At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop software that transforms digital services for the UK public and industry.
- Company: Join the DVLA, a friendly and stable engineering community focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, health benefits, remote work, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with excellent career growth and support for skill development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising essential services and enhancing user experiences.
- Qualifications: Passion for coding and experience with modern technologies; no specific Java experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
Base pay range
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) deliver wide reaching digital services to the UK public and industry. We maintain the national record of vehicles and drivers so if you have applied for a driving licence, taxed your vehicle or completed a vehicle enquiry you would have used one of our services.
Within and between our teams, we have a friendly and stable engineering community. Keeping work/life enjoyable is key to us, and we strive to ensure the efficient and secure use of software and infrastructure.
Our Current Deliveries Include- Two major programmes of work, modernising our drivers and vehicles services and systems.
- Entirely new services including a new customer portal, mobile digital driving licence and identity platform.
- The DVLA digital payment service that helps us collect around 6 billion pounds a year.
New versions of key driving licence services that will help us to reduce paper forms, reduce waiting times and to enable all of our customers to transact digitally.
As part of our core business services, you will work with Java and SpringBoot alongside tools like OpenAPI. No specific Java experience is needed. All you need is a passion for building clean, maintainable, and secure applications using an object-oriented language.
If you’re working on the front-end, you’ll be developing applications and reusable components using a combination of Ruby on Rails and React. You will also have the opportunity to build and develop our external and internal UIs, so this is an exciting opportunity to deliver far reaching, intuitive and accessible front-end systems.
We also make extensive use of serverless Node.js and TypeScript using AWS services such as Lambda, Step Functions and Dynamodb to build services using event-driven architecture patterns.
As part of our ongoing mission to support and develop all staff within the DVLA, you will be given a high spec Macbook and we will help you to achieve certification in areas such as AWS and Java, as well as giving you the freedom and support necessary to perform in your role and continuously develop your skill set.
Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Aren’t Limited To- Developing Software to meet user needs.
- Following Best Practice Guidelines and help to improve those Guidelines.
- Writing clean, secure and well-tested code.
- Coaching and mentoring more junior colleagues.
- Operating the services they build and identify issues in production.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Candidate ProfilePerson specification:
- You will be experienced working as a software engineer across multiple projects, developing software using a variety of modern technologies and tools.
- You will be able to work with a team to shape and define requirements and have the skills to build, tests, and deliver features and services.
- You will need to be comfortable in using modern CI/CD tooling with an understanding of languages such as Java, Ruby, C#, HTML, Python or similar.
- You may have experience delivering services using a public cloud provider such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud, or a motivation to develop these skills.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Engineering and Information Technology
Industries
Human Resources Services
Software Engineer - DVLA - HEO in Swansea employer: Free-Work UK
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where engineers can thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have access to high-spec equipment and opportunities for certification in key technologies, ensuring your skills are continuously enhanced. Located in the heart of the UK, the DVLA promotes a healthy work-life balance while delivering impactful digital services that benefit millions of users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer - DVLA - HEO in Swansea
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer - DVLA - HEO in Swansea
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 Free-Work UK.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Free-Work UK 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 Free-Work UK
✨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 Free-Work UK 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.