Senior Software Engineer

National Physical Laboratory; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Physical Laboratory in Birmingham is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to lead the design and architecture of systems that support security testing. This hands-on role requires expertise that directly impacts national security by ensuring the delivery of secure software.

Ideal candidates will possess strong technical skills across various languages and frameworks, familiarity with DevOps practices, and a dedication to mentoring and collaboration. The position supports continuous learning and growth in a highly inclusive environment.

Qualifications

• Confident in architectural and engineering decisions across technologies.
• Enthusiastic about applying new techniques with good engineering practices.
• Experience leading or mentoring in a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Design and shape architecture supporting security testing.
• Define and improve engineering best practices and deployment strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver meaningful solutions.

Skills

New engineering techniques

Leadership/mentorship experience

Agile methodology

DevOps/DevSecOps practices

Software testing techniques

Tools

Linux

Open-source technologies

Job description

At UKTL, your work directly strengthens the UK's technological, cyber, and national resilience. You'll collaborate with expert engineers, government partners, and industry specialists to detect, understand, and counter emerging threats.

If you’re looking for meaningful work in an inclusive environment that values curiosity, teamwork, and continuous learning, you’ll thrive here.

What this role means for you

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be at the heart of projects that matter. You’ll help design and shape the architecture of systems that support security testing and research that protects critical national infrastructure, influencing how we deliver secure and high‑quality software.

This is a hands‑on technical role where your expertise drives real outcomes.

• Work across multiple languages, frameworks, and platforms to solve complex challenges
• Help define and improve engineering best practices, branching and deployment strategies
• Review pull requests, guide colleagues, and raise code quality across teams
• Champion innovation and bring new ideas that help us stay ahead of emerging threats
• Collaborate with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders to shape priorities and deliver meaningful solutions

You’ll join a wider technical community that shares knowledge, encourages experimentation, and supports your growth.

Requirements

Successful applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week.

Qualifications and Skills

• Operates confidently at a deep technical level across a variety of technologies; comfortable making informed architectural and engineering decisions.
• Genuine enthusiasm for discovering and applying new engineering techniques and assessing new technologies with a focus on good engineering practice (maintainability, longevity, and available market resources).
• Experience leading or mentoring a team, or acting as a technical expert within a high‑performing group.
• Technology‑agnostic; polyglot programmer using Linux and open‑source technologies day to day.
• Experience working in Agile teams.
• Understands and applies DevOps/DevSecOps practices.
• Uses strong software testing techniques (e.g., TDD/BDD) and writes high‑quality tests.
• Translates user or business needs into robust technical solutions.
• Enjoys solving complex, often novel, engineering problems.
• Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively.
• Brings curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Comfortable with multiple programming languages and willing to learn new ones.
• Produces high‑quality technical documentation.
• Evaluates new technologies and creates compelling business cases for their adoption.
• Holds an SC clearance with no restrictions (or is willing to obtain it before starting).

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds.