Senior Developer

Houston Baptist University; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a critical effort in modernizing UK democracy by becoming a Senior Developer within the Parliamentary Digital Service. You'll have an impactful role enhancing systems that facilitate governmental transparency and effectiveness, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver top-notch services. Enjoy benefits like generous leave, pension schemes, and support for work-life balance with flexible working options.

Benefits

Up to 35 days annual leave

Generous maternity pay policy

Great pension scheme options

On-site subsidized gym and nursery

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience in software development with a focus on medium to high complexity systems.
• Ability to pass security clearance and right to work in the UK.
• Understanding of user requirements and systems design.

Responsibilities

• Write high-quality code and develop new or enhance existing applications.
• Peer-review code to ensure quality and meet standards.
• Collaborate across teams including DevOps, testing, and design.

Skills

Collaboration

Programming

Problem Solving

Education

Relevant Computer Science qualification

Job description

This is work of national importance. Join the Parliamentary Digital Service as a Senior Developer and what you do will make UK democracy function better, more efficiently and more transparently. And this couldn’t be more vital – you’ll be writing and maintaining systems that allow us to deliver better services to all Members of Parliament, and for the activities of the UK Parliament to be better scrutinised and understood by the public.

Joining a diverse and multidisciplinary team, you’ll be involved in many complex issues, helping to refine the systems that Members used to vote in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, improving the tabling systems that allow MPs to submit questions, and much more.

Using your technical experience and high-quality programming skills, you’ll be ready to communicate clearly across different disciplines, with your digital colleagues, and to other stakeholders throughout Parliament. But your work won’t stop there. Among your other responsibilities, you’ll:

• write high-quality code and develop new software or evolve existing applications to meet internal and external customer needs
• peer-review code and ensure the highest standards and correct policies are followed in your work
• have a proactive and considered approach to technical debt, and strive for a culture of technical longevity over short-term gains
• deploy tactical decisions where necessary while keeping focused on long-term strategic goals and aiming to mitigate debt when possible
• work collaboratively with colleagues across disciplines including (but not limited to) test, DevOps, delivery, design, user research and performance analysis
• work with others to build a strong sense of requirements and ensure the work developed meets the needs of internal and external customers

What You Need

If you can collaborate with others to review specifications and use these to design, code, test and document programs or scripts of medium to high complexity, then we want to hear from you. You should also have:

• the ability to design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact and business or technical complexity, and the skills to select appropriate design standards, methods and tools to ensure they are applied effectively
• the ability to define the integration build, coordinate build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration-testing activities
• an understanding of users and their needs, the ability to engage in meaningful interactions with them and the skills to propose design approaches or services to meet their needs
• a readiness to uphold the values of equality, diversity and inclusion
• the ability to pass security clearance, backed by the right to work in the UK

About The Team

You’ll be working within the Software Development function, in the Digital Delivery Directorate within the Parliamentary Digital Service. The Digital Delivery Directorate sits within the Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS).

The Digital Delivery Directorate makes and manages bespoke software products that Parliament wants to run itself, to best meet the needs of its users (including Members, Peers, staff, and the public). The directorate is responsible for public-facing products (such as our public APIs and websites), alongside internal applications for users across the Parliamentary community (such as voting systems and the intranet).

About Us

UK Parliament is steeped in history and tradition. It is an important part of UK life and we need to ensure as many people as possible can engage with its work. This is why we are at the start of a huge transformation programme powered by technology. The Parliamentary Digital Service (PDS) works with the House of Commons and the House of Lords with all their IT and digital needs. We are here to realise the digital ambitions of a modern Parliament and welcome you to join us in building a digital democracy.

Our Package

Please refer to our Candidate Information Pack for a full list of our benefits which include:

• up to 35 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays
• generous maternity pay policy up to 6 months full pay
• great pension scheme options (contributory and non-contributory)
• on-site subsidised gym, nursery, catering, post office, travel office and GP
• flexible options including hybrid working and family friendly policies

How To Apply

Please make sure you're clear on the requirements of the role. These can be found in the Job Description and Candidate Information Pack. You will need to upload your CV to show how you meet up to the first five criterion. Our application process is anonymous, so please remove any personal information from it.

Apply By: 13th July 2025 at 23:55

Interviews: Intro: Informal welcome calls: Friday 18th July and Monday 21st July
1st Stage: Take home task (Code testing): Monday 21st July - Return test: Thurs Monday 28th July (by 23.59)
2nd Stage: Interview and pair programming exercise: Thursday 7th August and Friday 8th August

Our Culture

For our people, we provide an amazing opportunity to bring their talents to an institution that sits right at the heart of society in the UK. We are helping to change UK Parliament and strengthen democracy. What matters here is your potential for growth and your commitment to playing your part in our ongoing success.

We are passionate about providing an environment which promotes inclusion, diversity and equality. Regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, beliefs or any of the other things that make you, you. We welcome applications from people who feel under-represented in the workforce. This includes those who may feel disadvantaged because of their socioeconomic circumstances.