Graduate Software Engineer

targetjobs UK; England; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cyber security company seeks graduates with a passion for multi-platform software engineering for its 2026 intake. Successful candidates will join a supportive environment dedicated to teaching high-assurance coding practices through hands-on experience. The role offers excellent growth opportunities within a dynamic team. Positioned in Cheltenham, the company additionally provides extensive training and competitive benefits including private healthcare and a generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

25 days holiday per year

Financial relocation support

O'Reilly books subscription

Private healthcare access

Company bonus scheme

Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Active interest in multi-platform software engineering.
• Foundation knowledge of various programming languages required.
• Ability to work in a team and high enthusiasm for code quality.

Responsibilities

• Participate in software development as part of a small team.
• Engage in pair programming and code reviews.
• Upskill quickly through the CoreTech Academy training.

Skills

Programming fundamentals

Quality code

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Team spirit

Tools

Java

Rust

C++

Go

Python

Bash

Linux OS

Networking

iOS Development

Android Development

MacOS Development

Windows Development

Job description

CoreTech Security's mission is to deliver high-end security research and bespoke solutions to some of the most interesting cyber security clients in the UK. We have built a world-class team of high-assurance software engineers and researchers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of security innovation.

By working closely with your peers in small, usually two-to-three person teams, we know our graduates will very quickly develop the skills necessary to lead and deliver unique capabilities for our most trusted clients. Pair programming, as well as regular code and design reviews, are the fastest way to learn, and it’s part of our daily routine. If you're the sort of person that loves learning by doing, with high standards for code quality and a desire to create solutions that stand up to every environment failure you can throw at them, then you're the sort of person we'd love to see at CoreTech.

The Opportunity

We're seeking talented graduates with an active interest in multi-platform software engineering to join our world-class research and development team in September 2026.

CoreTech Academy

As a CoreTech graduate you will be enrolled on the CoreTech Academy where you’ll be provided with the opportunity to rapidly upskill in native development, debugging and reverse engineering through a mix of training, mentoring and shadowing with our experienced team. The Academy also provides the opportunity to attend seminars/presentations on a whole range of subjects, presented by colleagues from across the business.

What We're Looking For

• Strong programming fundamentals
• Enthusiasm for high-assurance, quality code
• Excellent problem-solving abilities
• Strong interpersonal skills and team spirit
  
  

You May Have

• Experience with a high-level language such as Java, Rust, C++, Go, and others
• Experience with a scripting language such as Python or Bash
• Familiarity with the Linux OS and working in the shell
• A basic understanding of how computers communicate (networking)
• Experience using and developing for one of iOS, Android, MacOS, Linux or Windows
• An understanding of the ways in which security issues affect software, and how good software can be designed to mitigate these
• Familiarity with the ways in which code quality can be enforced, such as experience with continuous integration or version control
  
  

We are looking for graduates with a passion and enthusiasm for high-assurance, quality code. Ideal candidates will be able to demonstrate an active interest and foundation knowledge in several of the skills listed above.

Work Benefits

• Promotions are based on technical excellence and reviewed regularly
• 25 days holiday per year (with bank holidays on top), option to buy/sell up to 5 days per year
• Level up with an extra day of holiday per year, up to an extra 5 days, starting from 2 years' service
• We offer financial support to cover HMRC allowable costs of relocating if you’re moving to the area
• Training and development opportunities to support your career aspirations
• O'Reilly books subscription which provides access to huge range of technical books
• Regular events including internal technical conferences, company socials and pizza-fuelled lunchtime seminars
• Free seasonal fruit, tea, coffee, milk, squash and hot chocolate
  
  

Private healthcare including access to

• Private online GP, and a helpline to speak with various healthcare professionals
• Physiotherapists, osteopaths or chiropractors for muscle, bone, and joint pain
• Mental health - counselling, and specialist consultations and treatment with psychologists and cognitive behavioural therapists
• Annual Health assessment
  
  

Financial Benefits

• A company bonus scheme so that everybody is rewarded for company success. This is an annual award that is based on the company hitting its targeted forecast. We have achieved this every year to date
• 8% company contribution to pension with no minimum requirement for employee contribution
• Death in Service cover of 4x base salary
  
  

Lifestyle Benefits

• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave: 12 weeks maternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 20 weeks full pay from 2 years’ service. 2 weeks paternity leave at full pay as soon as you join, further enhanced to 4 weeks full pay from 2 years’ service
• Enhanced cycle-to-work scheme including the ability to purchase a bike over £1,000 (e-bikes, specialist cycles and trikes allowed)
  
  

Salary

Our graduate salary for September 2026 is £37,000. We appreciate that starting work in a new location can be expensive at a time when you are just starting out on your career. To help with this, we offer:

• A zero-interest graduate loan of up to £2,000, repaid monthly during your second year of service
• If you're moving to the area, we offer financial support to cover allowable costs of relocating
  
  

We will also perform 6 monthly pay reviews for your first two years and aim for our graduates to be promoted to consultant grade within two years of joining.

Location

We are based in the centre of Cheltenham in a stunning new build contemporary office, 5 minutes walk from the local shops and cafes. Our website has a few pictures, which you can take a look at.

Additional Details

Please note, due to sensitivity of the role, successful applicants must be British Citizens and willing to undergo extensive background checks to obtain a security clearance.

Application Process

As part of this application process we will need you to submit code for review as part of our Operation WIRE STORM challenge, full details can be found here. With our submission portal being here.

We want you to challenge yourself and submit some great code, we're hoping this challenge to take no more than 6 hours. Good luck!

If you’re looking for a challenging role where you can make a real impact in the world, in a friendly environment and with all the support to advance your career, click apply.

Keen to join but more interested in Vulnerability Research / Operational Research? Click here to be notified when our 2026 Graduate positions will be open!