Skip to main contentLead Software Engineer
Department for Work and Pensions
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 1st October 2023
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Engineering
Information Technology
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About the job
Job summary
Are you capable of leading & mentoring engineering teams while helping to shape and deliver services?
Are you an experienced Software Engineer looking to take the next step in your career?
We’re looking for outstanding technologists, as well as capable leaders, to join the Children’s Digital as Lead Software Engineers of the function.
The successful candidates will join the Children’s benefits team within Digital and be an integral part in directing and determining how we build the technology solutions of the future that will enable us to realise our key mission and passion – to support families and ensure positive outcomes for Children in the United Kingdom.
Our engineering teams work across multiple tribes delivering a mixture of Citizen facing online products, channel and contact centre Agent solutions as well as platform and utility services.
What really excites the successful candidates is problem-solving and the opportunity to deliver innovative technology that carries real value for users.
The candidates will be expected to not only work in and direct engineering outcomes in Children’s, but also take a lead in engaging with and influencing our wide-ranging engineering practice within DWP Digital.
You will be tasked with making significant advances in our engineering practices and capabilities within the function as we accelerate both the transformation of the digital services we offer and widen our adoption of a microservices and event-based architecture style.
Job description
Our Lead Software Engineers are experts in their field, role models in software craftsmanship and have proven experience in the design, development, and support of software products.
You will:
• Define standards for the Engineering community and lead their adoption across teams to deliver quality software products.
• Be an enabler for multiple teams, driving consistency, standards, pace and quality, resolving technical blockers, and promoting re-use and collaboration through the wider community.
• Influence our future Vision for delivery as part of the Leadership Team and then take ownership for bringing the engineering community on that journey.
• Have an excellent ability to self-organise and define priorities.
• Be capable of diving in where necessary, but the focus of this role will be to lead and set direction for multiple engineering teams effectively and successfully.
Person specification
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact caicy.sandford@dwp.gov.uk.
Benefits
• An employer pension contribution of up to 27% For further information please click here.
• Annual leave rising up to 30 days, (based on your working pattern).
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements, such as hybrid working, job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Learning and development tailored to your role this could include industry recognised qualifications, coaching and mentoring.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join staff networks including: Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.
This job role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. The number of days that anyone will be able to work at home will be determined primarily by business need but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account. If you are successful, any opportunities for hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for you, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post.
Salary Information
Salary for this role is from £69,869 (Band min) to £77,740 (Band max).
The maximum salary for the grade is £77,740, however a Digital Allowance of up to £12,255 per annum is available for exceptional candidates, based on our assessment of your skills and experience.
Our offer to successful candidates will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated at interview.
Existing Civil Servants who secure a new role on lateral transfer should maintain their current salary.
Existing Civil Servants who gain promotion may move to the bottom of the next grade pay scale or 10% increase in salary whichever would be the greater.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Stage 1: Application
Your application will consist of three parts:
1. A Personal Details application form.
2. Your employment history detailing your responsibilities, skills, accomplishments, plus your qualifications and relevant training. Please copy this information into the box field provided.
3. Personal statement up to 1000 words.
When giving details in your employment history and personal statement you should highlight your experience in line with essential criteria below:
• Expert knowledge and extensive experience of open source technologies like Java, Javascript and Node.js.
• Extensive Knowledge experience of developing on cloud-based environments such as AWS and Azure.
• Knowledge and experience of SQL and noSQL database applications such as Postgres, MySQL, and MongoDB.
• Experience of leading multiple teams and driving changes in technology maintaining standards.
• Championing new ways of working, encouraging reuse and supporting the use of automation.
• Experience of stakeholder management, collaborating with other roles and disciplines to achieve desired outcomes.
The sift panel will use the information in your employment history and personal statement to assess your experience, skills and knowledge against the essential criteria above.
For Hints and Tips on completing your application visit our blog Getting Hired at DWP Digital .
Important Information
• You will be asked to complete your employment history any information that you would customarily share on a CV should therefore be entered onto the application form.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• If your employment history/personal statement contains any personal details your application will be withdrawn.
Stage 2: Interview
If you’re successful at sift stage you will be invited to a video interview via Microsoft Teams. There, you will be assessed against the experiences listed in the essential criteria.
You will be asked to do a 10-minute presentation on a specific topic. Further details will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Interviews will take place from Mid-October onwards.
Further Information
Find out more about Working for DWP
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DWP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Before applying for this vacancy, current employees of DWP should check whether a successful application would result in changes to their terms & conditions of employment, e.g. mobility, pay, allowances. Civil Servants that would transfer into DWP from other government organisations, following successful application, will assume DWP's terms & conditions of employment current on the day they are posted, unless DWP has stated otherwise in writing.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. Applications will be screened and if evidence of plagiarism or copying examples/answers from other sources is found, your application will be withdrawn. Internal DWP candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Reasonable Adjustment
At DWP we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.
We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via Digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Caicy Sandford
- Email : caicy.sandford@dwp.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : digitalrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.
