Software Development Manager

Location of role Abingdon, UK

Department Translational Medicine

Key Responsibilities As a recognised subject matter expert within software engineering, the Software Development Manager leads the design, delivery and continuous improvement of bespoke, production-quality software solutions, including the technical integration of connected systems, to enable scientific data management and analysis across the organisation. The role provides technical direction and mentorship to the software development team, translates scientific requirements into scalable operational solutions, and contributes to departmental strategy and the technology roadmap. The post-holder incumbent exercises independent judgement on complex technical challenges, influences cross-functional stakeholders, and ensures that engineering standards, practices and outcomes align with company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and own the software development lifecycle within the Data Science team, driving the design, build and release of high-quality, production-ready applications and integrations.
• Set technical direction, architecture standards and engineering best practices for software development within the team, providing expert guidance on methodology, tooling and design choices.
• Manage, mentor and develop junior and intermediate software developers.
• Drive continuous improvement across development processes, workflows and delivery practices, modelling positive change.
• Act as the subject matter expert and go-to resource for software development queries across the department, coaching colleagues and supporting knowledge sharing.
• Translate defined scientific and business requirements into operational development plans, working collaboratively with scientific and technical colleagues to ensure solutions are fit for purpose and delivered against agreed priorities.
• Provide input into departmental strategy and the technology roadmap for data science and software infrastructure, translating strategic plans into operational processes.
• Provide clear technical guidance and recommendations to colleagues across scientific, data science and technology functions.
• Oversee code quality, review practices and standards adherence across the team, facilitating thorough code reviews and embedding a culture of engineering excellence.
• Direct the design, development and maintenance of production-quality modules using Python/Django and/or JavaScript/React/HTML/CSS, retaining hands-on technical leadership where appropriate.
• Support the build and maintenance of analysis pipelines by providing software engineering expertise, ensuring they meet production quality and scalability standards.
• Apply strong knowledge of relational databases and SQL (Postgres/MySQL) to support efficient data storage, retrieval and migration, collaborating with the wider team on database design and legacy system management.
• Line-manage software developers, setting clear objectives and priorities, managing performance and development, providing constructive feedback and appropriate learning opportunities.

Essential

EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Substantial professional software development experience (typically 8+ years or equivalent), with demonstrated expertise in Python/Django and/or JavaScript/React/HTML/CSS for building and delivering production web applications.
• Strong understanding of relational databases and expert-level SQL (Postgres/MySQL), including data modelling, performance and migration practices.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring or managing software development projects or personnel, with the ability to provide clear direction and develop others.
• Proven ability to translate complex scientific or business requirements into scalable, maintainable software solutions.
• Recognised subject matter expert within software engineering, with deep technical acumen and broad awareness of interrelationships across disciplines.
• Experience providing technical direction, establishing standards and driving best practices across a development team.
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills; able to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences and present confidently at senior levels.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with minimal oversight, exercise independent judgement within broadly defined practices, and drive resolutions on complex technical challenges.
• Experience working in cross-functional, multi-disciplinary environments (e.g. scientific, data science or clinical settings).
• Commitment to continuous professional development and keeping abreast of emerging technologies, methodologies and industry trends.

Desirable

• Experience managing or leading a team of software developers, including performance management and development planning.
• Bioinformatics, data science or scientific computing background enabling fluency with biological data workflows and scientific software.
• Experience contributing to or influencing technology or data strategy at a departmental or organisational level.
• Proficiency in version control best practices and modern software delivery (Git, CI/CD pipelines).
• Experience with cloud platforms, particularly AWS, and designing scalable, cloud-native solutions.
• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum delivery methodologies.
• Knowledge of software testing frameworks and a commitment to quality through automated testing.
• Experience in pharma, biotech or a regulated scientific environment.
• Interest in cancer, immunology, molecular biology or genetics.
• Familiarity with containerisation and orchestration technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience working with AI-assisted coding tools (e.g. GitHub Copilot, Cursor or equivalent) and an openness to embedding these into software development workflows.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES

• Openness and honesty
• Readily offering information pertaining to work in hand whether positive or negative.
• Taking responsibility
• Being prepared to accept full responsibility for tasks entrusted to them; seeing tasks through to completion and dealing with the consequences of failure or success.
• Flexibility
• Being flexible to new ideas and approaches; changes of plans, objectives and/or priorities. Handling disjointed tasks effectively.
• Team spirit
• Being able to work productively with others to achieve tasks. Showing consideration for the needs and feelings of others.

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor's degree relevant to scientific computing, computer science, or a related discipline and/or 8+ years of relevant professional experience.

About the Company Immunocore (NASDAQ: IMCR) is a pioneering, commercial-stage T cell receptor biotechnology company whose purpose is to develop and commercialize a new generation of transformative medicines which address unmet patient needs in oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune disease. Our leaders in R&D are internationally recognised as some of the biotech industry’s most successful drug developers. We are creating not just an environment where great minds can interact but an innovation powerhouse answering the big questions.

Focused on delivering first-in-class biological therapies to patients, we have developed a highly innovative soluble TCR platform. Our ImmTAX molecules underpin a new generation of precision engineered drugs that harness the immune system to treat a broad spectrum of diseases with high unmet medical need, including oncology, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.

At Immunocore, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We value the unique contributions each person brings to our team. By embracing Science, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Entrepreneurship (STRIDE), we create an environment where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and transformative changes happen. STRIDE represents more than just letters; it embodies our shared identity and drives our mission. We are dedicated to developing breakthrough therapies that transform patients’ lives, advancing medicine, and supporting one another in these pursuits.

Immunocore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As such, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.