Software Engineer

DWP Digital; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A government digital services department is seeking a Software Engineer to join their development teams. The role involves ensuring the security and reliability of legacy systems while modernizing to cloud platforms. Applicants should have proficiency in Java, C/C++, and AWS, along with experience in managing incidents and working in cloud environments. The position offers a hybrid working model with competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

28.97% employer pension contributions

Flexible working hours

Generous leave package starting at 26 days

Professional development opportunities

Discounts and savings on shopping

Time off for volunteering

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of relational databases and SQL scripting.
• Experience with development and deployment in Cloud environments (AWS, Azure).
• Proven ability of supporting and maintaining complex legacy applications in live environments.
• Experience with incident and problem management focused on service continuity.
• Ability to manage stakeholders effectively.

Responsibilities

• Ensure legacy platforms remain secure and reliable.
• Support the evolution into scalable, cloud-based services.
• Tackle incidents and implement essential changes.
• Integrate modern technologies to improve resilience and automation.

Skills

Java

C/C++

.NET

JavaScript

Relational databases

SQL scripting

Linux administration

Shell scripting

Tools

AWS

Azure

Actian Ingres

OpenROAD

Containers

Job description

Overview

Pay up to £58,347, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.

Please note that you'll need to pass Security Clearance to take up this role.

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work, and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.

We're looking for a Software Engineer to join our development and maintenance teams and help keep the UK's welfare systems secure, reliable, and ready for the future.

You'll support critical services and play a key role in modernising legacy systems as we move to cloud platforms.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and we'd love for you to join us.

You are your role

We empower our Software Engineers to work with freedom and autonomy. We write code and make decisions which shape the future engineering landscape of DWP.

As part of our Development and Maintenance team, you'll ensure legacy platforms remain secure and reliable while supporting their evolution into scalable, cloud-based services. You'll tackle incidents, implement essential changes, and integrate modern technologies to improve resilience, automation, and citizen experience.

You'll bring experience with legacy tech (Actian Ingres, OpenROAD) and modern platforms (AWS, Azure, containers), as well as proficiency in Java, C/C++, .NET and JavaScript.

This is a unique opportunity to be at the heart of digital change in government, balancing the stability of legacy systems with the innovation of modern engineering.

You'll be part of a supportive engineering community of over 200. We'll give you the tools and time to build your skills and learn new tricks — with coaching, mentoring, qualifications and formal learning, meet-ups or whatever else works for you.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

Your application will consist of four parts:

1. Personal Details
2. Employment history — include work experience and any skills, qualifications and accomplishments relevant to the jobs you have completed.
3. Personal statement — evidence clear examples of how you meet the following:
4. Solid understanding of relational databases and SQL scripting.

• Detailed working knowledge and experience of development and deployment in Cloud environments (AWS, Azure).
• Proven ability of supporting and maintaining complex legacy applications in live environments.
• Demonstrable experience of managing incidents and problems with a focus on service continuity.
• Stakeholder management of service owners and ability to challenge delivery and products.

1. Technical statement — evidence your experience of:

• Experience with Linux administration, shell scripting (KSH, Bash) and server configuration to modify or enhance multiple applications spanning various programming languages (collaborating with others if necessary).

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location: You'll join us in one of our digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model — you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay: Up to £58,347.

Pension: You'll receive a civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time, plus usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Award-winning environment and culture: Employer of the Year 2023 (Women In IT Awards); Founders Award for Outstanding Digital Leadership 2023 (Digital 100)
• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with "I Can Be Me in DWP"
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities

Process

We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

1. Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
2. Interview: a single stage interview online.

Click Apply for more information and to start your application.