Job Vacancy Software Development Lead (SC Clearance)
Leatherhead
CGI
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At CGI, we help deliver complex, mission-critical technology that supports some of the UK's most important Space, Defence and Intelligence programmes. As a Software Development Lead, you'll play a key role in shaping and delivering innovative solutions on one of our largest and longest-running projects. Combining hands-on engineering with technical leadership, you'll take ownership of high-quality software delivery, guide a talented team and solve challenging technical problems. You'll have the freedom to influence engineering decisions, explore better ways of working and make a meaningful impact, supported by a collaborative community of experts committed to your development and success.
CGI was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025 and has been named a UK ‘Best Employer’ by the Financial Times. We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, plus a share scheme (3.5% + 3.5% matching) which makes you a CGI Partner not just an employee. We are committed to inclusivity, building a genuinely diverse community of tech talent and inspiring everyone to pursue careers in our sector, including our Armed Forces, and are proud to hold a Gold Award in recognition of our support of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. Join us and you’ll be part of an open, friendly community of experts. We’ll train and support you in taking your career wherever you want it to go.
Due to the secure nature of the programme, you must already hold UK Security Clearance (SC). This is a hybrid position based in Leatherhead, requiring on-site attendance for part of the week and occasional travel to locations along the M3/M4 corridor.
Candidate profile
• Lead & Inspire: Provide technical leadership, coaching and day-to-day guidance to a team of approximately 10 Software Engineers.
• Develop & Deliver: Remain hands-on with Java and C++ development, delivering enhancements, fixes and new capabilities.
• Drive Engineering Excellence: Champion code quality, peer reviews, automated testing, CI/CD and DevOps best practices.
• Solve & Innovate: Investigate complex technical challenges, troubleshoot issues and develop pragmatic, effective solutions.
• Plan & Coordinate: Work with Project Managers to estimate, prioritise and deliver development work packages while managing risks and dependencies.
• Collaborate & Align: Partner with the Design Authority, Test, Infrastructure and other engineering teams to ensure solutions align with wider programme objectives.
• Mentor & Develop: Support recruitment, onboarding, technical development and knowledge sharing to build a high-performing engineering team.
• Improve & Optimise: Identify opportunities to enhance development processes, maintain technical documentation and continuously improve software delivery.
Required qualifications to be successful in this role
• Technical Leadership: Proven experience leading or providing technical direction to software engineering teams, including mentoring and coaching developers.
• Java & C++ Development: Strong hands-on programming experience in both Java and C++, with the ability to review and guide complex implementations.
• Database Technologies: Practical experience working with SQL databases.
• CI/CD & DevOps: Strong experience with continuous integration, deployment pipelines and development tools such as Git and Jenkins.
• Software Development Lifecycle: Comprehensive experience across software design, development, integration, testing and defect resolution.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with experience resolving complex software and system issues.
• Engineering Best Practices: Proven ability to promote code quality, automated testing, peer reviews and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and experience working with Project Managers, technical authorities and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Delivery Focus: Ability to balance hands-on development with team leadership, manage competing priorities and adapt to evolving technical requirements.
• Security Clearance: Must already hold UK Security Clearance (SC).
• Location & Flexibility: Ability to work on-site in Leatherhead for part of the week, with occasional travel along the M3/M4 corridor.
Working environment
Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you’ll reach your full potential because…
You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That’s why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company’s strategy and direction.
Your work creates value. You’ll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.
You’ll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You’ll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.
That same commitment to fairness extends to how we use technology. To support our recruitment team, AI tools may be used to help assess applications though they never replace human judgement. All hiring decisions remain entirely in the hands of our recruitment professionals.
Come join our team—one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.
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Software Development Lead (SC Clearance)
CGI