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- Tasks: Lead software development for digital preservation, mentoring and collaborating with teams.
- Company: Join The National Archives, a key institution preserving the UK's digital history.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a difference by shaping the future of digital archiving for generations to come.
- Qualifications: Expertise in Java/Scala required; familiarity with AWS and Linux is a plus.
- Other info: SC-level Security Clearance is mandatory; UK residency for the last 3 years is required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
23 January 2023
London
Full-Time
Person specification
About you
You are an enthusiastic and organised individual who is keen to join a growing team and make a positive contribution. You have the confidence to advise and support our users as they send us increasingly complex digital records. You are delivery focussed and strongly motivated to provide an excellent service.
As part of the Digital Archiving team, you will directly contribute to growing the digital archive and delivering the aims of The National Archives business strategy, Archives for Everyone.
About the role
The National Archives is building a suite of innovative digital products and services to ease the flow of digital records into the archive, preserve them for generations to come and open-up access to this nationally important resource for audiences including students, government, researchers and the public.
You will be leading software development in our Digital Preservation team within the Digital Archiving department. Your work will build on our award-winning Digital Records Infrastructure (DRI) which securely stores our rapidly increasing digital collection, operating at petabyte-scale to ensure the long-term preservation of vital public records.
Government websites; the records of significant public inquiries; the decisions of senior officials, ministers and prime ministers; and the nation’s digitised history from the 11th to the early 21st century are all to be preserved in the system.
We currently operate a series of workflows constructed predominantly in Scala, Java, XSLT and XML Schema running in a Linux environment and we expect Cloud services to play a large role in our future architecture.
As a lead developer you will need to be experienced in balancing your time communicating with other teams and focusing on our Digital Preservation systems. You will influence future designs and will be responsible for helping to set technical direction, mentoring staff, undertaking code review as well as writing high quality, robust code yourself.
You will be an expert in Java and/or Scala and familiarity with AWS and Linux would be an advantage. You will be thinking about the future impact of technology decisions. You will shape the team and its direction by prioritising work in response to emerging user needs, communicating the trade-offs.
You will support developers and non-developers to collaborate, work in the open and follow best practice. You will be responsible for mentoring other developers in their practice and presenting results of your team’s work to others.
SC-level Security Clearance or willingness to obtain SC clearance is mandatory for this role and requires that you have lived in the UK for the last 3 years. The length of required residency may depend on individual circumstances. Please clearly state if you meet this requirement.
Vacancy for Lead Developer Java/Scala at The National Archives (UK) employer: Digital Preservation Coalition
Contact Detail:
Digital Preservation Coalition Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vacancy for Lead Developer Java/Scala at The National Archives (UK)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with The National Archives' mission and current digital projects. Understanding their goals will help you align your skills and experiences with their needs, making it easier to demonstrate how you can contribute to their Digital Archiving team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of The National Archives, especially those in the Digital Preservation team. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the team culture and expectations, which you can leverage during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experience where you mentored others or led a project. Highlighting your ability to guide teams and influence technical direction will resonate well with the responsibilities of the Lead Developer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with Java and Scala in detail, including specific projects you've worked on. Be ready to explain your approach to problem-solving and how you ensure code quality, as these are crucial aspects of the role at The National Archives.
We think you need these skills to ace Vacancy for Lead Developer Java/Scala at The National Archives (UK)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with Java and Scala, as well as any relevant projects you've worked on in digital preservation or similar fields. Emphasise your leadership skills and ability to mentor others.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and The National Archives' mission. Discuss how your background aligns with their goals, particularly in digital archiving and preservation.
Showcase Relevant Experience: Include specific examples of your previous work that demonstrate your ability to lead software development projects, communicate effectively with teams, and make technology decisions that impact user needs.
Address Security Clearance: Clearly state your eligibility for SC-level Security Clearance in your application. If you have lived in the UK for the last three years, mention this explicitly to avoid any delays in the hiring process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Preservation Coalition
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with Java and Scala in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've used these technologies, and be ready to explain your thought process and the challenges you faced.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a lead developer, you'll need to show that you can mentor others and influence team direction. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team or project, focusing on your communication and collaboration skills.
✨Understand the Role of Digital Preservation
Familiarise yourself with the concept of digital preservation and its importance. Be ready to discuss how your work can contribute to preserving vital public records and enhancing access for various audiences.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about scenarios where you've had to balance technical decisions with user needs, and be ready to articulate your approach.
