Job Vacancy Software Developer

We are looking for Software Developers with Java and/or NodeJS experience.

Our current technology stack is below:

AWS, Docker, Go, Java, Kafka, Spring, Node.js, TypeScript, MongoDB, Oracle

Companies House offers a flexible and welcoming culture that promotes a healthy work life balance as well as a proactive approach to wellbeing that allows us to be our best at work. We recognise that people are the key to our success so offer a fantastic benefits package including flexible working with no core hours, 30 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day as well as enrolment into the Civil Service Pension scheme with a contribution rate averaging 28%.

Companies House cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign.

Job description

As a Developer you'll join one of our many Agile Software Development teams. A typical team is made up of an agile delivery manager, developers, testers, user researchers, analysts and a product owner.

You'll be responsible for:

• Designing efficient and maintainable solutions
• Contributing and adhering to our technical standards
• Maximising the automated test coverage to help move to continuous delivery
• Ensuring code quality through code reviews

What it is like to work in Companies House

Inclusive and diverse teams are important to us. Wherever possible we offer flexible working arrangements. We'll support you to meet other commitments and help you strike a better work-life balance. We're keen to create an environment that works for everyone, and we particularly encourage applications from different underrepresented demographics.

Half a day a week is devoted to Innovation time where everyone in digital can work on whatever they choose, be that building new applications, trying new technologies or working towards certifications, it's up to you. In addition to this we offer lots of opportunities to have training as and when it is needed. We trust and empower our staff to work in a way which best suits them.

Companies House is an award-winning employer, with an Investors in People Platinum Award we are at the forefront in ensuring our staff reach their full potential in building brilliant services on cutting-edge technology. You'll be joining our Software Engineering Profession at a time of transformation and you will be a part of shaping the future of our department. We use Agile Methodologies and promote a culture of continuous improvement.

Person specification

We're looking for the following experience, which will be assessed at sift and at interview. Please refer to the 3 bullet points in bold below when writing your personal statement (including examples).

• 2 years knowledge of programming tools, frameworks, and techniques in at least one of the following ecosystems: Java, or Node (you will be expected to learn to become proficient in the other once in post as required according to business needs)
• Experience of developing software throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Knowledge of RESTful APIs.
• A passion for high quality, well-crafted code, and associated tooling.
• A degree in computing or similar would be an advantage.
• You embrace continuous integration and have a continuous delivery mindset.
• You are patient and can help support and mentor others with different degrees of expertise to maximise their potential.
• You have excellent communication skills and can help explain complicated technical issues to individuals who don't share the same technical experience.
• Knowledge of any of the following technologies/approaches: Concourse CI, Go, Kafka, MongoDB, Oracle SQL, Typescript, Docker, Terraform.
• Knowledge of microservice driven architecture.
• Knowledge of developing in the Cloud.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Systems Integration
• Development Process Optimisation
• User Focus
• Programming and Build
• System Design

Where will you be working? 

You will be aligned to our Cardiff Office, where we are currently using a hybrid approach to the way we work. Our approach to hybrid working provides opportunities for you to be adaptable in the way you work so that you can achieve a healthy balance between your work and home life. The degree of choice you have will depend on business need, your role and your day-to-day work activities and will be discussed at offer stage. Remote contracts will only be offered to successful candidates who are not a commutable distance to our Cardiff, Belfast or Edinburgh offices. If you are located a reasonable distance to one our offices, you will receive a hybrid contract aligned to one of our offices.  

Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package that includes:

• a generous 30 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and 1 privilege day
• enrolment into the  with a contribution rate of averaging 28%
• a range of recognition schemes including instant awards to thank and recognise each other's efforts and contributions
• strong ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion
• great work life balance with flexible and mobile working available for many roles
• a pro-active approach to employee wellbeing that allows our employees to flourish and be their best at work and has enabled us to become an  platinum accredited employer
• online financial support and advice
• seasonal flu jabs
• generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave allowances
• a focus on career development and progression
• a number of inclusive network groups to support our colleagues and a great sports and social society
• cycle to work scheme
• staff discount scheme
• holiday play scheme for children
• 3 days paid volunteering leave

In your application form we'd like you to:

1. Tell us about your employment history, including key responsibilities, projects worked on and achievements specifically relevant to the responsibilities and experience detailed above. We're keen to know the depth of your skills and experience so please include any details to demonstrate these.
2. Write a personal statement of 500 words where you demonstrate how you meet the required experience detailed in the top 3 bold bullet points in the person specification, including work-based examples to demonstrate your level of skill:

• 2 years knowledge of programming tools, frameworks, and techniques in at least one of the following ecosystems: Java, or Node (you will be expected to learn to become proficient in the other once in post as required according to business needs)
• Experience of developing software throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Knowledge of RESTful APIs.

What will the process look like?

• We will sift applications and then invite successful candidates from the sift stage to attend a virtual interview.
• At sift candidates will be assessed against experience listed in the advert and are asked to supply work history/personal statement and reference any transferable skills using the job description for reference. The personal statement should address how you demonstrate the top 3 bold bullet points listed in the person specification (and above).
• At interview candidates will be assessed against the Behaviours and Technical Skills listed in the advert and we will use Success Profiles Behaviours, Technical Skills and Strengths.
• At the beginning of your interview you will be given a technical activity and will be asked to screenshare as you work through it. You'll have time to read the instructions and then have 40 minutes to work through the exercise, followed by a brief chat about the approach used and any other discussion points. The technical activity will be assessing Technical Skills: Programming and Build.
• After the activity you'll have a 5 minute break before heading into the Behaviours, Technical Skills and Strengths questions.
• We plan to sift 16 & 17 January and interview w/c 20 January and w/c 27 January. This might need to change - we will keep you informed as you move through the process.
• We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Next Steps

Click 'Apply Now' to be taken to our main advert Civil Service Jobs where you can see more details regarding the role, the incredible benefits we have to offer and what it's like to work in Companies House.

If you have any questions about the role or process, please reach out to .

This role closes on 15 January 2025.