Software Engineer

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA); Swansea; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Civil Service Pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave (+5 with service)

Job summary

DVLA is seeking a Legacy Software Engineer to maintain and improve business-critical vehicle systems from Swansea in a hybrid role (60% office-based). You will work within the VSS team on a complex estate of applications, databases, and services, contributing to security, reliability and modernisation.

Training in cloud technologies and development practices is available. You will investigate issues, develop changes, support batch processes, and collaborate across engineering, delivery teams and

Qualifications

• Experience in a live support environment with analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with relational databases and data analysis.
• Strong software development background with exposure to legacy systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and enhance business-critical DVLA applications and services.
• Investigate issues, identify root causes, and implement fixes.
• Develop software changes aligned with business requirements and user needs.
• Support batch processing, service maintenance and operational activities.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to deliver solutions.
• Contribute to testing, release management and continuous service improvement.

Skills

Live support

Relational database

Software development

Unix/Linux

Java

WebLogic

Shell scripting

AIX

CA Gen

Pro*C

Crystal Reports

Tools

CA Gen

Pro*C

Java

WebLogic

Unix/Linux

AIX

Job description

Work on the technology that underpins critical national infrastructure, keeping essential services running for millions across the UK.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), in partnership with Inspire People, is seeking Software Engineers to develop and maintain business-critical systems that support the UK's critical national infrastructure. You'll bring software development experience, ideally within legacy environments, alongside experience supporting live systems and working with relational databases. Permanent role, hybrid working from Swansea (60% office‑based), salary of £40,590 plus 29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits.

OPEN SESSION

If you would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in the Engineering department, DVLA are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 25th November at 12:00pm.

About role

DVLA is responsible for delivering safe, secure and reliable national motoring services at scale, supporting more than 48 million vehicle records and millions of customers across the UK. Working within the Vehicle System Software (VSS) team, you'll help maintain and enhance the UK's vehicle system of record, contributing to services that underpin public trust, road safety and critical government operations.

As a Legacy Software Engineer, you'll join a specialist engineering team responsible for a complex estate of applications, databases, batch processes and integrated services. Working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists, you'll investigate issues, develop software enhancements and contribute to the ongoing stability and improvement of a nationally significant platform.

You will have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, including courses in cloud technologies and modern software engineering practices to further develop your technical skills.

As a Legacy Software Engineer, you will:

• Support, maintain and enhance business-critical applications and services.
• Investigate application and service issues, identifying root causes and contributing to effective resolutions.
• Develop and implement software changes aligned to business and user requirements.
• Support batch processing, service maintenance and operational activities.
• Analyse and work with data held within large relational databases.
• Collaborate with engineers, delivery teams and stakeholders to deliver technical solutions.
• Contribute to testing, release management and continuous service improvement initiatives.
• Develop expertise across a specialist technology stack supporting critical DVLA services.

Essential skills for the Legacy Software Engineer include:

• Experience of working in a live support environment, with analytical, problem-solving and code interrogation skills.
• Experience of working with a relational database.

DVLA use a highly specialised technology stack and recognise that candidates may not have experience of every technology they use. If you have worked with any of the technologies below, or similar alternatives, we'd be interested to hear about your experience:

• CA Gen, or other model-driven/4GL development tooling.
• C and/or Pro*C development.
• Unix shell scripting, or other scripting skills.
• The AIX platform, or another Unix/Linux environment.
• Java and application/web servers, such as IBM WebLogic.
• Crystal Reports, or other reporting tools.

In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:

• Flexible working arrangements designed to support work-life balance.
• Civil Service Pension with employer contributions of 28.97%.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service.
• Bank holidays plus an additional privilege day for the King's Birthday.
• Industry-leading learning and development opportunities.
• Clear career frameworks and progression pathways within DVLA Digital.
• Access to on‑site gym facilities, nursery, restaurants and coffee bar.
• Free parking at the Swansea site.
• Inclusive employee networks and communities.

Additional Requirements

• This role requires SC clearance, a condition of which is to have been present in the UK for 5 continuous years
• DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
• 60% Swansea office attendance (typically 3 days / week)
• Salary for this role is £40,590 inclusive of a £3500 RRA allowance

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to work on technology that supports critical national infrastructure and underpins essential motoring services used by millions across the UK. You'll join an experienced engineering team responsible for maintaining and improving DVLA's core vehicle systems, gaining exposure to complex applications, databases and system integrations. You'll also work closely with teams developing modern cloud-based services, with opportunities to develop your technical skills, access training and contribute to DVLA's longer-term technology modernisation plans.