Software Engineer Practitioner

Bristol City Council; Bristol; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Local Government Pension Scheme

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Bristol City Council is hiring Software Engineer Practitioners to grow their in-house Digital Operations Service. You will join a dynamic team delivering digital services for the city, using Java and generative AI to solve real-world problems.

The role emphasizes collaboration with business users and architects in an agile environment. We welcome you to contribute to exciting digital transformation initiatives, while enjoying a supportive workplace, flexible working options, and a strong pension

Qualifications

• Experience with Java development and building digital services.
• Ability to solve complex problems using generative AI techniques.
• Ability to provide domain expertise and technical leadership on large projects.
• Experience with AI-assisted software development tools (e.g., Copilot).
• Knowledge of Azure AI Foundry and related AI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Building and supporting digital services.
• Working in an agile team with business users, architects and operations staff to design and build software systems.
• Providing technical expertise and collaborative problem-solving to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Java development

Generative AI

AI technologies

GitHub Copilot

Azure AI Foundry

Technical leadership

Tools

GitHub Copilot

Azure AI Foundry

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference VAC008680 Date posted 07/08/2026 Application closing date 31/08/2026 Location City Hall College Green City Centre Bristol BS1 5TR Salary BG13: £47,181 - £50,269 Package Blank Contractual hours 37 Basis Full time Job category/type Digital and ICT Attachments Person Specification.pdf Job Description.pdf

We are looking for 3 Software Engineer Practitioners to expand our in-house delivery team and be involved in some exciting digital transformation across the organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity to join and help shape the growing in-house Digital Operations Service of our vibrant city's local government.

Do you have a keen interest in AI, automation, Microsoft Copilot and Java development? Would you like to join an organisation that affects the lives of an entire city's population?

Would you like to grow your skills and experience with us? We are looking for an experienced Software Engineers to join our team.

Responsibilities include:

• Building and supporting digital services.
• Working as part of an agile team with business users, architects, operations staff and others to design and build software systems that meet operational needs.
• Providing technical expertise, acting in a consultative and collaborative capacity to solve problems and deliver the best outcomes.

Skills required:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Java development.
• Ability to solve complex problems and apply creative solutions to difficult technical challenges.
• Ability to provide domain expertise, acting as a subject matter expert on large projects and providing technical leadership to colleagues.
• Experience with generative AI technologies, including advanced prompting, meta-prompting, Microsoft Copilot Studio (new and classic), and Azure AI Foundry.
• Experience with AI-assisted software development using GitHub Copilot.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go the extra mile for our people. We offer a fast-moving and supportive work environment, giving you the opportunity to use your existing skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation.

Join us and you'll receive a generous rewards package, including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you'll be working in a supportive environment where you'll have the opportunity to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact [e-mail]

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit.

Thepersonal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.