Software Developer

Southern Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental services provider in the UK is seeking a Software / Geospatial Developer to enhance Rivers and Seas Watch, a key digital product. You will lead development efforts using modern front-end and back-end technologies, while championing engineering excellence. This role offers a hybrid working model between the Falmer office and home with numerous benefits including generous pension contributions and paid volunteering days.

Benefits

Generous pension up to 11% company contribution

25 days annual leave

Life assurance equal to 4× salary

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan

Fully funded eye tests

Two paid volunteering days a year

Occupational health service

Discounts with over 800 popular retailers

Digital GP service

Study support for job-related qualifications

Competitive maternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in full-stack software development, with a strong portfolio of impactful projects.
• Comfortable working in Agile environments, with a strong understanding of iterative delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in regulated or large-scale enterprise environments is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of robust software solutions for Rivers and Seas Watch.
• Champion engineering excellence through coding standards and peer reviews.
• Solve complex technical challenges with creativity and pragmatism.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate strategic goals into technical deliverables.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and development trends.

Skills

Full-stack software development

Advanced proficiency in front-end frameworks (React, Angular)

Back-end development (Node.js, Python, .NET)

Experience with SQL databases

Cloud platforms (Azure)

DevOps practices

Low-code/no-code geospatial tools (FME, ESRI AGOL SDK)

Agile methodologies

Job description

Overview

As a Software / Geospatial Developer - you will be a key technical contributor to the development of Rivers and Seas Watch, a flagship digital product that transparently reports on storm overflows and water quality. You'll bring deep expertise across front‑end and back‑end technologies while also working extensively with low‑code and no‑code platforms such as ESRI ArcGIS Online and FME to deliver geospatial and data integration solutions. ESRI and FME form a core part of our current technical stack, and proficiency or willingness to learn them is essential. To architect, build, and evolve customer‑facing digital services that support our environmental mission. You'll work within a multidisciplinary team of product owners, designers, researchers, and technical SMEs, driving forward the design and delivery of scalable, secure, and user‑centric solutions. This role offers autonomy to influence over technical direction, with opportunities to shape best practices and mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of robust software solutions for Rivers and Seas Watch, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability.
• Champion engineering excellence through coding standards, peer reviews, automated testing, and comprehensive documentation.
• Solve complex technical challenges with creativity and pragmatism, delivering high‑impact solutions aligned with business and user needs.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to translate strategic goals into technical deliverables.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and development trends, continuously enhancing your skillset and contributing to Southern Water's innovation culture.
• Operate within Southern Water's IT governance and regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance and resilience.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in full‑stack software development, with a strong portfolio of impactful projects.
• Advanced proficiency in modern front‑end frameworks (e.g. React, Angular), with good knowledge of TypeScript.
• Solid expertise in back‑end development (e.g. Node.js, Python, .NET) and relational databases (e.g. SQL).
• Experience with cloud platforms (we use Azure) and modern DevOps practices.
• Experience with low‑code/no‑code geospatial tools such as FME and ESRI AGOL SDK is highly relevant, as these platforms are central to our current delivery approach.
• Comfortable working in Agile environments, with a strong understanding of iterative delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in regulated or large‑scale enterprise environments is beneficial.

This is a unique opportunity to join a high performing and highly engaged team who are delivering a large innovative programme in partnership using sustainable and nature‑based approaches to reduce the use of storm overflows and improve the environment. We know that over‑use of storm overflows is a problem, so we are excited to invite you to be part of the solution!

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months). If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.

This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home.

Benefits

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4× salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job‑related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that 'normal' office hours aren't possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?