Software Developer jobs in Scotland

LEAD DEVELOPER TECHNICAL

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Reference number: 452037

Total Package: £57,500

Contract: Permanent/Full time

Location: East Kilbride

We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and Hanslope Park in Milton Keynes.

Your role with us

We’re looking for a Lead Developer Technical to join the Digital Products and Services Department. We design, build and continuously improve digital products and services that enable the FCDO to operate effectively. Our work spans corporate functions and global platforms that support foreign policy, diplomacy and development aid. And our aim is to provide the best user experience.

We’re a relatively new team – building core capabilities to help the FCDO become more digitally enabled. We’re transitioning internal systems, expanding the scope of what we have, and landing new digital products. Our aim is for digital services to provide the best user experience.

As Lead Developer Technical, you’ll design, run and improve software to meet user needs. This includes writing clean, secure code following a test-driven approach. You’ll create code that is open by default and easy for others to reuse. Plus, you’ll mentor other developers, so that best practice is continuously followed through. You will set technical direction – making important decisions on software architecture, ensuring solutions are scalable, maintainable and aligned with organisational goals.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with strong technical leadership and hands-on expertise across

modern programming languages, frameworks, and tools, frontend and back‑end software. You’re always focused on meeting organisational and user needs.

You confidently deliver and maintain software using modern engineering practices - including CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and automated deployment - enabling reliable, frequent releases.

Strong analysis and problem-solving skills are key. Not only are you able to identify complex technical issues and find a solution, you’re also able to communicate these clearly to non-technical experts. Importantly, you can manage competing priorities and deadlines in an agile environment.

To your team, you’ll bring the ability to lead and provide constructive feedback. You’re ready to be part of environment that fosters collaboration, high-performance, and inclusivity.

You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you. This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

We value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from all communities. Everyone here gets the support to develop their skills and capabilities as well as benefits that help to make the most of life in and out of work, including a Civil Service pension.

Use your talent and experience to shape our nation’s future, and deliver tangible improvements to millions of lives, including your own.

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 13th July 2026.

Pay: £57,500.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in East Kilbride South