Senior Software Developer
Job description
- Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: Digital Advantage - Cyber
- Type of role: Digital, Information Technology, Science
- Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
- Number of jobs available: 2
Location
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location, Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner premises for at least 80% of your working time.
About the job
Job summary
Are you an experienced software developer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and delivering innovative solutions with real-world impact?
We are looking for a Senior Software Developer to join our multidisciplinary team, developing software capabilities that support critical national security and defence outcomes. Working alongside scientists, engineers and operational stakeholders, you will design, build and deliver secure, scalable and maintainable software solutions that address challenging technical problems.
This is an exciting opportunity to work across the full software development lifecycle, from concept and prototyping through to implementation, integration and support. You'll have the opportunity to influence technical approaches, contribute to architectural decisions and help shape the future direction of software capabilities used within complex operational environments.
As a senior member of the team, you'll share your knowledge, support the development of colleagues and champion modern software engineering practices that drive quality, innovation and continuous improvement.
We're looking for someone with strong software development expertise, a collaborative mindset and a passion for delivering high-quality technical solutions that make a meaningful difference.
This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements. The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
Job description
What you'll do;
- Design, develop and maintain high-quality software applications, prototypes and technical capabilities.
- Translate user needs and technical requirements into practical software solutions.
- Contribute to software architecture, technical design decisions and technology selection.
- Develop secure, resilient, scalable and maintainable systems using modern engineering practices.
- Build, test, debug and support software throughout the development lifecycle.
- Use version control, automated testing and continuous improvement practices to enhance software quality and delivery.
- Work collaboratively with engineers, scientists, programme teams and operational stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities to improve tools, processes and development methodologies.
- Mentor and support colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and best practice.
- Keep up to date with emerging technologies and apply innovative approaches where they add value.
- Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with security, safety and governance requirements.
For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.
Person specification
What we're looking for
Qualifications
- Degree in a STEM-related subject such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or equivalent relevant experience.
Technical Knowledge and Skills
- Experience developing software using one or more languages such as Python, C, C++, Java, Go or Rust.
- Experience designing, developing, testing and debugging software within a professional environment.
- Strong understanding of software engineering best practices, including code quality, testing and maintainability.
- Experience using Git and collaborative development platforms such as GitHub or GitLab.
- Experience working within Linux environments, including scripting and automation.
- Experience working in Agile or iterative development environments.
- Ability to analyse complex technical challenges and develop effective software solutions.
Experience
- Experience delivering software solutions within engineering, science, technology or operational environments.
- Experience translating customer or stakeholder requirements into practical technical solutions.
- Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience balancing quality, risk, delivery timescales and customer requirements to achieve successful outcomes.
- Experience making sound technical decisions when evaluating multiple solution options.
Please review the attached job description for more detailed information.
Important Information:
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.
For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require Develop Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Allowances: This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements. The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
- Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 23rd of November with interviews taking place from the 30th of November.
Your interview will consist of behavioural and technical competency-based questions. You will also be required to deliver a 10-minute presentation. Further details for the presentation will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Cyber Recruitment Team
- Email : cyberrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| Senior Software Developer L5 Opens in new window (pdf, 208kB) |
| Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 4978kB) |
Share this page
- Gmail
