Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) - Defence

IBM; Leicester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Leicester is seeking a Software Development Engineer in Test to design and implement automation solutions using various IT tools. The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to enhance service delivery while utilizing skills in Java, AWS, and IT automation principles. This position offers numerous training opportunities and a supportive work culture focused on innovation and diversity.

Benefits

Training opportunities

Promotion opportunities

Flexible working approaches

25 days holiday

Private medical coverage

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in IT automation principles and tools.
• Exposure to AI/GenAI, AI Operations, and NLP concepts.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and implement automation solutions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for seamless integration.
• Participate in agile development processes.

Skills

IT automation principles and tools

Java

JavaScript

AWS data engineering

CI/CD practices

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Tools

Red Hat Ansible

HashiCorp Terraform

IBM RNA

Prometheus

Grafana

Nagios

Elasticsearch

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

As a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET), you'll bring your technical expertise and problem‑solving skills to our team, contributing to the design, development, and implementation of automated solutions using various IT automation tools and technologies. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, learning and growing as you help optimize service delivery, generate documentation, and facilitate changes. Join our team and contribute to the development of innovative IT automation solutions that drive business success. If you're passionate about understanding and solving complex automation challenges and have a knack for creating IT automation solutions that maximize ROI, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and implement automation, digital workforce, data models, data transformation logic, and action flows using tools like Red Hat Ansible, HashiCorp Terraform, and IBM RNA
• Leverage AI/GenAI, AI Operations, and NLP to enhance automation
• Translate IT processes into automated solutions that optimize service delivery, generate documentation, and facilitate changes
• Understand the operational aspects of IT automation tools and technologies, including network connectivity
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure seamless integration of automated solutions
• Apply SRE principles to improve system reliability and performance
• Participate in agile development processes
• Maintain excellent problem‑solving and communication skills
• Work independently and learn from senior team members

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in IT automation principles and tools (Red Hat Ansible, HashiCorp Terraform, IBM RNA)
• Exposure to AI/GenAI, AI Operations, and NLP concepts
• Proficiency in Java, JavaScript, and other relevant technologies for full‑stack applications
• Experience with AWS data engineering and CI/CD practices
• Good understanding of AWS services
• Contribution to batch analytics, Python, and data engineering efforts
• Familiarity with Prometheus, Grafana, Nagios, and Elasticsearch for monitoring and alerting
• Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Experience with microservices architecture and design patterns
• Understanding of continuous integration and delivery practices

Eligibility

You must have the valid right to work in the UK, be a resident in the UK, and have been living continuously in the UK for the last 10 years. We do not offer visa sponsorship and have no future plans to do so. You must be able to hold or gain a UK government security clearance.

Equal Opportunity Statement

IBM is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Benefits

• Many training opportunities from classroom to e‑learning, mentoring and coaching programs, and the chance to gain industry‑recognized certifications
• Regular and frequent promotion opportunities to ensure you can drive and develop your career with us
• Feedback and checkpoints throughout the year
• Diversity & Inclusion as an essential and authentic component of our culture through policies, processes, and employee champion teams
• A culture where your ideas for growth and innovation are always welcome
• Internal recognition programs for peer‑to‑peer appreciation and manager to employee recognition
• Tools and policies to support work‑life balance, including flexible working approaches, sabbatical programs, paid paternity leave, maternity leave, and an innovative maternity returner scheme
• More traditional benefits, such as 25 days holiday (in addition to public holidays), private medical, dental & optical coverage, online shopping discounts, an Employee Assistance Program, life assurance, and a group personal pension plan of an additional 5% of your base salary paid by us monthly to save for your future.