Full Stack Developer

£500-£540 per day | Outside IR35

Java | Spring Boot | React | TypeScript | Secure Digital Platforms

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Full Stack Developer to help build and deliver secure, modern digital capabilities within a Defence environment.

You'll work across both frontend and backend development, contributing to scalable services, APIs and intuitive user interfaces. Working closely with UX Designers, Product, Engineering and Defence stakeholders, you'll help turn complex operational requirements into reliable, user-focused technology.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Full Stack Developer who enjoys working across the technology stack and wants to contribute to high-profile, mission-critical digital programmes within a highly secure environment.

About the Programme

The programme is delivering a next-generation Defence Intelligence capability designed to improve visibility of operational information, streamline workflows, reduce administrative burden and support faster, more informed decision-making.

The development environment combines modern frontend technologies, secure backend services, cloud-native engineering and integration with existing Defence systems.

As a Full Stack Developer, you'll have the opportunity to contribute across the complete application lifecycle, from technical design and development through to testing, deployment and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain secure full stack applications using Java, Spring Boot, React and TypeScript.
• Develop scalable backend services and secure RESTful APIs.
• Build intuitive, accessible and responsive frontend applications.
• Develop reusable frontend components aligned with established design system principles.
• Integrate frontend applications with backend APIs, workflow services and identity/access mechanisms.
• Design and implement data persistence using SQL and NoSQL technologies.
• Develop integrations with enterprise data sources and existing Defence systems.
• Contribute to cloud-native deployment, containerisation and CI/CD pipelines.
• Implement secure coding practices, logging, monitoring and audit capabilities.
• Write automated tests across frontend and backend components.
• Participate in technical design workshops, code reviews and agile ceremonies.
• Work closely with UX Designers, Product, Engineering and Defence stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement of application performance, usability, reliability and security.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven full stack development experience within MOD, Defence, National Security or similarly secure environments.
• Strong Java development experience.
• Strong Spring Boot experience.
• Strong React and TypeScript development experience.
• Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs.
• Experience with SQL and/or NoSQL databases.
• Experience building responsive, accessible and maintainable user interfaces.
• Experience with Git and modern software development practices.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes or other container technologies.
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience working within agile, multidisciplinary delivery teams.
• Strong understanding of secure software development and scalable application architecture.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with workflow orchestration technologies such as Camunda, Zeebe or BPMN.
• Experience with OpenSearch or Elasticsearch.
• Experience with MongoDB, Microsoft SQL Server, Amazon RDS or similar database technologies.
• Experience working with AWS, MODCloud, Tanzu, EKS or other cloud-native environments.
• Experience with event-driven architectures and asynchronous messaging.
• Experience with secure authentication, identity management and role-based access control.
• Experience with Istio, mTLS or service mesh technologies.
• Experience developing applications for classified or highly regulated environments.
• Experience integrating search, semantic or knowledge-based capabilities.
• Figma experience or close collaboration with UX and design teams.

Mandatory Requirements

• Current DV Security Clearance.
• Ability to work onsite at an MOD location in London four days per week.
• Previous experience delivering within MOD, Defence, Defence Intelligence, Strategic Command or wider National Security organisations.
• Comfortable working with OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE and classified material where authorised.

Ways of Working

• Agile delivery within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Close collaboration with Defence stakeholders, Product, Delivery, UX and Engineering colleagues.
• Secure-by-design approach with a strong focus on audit, traceability, access control and assurance.
• Collaborative approach to technical design, development, testing and continuous improvement.
• Practical focus on delivering reliable, maintainable and user-focused technology.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in Full Stack Developers who can demonstrate:

• Successful delivery of secure software solutions within MOD or Defence environments.
• Strong hands-on experience across both frontend and backend development.
• The ability to design and develop robust APIs, services and user interfaces.
• Strong understanding of modern software engineering and cloud-native development.
• Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A practical understanding of agile delivery and multidisciplinary team working.
• Awareness of secure system delivery, accreditation considerations and operational governance.

Rate: £500-£540 per day (Outside IR35)

Location: London (4 days onsite)

Clearance: Current DV Security Clearance required