Senior Software Enginner

Lead Backend Software Engineer – Data ServicesFederated Data Services | Distributed Systems | Apache Spark | Data Fusion | Python | KubernetesLocation: London (2 days per week onsite)Rate: £700–£800 per day (Outside IR35)Duration: Initial 6-month contract with likely extensionOverviewWe're looking for an experienced Lead Backend Software Engineer to join a high-profile programme building secure, cloud-native data services that will support data-driven research and innovation at national scale.

This is a founding engineering role, offering the opportunity to shape the architecture, engineering standards, and core data services from the ground up. Working closely with the Engineering Manager and a small team of senior engineers, you'll establish the technical foundations for a complex federated data platform operating within a highly regulated environment.

We're looking for someone who enjoys building from first principles, thrives in ambiguity, and can balance strategic architectural thinking with hands-on software engineering. This role is centred around designing and building distributed data services rather than traditional application development.Role & Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of scalable, cloud-native data services supporting a federated platform.
• Define architectural patte...