Senior Software Developer

Role overview

Location and attendance

• The role is based at Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
• Attendance at a Dstl location, government departments, or partner premises is required for at least 80% of working time.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software applications, prototypes, and technical capabilities.
• Translate user needs and technical requirements into practical solutions; contribute to architecture, design decisions, and technology selection.
• Build, test, debug, and support secure, resilient, scalable, maintainable systems throughout the software lifecycle.
• Use version control, automated testing, and continuous improvement practices to improve quality and delivery.
• Collaborate across engineering, science, programme, and operational teams; improve tools, processes, and methodologies.
• Mentor colleagues, share technical knowledge, follow security, safety, and governance requirements, and apply useful emerging technologies.

Qualifications and experience

• A STEM degree in a subject such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Professional software development experience with one or more of Python, C, C++, Java, Go, or Rust.
• Experience designing, developing, testing, and debugging software; strong understanding of code quality, testing, and maintainability.
• Experience with Git and GitHub or GitLab, Linux environments, scripting and automation, and Agile or iterative development.
• Experience delivering software in engineering, science, technology, or operational settings and translating stakeholder needs into technical solutions.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, balancing quality, risk, timescales, and customer needs, and evaluating technical options.
• The role requires developed vetting. The posting states applicants must be UK nationals and must have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Salary and allowances

• Salary is £41,431-£47,139, dependent on skills and experience.
• A £2,758 annual specialist allowance may be available subject to extended onboarding requirements; additional skills allowances may also be available.
• The Civil Service pension employer contribution is stated as 28.97%.

Working pattern

• Full-time and part-time work, job share, flexible working, and compressed hours are listed as possible working patterns.

Benefits

• Benefits include pension, reward bonuses, rental deposit and cycle-to-work schemes, flexible hours, annual leave, family leave, learning and development, and onsite facilities.

Selection process

• The selection process assesses behaviours and experience and includes behavioural and technical competency questions plus a 10-minute presentation.