POD Lead (Kotlin/Java) - #2098695

Job Overview:
We are hiring a POD Lead (Kotlin/Java) to provide day-to-day technical leadership within an agile engineering team, working closely with the Tech Lead to deliver high-quality outcomes at pace. This is a hands-on role involving backend development, microservices, API design, team mentoring, backlog refinement, and end-to-end ownership of delivery, including resolving blockers and prioritisation.

* Location: Sheffield (Hybrid - 3 days on-site mandatory)
* Daily Rate: £525 per day (Inside IR 35)
* Contract Length: 6 months
* Start Date: ASAP

Key Responsibilities:
* Provide day-to-day technical leadership for an agile engineering team, support the Tech Lead, own end-to-end delivery including resolving blockers and prioritisation, and proactively engage with customers/users to resolve issues and reduce operational pain.
* Lead backlog refinement (break epics/features into user stories, define acceptance criteria, identify dependencies) and support sprint planning by shaping technical approaches, identifying spikes, and helping estimation.
* Design, develop and implement backend features using Kotlin/Java APIs and services, with a small element of UI work using a simple HTML/JavaScript framework.
* Build and evolve microservices, REST APIs and event-driven solutions (Kafka or similar), applying engineering best practices such as error handling, logging, resilience and security-by-design.
* Collaborate with the Tech Lead on architecture and design decisions, document trade-offs, and design/build end-to-end in-house solutions from ideation through development, testing and ongoing support.
* Drive engineering excellence by coaching the team on clean code, TDD, secure coding, maintainable design, leading peer reviews and ensuring strong quality standards.
*Work within an agile CI/CD environment with automation and quality gates, collaborate with developers/testers/stakeholders, and troubleshoot production issues with strong analytical skills.

Key Requirements:
* Strong Kotlin experience or significant Java experience with willingness to learn Kotlin, along with strong expertise in microservices, REST APIs, SQL/databases, and event-driven architectures such as Kafka.
* Experience as a Senior/Lead Engineer in an agile delivery team with proven ability to refine and decompose work, manage dependencies, remove blockers, and support sprint execution.
* Hands-on experience in at least two or three areas: API development, SQL/databases, HTML/JavaScript, along with strong technical troubleshooting and production support mindset.
* Experience using developer collaboration tools such as GitHub/Bit bucket, Jira, and Confluence.
* Excellent written and spoken English with an ability to communicate technical decisions clearly, combined with strong interpersonal and collaborative skills across engineering, testing, product and stakeholders.

Additional Information:
* Interview Process: Initial screening call followed by a virtual interview with hiring managers

How to Apply:If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

Hays Talent Solutions is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk