Backend & DevOps Lead

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Backend Tech Lead to provide technical leadership across backend engineering and DevOps within the VFIE Digital Engineering Team. This role is responsible for shaping the technical strategy, architecture, and engineering standards that underpin the delivery of scalable, secure, and high-performing backend platforms aligned with Vodafone's technology standards & and TM Forum Open APIs. Working closely with Product Owners, Solution Architects, Engineering Managers, and cross-functional teams, the Backend Tech Lead will drive technical direction, ensure engineering excellence, and support the successful delivery of modern cloud-native solutions. In addition to remaining hands-on with software development where required, the role will mentor engineering teams, establish best practices, and provide technical leadership throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring solutions are robust, maintainable, and aligned with strategic business objectives. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Chapter Development Provide technical leadership / mentorship to a team of software engineers, DevOps engineers, Product Owner, and Delivery Lead. Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional growth, and knowledge sharing across the digital engineering chapter. Shape career development paths and provide coaching for engineers to help them flourish in their roles. Collaborate with senior leadership (Head of Digital Engineering, IT Director) to align engineering strategy with business objectives. Engineering & DevOps Delivery Own the design, architecture, development, and evolution of scalable, resilient, and secure backend services, microservices, and APIs. Define and maintain the technical architecture for backend platforms, ensuring alignment with TM Forum Open APIs and enterprise architecture standards. Guide technical and architectural decisions in collaboration with architects, senior engineers, and stakeholders, translating business requirements into robust technical solutions. Drive engineering excellence through coding standards, code reviews, technical governance, software quality practices, and continuous improvement. Lead the implementation and maturity of DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), cloud-native development, deployment automation, observability, and site reliability engineering (SRE). Define and promote best practices for API design, microservices architecture, cloud-native development, monitoring, and operational excellence. Ensure all solutions meet security, compliance, performance, scalability, reliability, maintainability, and operational resilience requirements. Support technical planning, solution estimation, backlog refinement, and delivery governance to ensure predictable execution. Mentor and coach backend engineers, fostering technical capability, knowledge sharing, and a culture of continuous learning. Act as the technical authority for backend engineering, providing leadership, resolving complex technical challenges, and driving adoption of modern engineering practices. Collaboration & Ways of Working Work closely with the platform Product Owner, Architects, DevOps engineers, and Delivery Lead to ensure product roadmaps are delivered effectively and efficiently. Act as a bridge between business and technology, ensuring engineering output aligns with customer and business needs. Establish and track engineering KPIs and DevOps metrics (e.g., deployment frequency, MTTR, release stability) to drive performance improvements. Skills & Experience Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field. Extensive experience developing enterprise-grade backend applications using Java. Strong knowledge of Java ecosystem, Spring Framework, Spring Boot, and microservices architecture. Solid understanding of TM Forum Open APIs and experience implementing TMF-compliant solutions. Strong knowledge of REST APIs, OpenAPI specifications, JSON, XML, and API lifecycle management. Experience designing distributed systems with high availability, scalability, and resilience. Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, Clean Architecture, and Domain-Driven Design. Experience with relational and NoSQL databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, SQL). Strong knowledge of CI/CD practices and tools such as Jenkins, SonarQube, Nexus, Git, and automated testing frameworks. Experience with containerization technologies (Docker) and orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes/OpenShift. Good understanding of Infrastructure as Code, deployment automation, observability, logging, and monitoring. Knowledge of security best practices for enterprise backend applications. Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Ability to influence technical decisions across multiple teams. Proven mentoring and technical leadership capabilities. Strong ownership, accountability, and delivery mindset. Ability to balance hands-on development with technical leadership responsibilities. What We Offer A leadership role with influence across engineering, DevOps, and digital delivery. Opportunity to shape the microservices & API ecosystem of a growing digital business. Hybrid/remote flexibility. The flexibility to work how you perform best, with hybrid ways of working and real focus on work-life balance A competitive package including salary, bonus and a strong pension to support you now and long-term ‘’Generous’’ flexible benefits allowance, plus access to comprehensive health and wellbeing support Access to our on-site wellness centre and gym, alongside a wider wellbeing programme Free mobile plan, device offers and exclusive discounts for you, your family and friends Market-leading family policies and flexibility to support you at every stage of life Real opportunities for career growth through learning, development and internal progression Who we are We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people’s lives and the world around us. Through our technology, we empower people — connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live — and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same. Belonging at Vodafone isn’t a concept; it’s lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You’ll be part of a global and diverse community with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. We’re committed to increasing diversity, ensuring equal representation, and making Vodafone a place where everyone feels safe, valued and included. Vodafone is committed to supporting candidates with disabilities during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments, please let us know. Together we can. #LI-JB1