At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop user-centric digital services using C# .NET.
- Company: Join the Department for Education, making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Diverse culture with excellent career growth opportunities in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Innovate public services and support vulnerable children while growing your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Strong C# .NET experience and leadership in agile environments required.
The predicted salary is between 58000 - 81000 € per year.
Salary: £58,185
This post is eligible for a Digital, Data and Technology (DDT) capability based pay (CBP) allowance. This is a discretionary non-consolidated, non-pensionable allowance which, if awarded, is attached to the post. The value of the allowance is based on the outcome of a capability assessment and is reviewed annually. Allowance values range up to £19,400, with the highest values reserved for candidates whose capability is above the expected level for all of the skills.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Job grade: Grade 7
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: DFE - Operations and Infrastructure Group
Type of role: Digital Information Technology
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Number of jobs available: 2
Location: Coventry, West Midlands (England), CV1 2WT; Manchester, North West England, M1 2WD; Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, S1 2FJ; City of Westminster, London (region), SW1P 3BT
About the job:
These are exciting times at the Department for Education. In 2026 we will continue to build more user-centred digital services for all our users, children, adults, and those in social care. As a senior software developer, you will be part of a team responsible for developing and supporting scalable, secure, and high-quality user-centric digital services. Working with senior colleagues, you will lead team members on the design and build of digital services and will work closely with colleagues within multidisciplinary agile teams, that focus on delivering work iteratively and at pace. You will innovate to radically transform how public services are delivered and improved.
If you are successful, you will be working in the Children and Families DDT portfolio. Our aim is to support every child and young person to be safer, healthier and happier. We work with Families Group to deliver Manifesto commitments on children's social care, early years childcare and our important contribution to delivering the Government's Mission to break down barriers to opportunity. This is an exciting time to join the portfolio with significant reform programmes underway in both early years and childcare, and children's social care, which will have a direct impact on the outcomes and wellbeing of children and their families.
Our diverse and inclusive culture reflects the society we live in. This helps us to achieve better outcomes for all our users. We work in multi-disciplinary teams using Agile methods to innovate and radically improve services that:
- Raise education standards and provide the best start in life for children.
- Support disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people.
- Drive economic growth.
Job description:
As a Senior Software Developer, you will:
- Lead and provide technical support for a group of developers within a multi-disciplinary team, sometimes including line management.
- Develop software within the C# .NET technology stack to agreed standards.
- Build automated tests to support our continuous deployment processes.
- Create and sustain modern development standards, practices and techniques for our development community.
- Work with the development community to ensure we build sustainable digital products.
- Support the ongoing optimisation of automated integration processes.
- Advocate user-centric, agile approaches which focus on rapid, effective delivery of high-quality digital services.
- Support, coach and mentor less experienced developers and help them integrate into teams.
- Transform government into a modern, agile development centre by embedding practices such as test-driven development, continuous integration & delivery.
- Triage and lead support of software issues within projects you are familiar with.
- Support sharing of methods and technologies across teams, government, and the industry by participating in and organising community events.
- Help build and maintain a diverse, inclusive culture across the development community, growing awareness, and balance.
Person specification:
Essential Criteria:
- Strong practical experience of software development using C# .NET along with HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
- Experience leading within technical teams to deliver user-focused services in an agile environment.
- Strong experience of good software development practices such as Test-Driven Development, CI/CD, and DevOps as well as modern development workflows, ideally using GitHub, and experience implementing software design concepts such as OOD, SOLID and design patterns.
- Strong experience in designing and implementing RESTful APIs or other loosely coupled architectures such as microservices.
- Strong understanding of web application security and experience applying it.
- Experience in sharing knowledge, coaching others, and working in a diverse and inclusive multi-disciplinary team.
Behaviours:
We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving.
Benefits:
Alongside your salary of £58,185, the Department for Education contributes £16,856 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Senior Software Developer C# .NET (up to 81,736) employer: Department for Education
The Department for Education is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Coventry, Manchester, Sheffield, and London, where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working patterns, and a diverse, inclusive culture, we empower our staff to innovate and lead in developing user-centric digital services. Join us to be part of significant reform programmes that drive positive change while enjoying generous benefits, including a substantial pension contribution and opportunities for professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer C# .NET (up to 81,736)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and coding challenges. Use platforms like StudySmarter to brush up on your skills and get comfortable with the tech stack you'll be working with, especially C# .NET.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your projects! Whether it's on GitHub or your personal website, having a portfolio of your work can really set you apart. Make sure to highlight any user-centric digital services you've developed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at the Department for Education.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer C# .NET (up to 81,736)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Senior Software Developer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your experience with C# .NET, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Provide specific examples of projects where you've used these technologies, especially in an agile environment, to demonstrate your expertise.
Highlight Leadership Experience:Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to mention any previous leadership or mentoring experiences. Talk about how you've supported less experienced developers and contributed to a positive team culture.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it makes the process smoother for both you and us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Education
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you brush up on your C# .NET skills, as well as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these technologies in detail, including any projects you've worked on that showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Agile Experience
Since the role involves working in agile teams, be ready to share specific examples of how you've contributed to agile projects. Highlight your understanding of Test-Driven Development, CI/CD, and how you've implemented these practices in past roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a senior developer, you'll likely be leading a team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've coached or mentored less experienced developers. This will show your ability to foster a collaborative environment.
✨Emphasise User-Centric Design
The job focuses on user-centric digital services, so be ready to talk about how you've prioritised user needs in your previous work. Share any experiences where you've advocated for user feedback or improved service delivery based on user insights.
