadership responsibilities Tech Stack & Experience Core technologies: C# / .NET

/ ASP.NET MVC SQL Server Microsoft Azure (including cloud-native services) JavaScript / Type Script React (or similar modern JS frameworks) Additional technologies you'll encounter:
Docker Dev Ops tooling and CI/CD pipelines Linux / Power Shell Git What They're Looking For At least 5 years' commercial software engineering experience Previous experience leading or mentoring a software development team Strong full-stack background within the Microsoft ecosystem Solid understanding of unit testing and Agile delivery practices Experience working on business-critical or 24/7 systems Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills Salary & Benefits Up to £70,000 basic salary, depending on experience Up to 25 days' annual leave  bank holidays Your birthday off , every year Healthcare cash plan Contributory pension scheme (matched up to 5%) Life assurance Cycle to work scheme

Why This Role?

This is a standout opportunity for a technical leader who wants real influence over architecture and engineering standards, while remaining close to the code. You'll join a values-led organisation with a strong focus on inclusion, collaboration, and long-term impact, where technology plays a central role in delivering meaningful outcomes. If you're open to a confidential discussion, apply now and I'll be in touch.

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