At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a Scrum team to design and develop innovative insurance solutions.
- Company: 1st Central, a leading UK motor and home insurer focused on technology and service.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, supportive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Exciting career growth potential in a dynamic and evolving tech landscape.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with cutting-edge technologies in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in C# .NET, Angular, SQL, and Agile methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
At 1st Central, everything starts with our people. As one of the UK’s leading motor and home insurers, we use smart technology, data and great service to make insurance fast, fair and simple for over 1.4 million customers. We’re proud to create an environment where people feel supported, trusted and able to grow - whether that’s developing new skills, taking on fresh challenges or making a real impact every day. If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
We’re looking for 3 talented Software Engineers to help shape the future of our core insurance platform. Working as part of a collaborative Scrum team, you’ll design, develop, and support both existing and new features that deliver real value to our customers and colleagues. This is an exciting opportunity to work on innovative projects, leverage modern technologies and engineering practices, and contribute to the continuous evolution of a business-critical platform within a supportive and agile environment.
We’re big on flexible hybrid working. Our teams are based across Salford Quays (Manchester), Haywards Heath (West Sussex), and Guernsey. We primarily work from home but value collaboration, so we come together in person to keep ideas flowing, typically once a month. Prefer being in the office more often? That works for us too.
Core skills we’re looking for to succeed in the role:
- Backend Development: Proven experience developing within a C# .NET environment
- Frontend Development: Proficient in web development, specifically using Angular
- Database Management: Significant knowledge and ability within SQL
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Agile Delivery: Familiarity with Agile and Scrum methodologies, with experience contributing to iterative development and continuous improvement practices.
- Problem Solving & Communication: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, combined with the ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
What’s involved:
- You’ll work within a Scrum team across the full development stack (e.g. Angular, .NET, SQL).
- You’ll collaborate within the scrum team to design and deliver solutions to existing issues and new features.
- You’ll create and maintain unit tests to support the development of your code.
- You’ll write clean, scalable, and efficient code.
- You’ll work to the agreed prioritisation of requirements for development and to the agreed delivery dates against these requirements by understanding the business priorities, the technical capability and the strategies of both the business and technology.
- You’ll provide Ad-hoc support outside of core hours.
- You’ll design and produce any necessary supporting documentation to enable IT to manage new components/processes.
- You’ll participate in code reviews and contribute to continuous improvement.
- You’ll troubleshoot, debug, and upgrade existing systems.
- You’ll actively participate in all agile ceremonies.
- You’ll actively engage in pair programming sessions to share knowledge, improve code quality, and foster team cohesion.
- You’ll support a culture of continuous improvement by mentoring peers, sharing knowledge, and encouraging open feedback.
- You’ll participate in sprint review sessions to demonstrate recent work, share technical insights, and celebrate team achievements.
- You’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times.
- You’ll ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/regulations at all times.
Skills:
- Proven experience in software development
- Proficiency in front-end and back-end technologies (e.g., JavaScript, HTML/CSS, REST APIs, SQL/NoSQL, Angular, Microsoft .NET)
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Experience of SQL writing and general database designs.
- Familiarity with Agile/Scrum methodologies
- Strong problem-solving and communication skills
- Understanding of a service-based approach to technology, including component, service oriented and event driven architectures
- Experience of developing solutions utilising cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines
- Understanding of DevOps principles
- Exposure to containerization (Docker, Kubernetes)
Behaviours:
- Commercially focussed and results driven
- Emphasis on attention to detail and accuracy
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- An organised and proactive approach
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- A flexible approach and positive attitude
- Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business
This is just the beginning. Imagine where you could end up! The journey’s yours to shape. Ready to join us?
Software Engineer employer: First Central
First Central Insurance Management Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the vibrant Salford Quays area. With a strong focus on employee development and continuous improvement, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while benefiting from comprehensive training and support. Our culture promotes collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute meaningfully to our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at First Central or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to First Central.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like First Central.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like First Central that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at First Central.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at First Central and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Central
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If First Central uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
