Java Software Engineer

at  Department for Work and Pensions

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for outstanding Software Engineers who can make a positive impact and want to contribute to one of the most demanding and important Government services for the UK.
Let’s be clear about the impact of your work – the products we build are the changing the face of public services with the potential to dramatically transform the future of millions of people.
Within Working Age Services Digital, we are responsible for a number of existing services which support the core of society and is the department’s highest profile benefit service, Universal Credit.
We are looking for the kind of person who enjoys a challenge. Working Age Services is undergoing a period of technical change in line with our technical strategy – aiming to become more consistent in our ways of working, more standardised in our technical stacks, and transforming some of our service’s monolithic architectures into microservices.
You’ll play a major role in the design and implementation of exciting modern digital services for the UK Government. You’ll be part of a team dedicated to the creation of Universal Credit which is actively delivering for 5.5 million citizens every day.
Our Software Engineers build and run applications as part of multi-functional agile delivery teams. What really excites the successful candidate is problem-solving and the opportunity to deliver innovative technology that carries real value for users. The candidate will be expected to draw value from collaboration with others, actively seek input from colleagues and value a multidisciplinary team over hierarchy.
Please note this role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. For further information, please see ‘Selection process details’.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Our Software Engineers are experts in their field, skilled in multiple disciplines, role models in software craftsmanship and have proven experience in the design, development and support of software products.
You will follow best practice and work in teams that deliver quality software products.
We work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team, focused on designing and building software products that make up services used by millions of people.
Our teams focus on operational stability, robustness, resilience, availability and quality for the code we produce.

Your responsibilities will include but are not restricted to, the following:

• Design and build the Working Age services including building reusable libraries.
• Coaching and mentoring your peers and more junior staff, supporting their professional development.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and the wider community to set the strategic direction for the department.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A proven track record of building Java applications (minimum version 11), using modern industry standard patterns, approaches, and frameworks.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £42,614, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £12,345 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We also have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 25 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Your responsibilities will include but are not restricted to, the following:

• Design and build the Working Age services including building reusable libraries.
• Coaching and mentoring your peers and more junior staff, supporting their professional development.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and the wider community to set the strategic direction for the department