Lead Engineers (Applications)

Salary: PO4 £46,142 – £49,282

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Full Time

Location: Hybrid – Home and Office based at Merrion House / Apex Centre as required.

Leeds City Council is transforming local public services by putting technology at the heart of the organisation. The Integrated Digital Service (IDS) works across Leeds City Council and the Integrated Care Board (Leeds) to deliver services in the health and care sector and local authority. IDS is improving service delivery, using user research to inform technology solutions that are accessible, easy to use and reliable. The team is innovating and changing services by investing in automation through technologies such as the Power Platform and RPA. Join the growing team within a city renowned for excellence in the digital sector.

About the Role

Integrated Digital Service (IDS) is seeking to appoint two Lead Engineers to work in one of its application teams. The applications environment is a complex mix of new and legacy third‑party applications and in‑house developments. There is a range of on‑premise to cloud‑hosted offerings and the direction of travel is towards cloud solutions. Both candidates must have experience with Power Platform and RPA implementation, including governance within a local authority. As a Lead Engineer you will have extensive application support knowledge as well as line‑management responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure support call queues are effectively managed and issues resolved.
• Mentor junior staff and manage team in line with Local Authority policies.
• Ensure work of the team aligns with the Core Service Offering and templated approaches.
• Embed best practice and templated approach to delivery of core service offering.
• Lead or take responsibility on large‑scale or complex pieces of work.
• Provide input into planning of major projects that require application engineering input.
• Support resolution of Remedy queues and monitoring supplier performance.
• Establish estimates for application support and new functionality.
• Support conversion of business requirements into system roadmaps.
• Act independently and present realistic options based on current information.

Essential Requirements

• Systems Management – Proficient in designing and implementing processes for effective systems management.
• Compliance – In‑depth understanding of compliance legislation and its implementation.
• User Management – Proficient in establishing and maintaining role‑based access controls.
• Change & Release Management – Highly experienced in application of DIS and change management processes.
• Environment Management – Extensive experience managing system environments and resolving issues.
• Upgrades & Patching – Extensive experience leading system upgrades.
• Incident Management – Highly experienced in managing and overseeing incidents to resolution.
• Testing Activities – In‑depth knowledge and experience with testing approaches for supported systems.
• Data Management – Extensive experience in data management ensuring compliance with retention and disposal rules.
• Supplier & Contract Management – Proficient in effective supplier and contract management.
• Legal & Statutory – In‑depth understanding of legal and statutory requirements for supported systems.
• Operational Integrity – Proficient in DR testing, security assessments, and corrective actions.
• Lifecycle Planning – Extensive experience identifying and devising plans for system roadmaps.
• Application Governance – Proficient in leading impact assessments and validating system changes.

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas.
• Understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Carry out all duties with regard to health, safety and wellbeing.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change.
• Support equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation and abuse.
• Work within the flexibility protocol set by the Council.

Desirable Requirements

• Project Management Concepts – Experienced in planning and delivery using Waterfall and Agile.
• Business Knowledge & Workflow Concepts – Understanding of business processes behind supported systems.
• Database Schemas – Oracle / SQL proficiency in understanding schemas.
• SQL Developer Tools – In‑depth experience using SQL Developer.
• File Formats – In‑depth experience with different file formats of applications.
• Integration Mechanisms – Extensive experience implementing and maintaining system integrations.
• Non‑.Net Languages – C#, HTML – Proficient in relevant programming languages.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
• Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Range of staff benefits to support wellbeing and personal finance.

How to Apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

Shortlisted candidates will receive a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans, LGBT+, ethnic diversity, disabled and care‑experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or through another relevant work visa. Sponsorship requirements apply if necessary.

Job Purpose – The Lead Software Engineer will provide technical leadership and expertise in the design, development and delivery of solutions related to technologies in Leeds City Council. They will set development standards and ensure solutions are secure, scalable and aligned to business needs.

Seniority

Mid‑Senior level – Lead Engineer – PO4.

Employment Type

Full‑time.