Digital Platform Principal Developer at Croydon Council

London Borough of Croydon, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 Jun, 26

Salary

57402.0

Posted On

17 Mar, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Digital Services Design, Software Development Leadership, Development Standards Setting, Multidisciplinary Teamwork, Scalable Services Building, Cloud Technologies, API-Driven Technologies, Test-Driven Development, Continuous Delivery, DevOps, Pair Programming, Architecture Review, Code Review, GDS Service Standard, Mentoring, Java

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Location: Croydon / Hybrid Salary: £55,323 - £57,402 Contract: Permanent Help us build digital services that make a real difference We’re looking for an experienced Principal Developer to help lead the design, development and delivery of high-quality digital services that support our residents, businesses and staff. You’ll play a key role in shaping how we build and run software across the organisation, setting development standards, mentoring colleagues and working across multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable, user-centred services. This is a senior technical leadership role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, improving how teams work, and building modern, maintainable digital platforms using open technologies. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the role As a Principal Developer you will: * Lead the development of complex digital services from discovery through to live operation and continuous improvement * Set and champion modern software development standards across the organisation * Work across multiple multidisciplinary product teams to deliver high-quality, user-centred services * Build scalable, secure services using open-source, cloud and API-driven technologies * Encourage modern engineering practices such as test-driven development, continuous delivery, DevOps and pair programming * Support teams to prototype, build and iterate services quickly based on real user needs * Review architecture, code and technical approaches to maintain high standards across the organisation * Help ensure services meet the GDS Service Standard or equivalent best practice * Mentor and coach developers and support their professional development * Promote a collaborative, inclusive and learning-focused culture within the technology team You’ll also help us work more effectively with other teams across the council, demonstrating how technology can support better outcomes while improving efficiency and reducing costs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technology stack We use a mix of modern development platforms, cloud infrastructure and low-code tools to deliver digital services quickly and effectively. Our current technology environment includes: * Netcall Liberty Create low-code platform for building and delivering digital services * Modern programming languages and frameworks such as Java, JavaScript and HTML * API-driven and microservices architectures * Cloud-based infrastructure and containerised deployment approaches * Open-source technologies wherever possible * Content and service platforms such as Drupal * DevOps practices including continuous integration, automated testing and continuous deployment Experience with Microsoft Power Apps would be desirable, particularly where these integrate with enterprise systems and wider service platforms. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What we’re looking for We’re interested in people who combine strong technical expertise with collaborative leadership. You will likely have: * Extensive experience designing and building complex digital services * Strong knowledge of modern software development practices and agile delivery * Experience working with cloud platforms, APIs and microservices architectures * Experience implementing DevOps practices such as automated testing and continuous deployment * Strong programming experience in modern languages and frameworks (for example Java, JavaScript, or similar) * Experience working with open-source technologies and platforms * Experience mentoring and supporting other developers * A commitment to building services that meet the needs of diverse users Experience working in government or public sector environments is helpful but not essential. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ FULL JOB DESCRITPTION [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XeEvgHthtngwV9gUNXf_WzXa3QnrcvrQ/view?usp=sharing] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our team Our digital team works in multidisciplinary product teams, bringing together developers, designers, researchers, analysts and delivery specialists to create services that are simple, reliable and accessible. We follow agile ways of working, favour open technologies and continually improve our services based on user feedback and performance data. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why join us? * Work on services that directly improve the lives of residents * Help shape the organisation’s digital and technology standards * Collaborate with experienced multidisciplinary teams * Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development * Flexible and hybrid working arrangements * Generous local government pension and benefits -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our commitment to inclusion We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and encourage candidates who may not meet every requirement to apply. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you’re passionate about building high-quality digital services and want to help transform how local government uses technology, we’d love to hear from you. This role will close on 31st March 2026 Croydon Council’s priorities The Council balances its books, listens to residents, and delivers good sustainable services * Get a grip on the finances and make the council financially sustainable * Become a council which listens to, respects and works in partnership with Croydon’s diverse communities and businesses * Strengthen collaboration and joint working with partner organisations and the voluntary, community and faith sectors * Ensure good governance is embedded and adopt best practice * Develop our workforce to deliver in a manner that respects the diversity of our communities Key business plan outcomes: * Croydon is a place of opportunity for business, earning and learning * Children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential * Croydon is a cleaner, safer and healthier place, a borough we’re proud to call home * People can lead healthier and independent lives for longer * Croydon Council’s new ways of working Equal Opportunities Statement Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The Successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.

Responsibilities

The Principal Developer will lead the design, development, and delivery of complex digital services from discovery through to live operation, setting and championing modern software development standards across the organization. This involves building scalable, secure services using open technologies and encouraging modern engineering practices like TDD and DevOps.