Lead Java Tech Role- 3 month Contract

I'm looking for a Lead Backend Software Engineer to shape backend architecture, drive engineering excellence, and guide teams building high‑performance digital products used at scale. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll influence technical strategy, mentor engineers, and ensure backend systems are robust, secure, and future‑ready.

What you’ll be doing
Lead backend architecture – Define and evolve scalable, secure, high‑performance backend systems
Set engineering standards – Champion best practices, secure coding (OWASP), and high‑quality delivery
Hands‑on technical contribution – Support critical backend work and review complex code
Guide teams & mentor engineers – Facilitate design discussions, code reviews, and technical decision‑making
Improve tooling & CI/CD – Enhance pipelines, build processes, and operational workflows
Drive continuous improvement – Reduce technical debt and introduce modern backend approaches
Support compliance – Ensure systems align with standards such as ISO27001 and PCIWhat we’re looking for
Strong backend engineering experience with Java (11+) & Spring Boot
Event‑driven architecture expertise – Kafka or similar
Cloud experience – ideally AWS; Kubernetes knowledge beneficial
Deep understanding of microservices, REST APIs & distributed systems
Experience with SQL/NoSQL databases
Strong CI/CD, automated testing & DevOps awareness
Ability to influence technical direction across teams
Comfortable communicating technical risks to non‑technical stakeholdersHybrid working- London or Newcastle

3 month rolling contract 
Outside IR35