Software Developer Consultant

Hackajob Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Opencast Software is recruiting for a contractor-level software engineer with SC clearance eligibility to deliver digital services for the UK government. The role emphasizes Java/Scala expertise, strong OOP fundamentals, and a collaborative, TDD-driven approach across on-site client engagements.

You will work in a multi-disciplinary team, contribute to backlog upkeep, and partner with stakeholders from discovery through live deployment.

Qualifications

• SC Clearance eligibility or ability to obtain it.
• UK citizenship and 5 years' UK residence, no long absences.
• Experience delivering digital services for the UK government.
• Familiarity with the GDS toolkit is beneficial.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented programming.
• Knowledge of testing concepts and practices.
• Experience delivering complex GOV.UK/GDS services is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the team backlog and plan work with the squad.
• Collaborate with testing teams to validate quality.
• Lead the implementation of user stories end-to-end.
• Embrace mobbing and pair programming as standard practice.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams in a consultancy context.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders throughout delivery.
• Improve ways of working and technology to enhance the client journey from discovery to live.

Skills

SC Clearance eligibility

Agile methodologies

GDS experience

Object-oriented programming

Testing concepts

Tools

Java

Scala

JavaScript

TypeScript

Kotlin

Python

Ruby

TDD

Job description

Salary: £61,000 - 101,000 per year

Requirements:

• We require applicants to either currently hold active Security Check (SC) Clearance or be eligible to obtain it.
• Eligibility typically requires UK citizenship and continuous residence in the UK for the past five years, with no single absence exceeding 28 consecutive days.
• We value experience in delivering digital services for the UK government.
• Familiarity with the GDS toolkit is beneficial.
• Expertise in Java and/or Scala is required.
• Experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, Kotlin, Python, or Ruby is valuable.
• We expect an understanding of Object-Oriented Programming.
• We expect in-depth knowledge of testing concepts and uses.
• Knowledge or experience of delivering complex services to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards is desirable.
• We value comfort with new technology, a t-shaped skill set, and ongoing learning and development.
• Experience with agile methodology is required.

Responsibilities:

• We are responsible for delivering upkeep of the team backlog.
• We collaborate with the teams testing effort.
• We lead the implementation of user stories.
• We embrace mobbing and pairing.
• We work with others in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.
• We work with clients and key stakeholders as part of a consultancy role.
• We help improve ways of working, working technology, and the overall client experience from discovery through to live.

Technologies:

• Support
• Java
• JavaScript
• Kotlin
• Python
• Ruby
• Scala
• Security
• TDD
• TypeScript

More:

We are Opencast Software, partnering with hackajob to hire contractors in software development at consultant level to help major clients transform. We care about engineering craft, clean design, thoughtful problem-solving, simple and robust solutions, TDD, emerging design, refactoring, and pair programming. Our consultants work in complex environments and are expected to think, challenge, guide, and help others. The role is varied, technical, and not confined to one provider or solution. Salary is up to £450 per day, working inside IR35. The role requires regular on-site attendance across our HQ, hub offices, client sites, and home, with travel essential to the responsibilities of the role. We welcome candidates from all identities, attributes, ways of thinking, and backgrounds, and we conduct interviews via Microsoft Teams with adjustments available to support your needs.

last updated 40 week of 2026