At a Glance
- Tasks: Design, build, and maintain software that meets user needs with a focus on security.
- Company: Join the Department for Business and Trade, a top public sector employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant developer community with opportunities for knowledge sharing and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping businesses grow and thrive through innovative tech solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with Python, and a passion for collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a clear mission - to grow the economy. Our role is to help businesses invest, grow and export to create jobs and opportunities right across the country. We do this in three ways. Firstly, we help to build a strong, competitive business environment, where consumers are protected and companies rewarded for treating their employees properly. Secondly, we open international markets and ensure resilient supply chains. This can be through Free Trade Agreements, trade facilitation and multilateral agreements. Finally, we work in partnership with businesses every day, providing advance, finance and deal-making support to those looking to start up, invest, export and grow.
The Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate develops and operates tools and services to support us in this mission. The team have been nominated four times in a row for ‘Best Public Sector Employer’ at the Women in Tech awards and won the award in 2025!
As a software developer in the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) directorate in Department for Business and Trade (DBT), you will design, build and maintain software that meets user needs. You will write clean, secure code following a test-driven approach, and create code that is open by default and easy for others to reuse.
You will work in one of our service teams alongside colleagues in different DDaT roles, such as business analysts, content designers, or user researchers. Your service team will be part of a portfolio of services that are managed together. These portfolios have a thematic focus, such as business growth, data and AI services, employee experience, or trade and regulatory services.
You will be part of a wider developer community, and you’ll have the opportunity to attend talks and discussions, encouraging knowledge sharing across teams and portfolios.
Main responsibilities
- Develop software to meet user needs
- Follow best practice guidelines and help to improve those guidelines
- Write clean, secure and well-tested code, with an awareness of top security risks (e.g. OWASP Top 10)
- Coach and mentor more junior colleagues
- Operate the services you build and identify issues in production
Software Developer - Python in Edinburgh employer: Government Recruitment Service
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Contact Details:
Government Recruitment Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Developer - Python in Edinburgh
✨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 Government Recruitment Service 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 Government Recruitment Service.
✨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 Government Recruitment Service.
✨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 Government Recruitment Service 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 Developer - Python in Edinburgh
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 Government Recruitment Service.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Government Recruitment Service 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 Government Recruitment Service
✨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 Government Recruitment Service 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.
