Software Engineering Lead

We’re the UK's largest ports operator with a network of 19 ports around Britain. We handle around one quarter of the UK's seaborne trade and contribute £7.5 billion to our economy every year.

It’s a story we’re proud of but it doesn’t end there. We’re transforming our business and embracing the future.

We offer a vast range of roles spanning the UK, all rooted in a culture that welcomes diversity, fosters talent, encourages internal movement and progression, and places safety as our number one priority.

Shape the Future of Software Engineering at ABP

We're looking for an experienced Software Engineering Lead to lead and evolve ABP's in-house software development capability. This is a highly influential leadership role for someone who combines strong engineering expertise with excellent stakeholder management and a passion for delivering business value through technology.

You'll act as a trusted technology partner to the business, working closely with Product Owners, Solution Managers, Enterprise Architecture, Cyber Security, and senior stakeholders to ensure we build the right solutions and deliver them in the right way.

You'll lead a team of software developers, oversee critical applications and integrations, and play a key role in shaping how software development (including AI-assisted) is adopted across the organisation.

Based from any of our major UK port locations and operating within our hybrid working model, you'll report directly to the Head of Enterprise Applications and work alongside other Enterprise Applications Leads to deliver ABP's technology strategy.

Why Should You Make ABP Your First Port Of Call?

-  Have the chance to make a difference in a business critical to UK trade

-  Work within an exciting, innovative, growing business.

-  You can thrive in an inclusive environment where every individual can be themselves and feel respected

-  Receive competitive salary and benefits package

-  Get support for training, personal development and further education

-  Benefit from support and engagement through dedicated management and leadership

The Opportunity

The Software Engineering Lead is responsible for ABP's software engineering capability, covering:

• Bespoke internally-developed business applications.
• Internal and customer-facing websites and portals.
• Enterprise integrations and APIs.
• Legacy application modernisation programmes.
• AI-assisted and agentic software development tooling.
• Third-party development, support and SaaS partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Software Engineering team, including contractors and third-party resources.
• Create a high-performing engineering culture focused on accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build strong engineering capability, ensuring developers maintain critical design, debugging, architecture and problem-solving skills alongside AI-assisted tooling.

• Define and communicate the technical vision, engineering standards and development practices for software engineering across ABP.
• Own the software engineering roadmap and align development activity with strategic business priorities.
• Introduce and maintain a specification-first approach, ensuring requirements, acceptance criteria and design decisions are clearly documented before development begins.

• Lead the rollout and governance of AI-assisted software development tooling such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot and similar platforms.

• Own the quality, performance, security and roadmap of ABP's internally developed applications and websites.
• Lead the delivery and support of internal and customer-facing digital platforms.

• Manage third-party development, support and SaaS suppliers.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Significant software engineering experience, including demonstrable experience leading software engineering teams.
• Proven management experience leading software developers, engineering teams, contractors and technical specialists.
• Strong track record of delivering business-critical software development initiatives within complex enterprise environments.
• Experience operating in an internal customer or business-partnering role, translating business needs into successful technology outcomes.
• Sufficient hands-on expertise in .NET and C# to review designs, challenge technical decisions and guide engineering teams.
• Experience delivering and supporting bespoke business applications, websites and integrations.
• Experience modernising and transforming legacy application estates.
• Practical experience of AI-assisted development tools such as Claude Code, GitHub Copilot or Cursor.

We offer a competitive salary, contributory pension from day one (Starting at 3% employee contribution with 5% company match), private healthcare, access to our Employee Assistance Program, 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays – plus the option to purchase additional days), wide range of discounts and cash back with high street and online retailers. We offer an inclusive work environment with an in-house training academy which offers ongoing opportunities to develop your skills. 

If you're an experienced engineering leader with a passion for delivering high-quality software, leading teams through change, driving Agile delivery, and helping organisations adopt modern engineering and AI-enabled development practices, we'd love to hear from you.

Want to see what it’s like to work for the UK’s largest port operator? Our virtual work experience programme gives you an inside look at trade, sustainability, safety, and careers in one of the UK’s most vital indutries- https://www.talentxp.co.uk/track/e2e029cd

Additional Information:

When joining ABP you will find an environment that is both welcoming and challenging. We reward our employees well and offer a generous remuneration package, employer pension, private health insurance and a range of other benefits.

Please note that ABP undertake random screening for substance abuse and operate a zero-tolerance policy. A medical will be required before starting this position also.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their background, which helps us to provide a diverse and inclusive working environment.

As part of our recruitment process, all successful candidates will be subject to pre-employment screening to Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Please note your consent will be required and further information on this check can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels