At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cloud-based software for 50 million users using cutting-edge technologies.
- Company: Join DVLA, a leader in digital services for the UK public.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with excellent career growth and support for continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on modernising vehicle tax delivery while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development with modern languages and tools; strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 44241 - 58997 € per year.
Would you like the opportunity to work with the latest technologies reaching 50 million users? DVLA are looking for Software Engineers with a passion for modern software development to become an integral part of a large, new programme of work and using cutting-edge tech to develop cloud-based software at scale.
About DVLA
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) deliver wide reaching digital services to the UK public and industry and maintain the national record of vehicles and drivers. If you have applied for a driving licence, changed vehicle, re-licensed your vehicle or completed a vehicle enquiry you would have used one of their services.
You will be supported with a high-spec MacBook and access to certifications in areas like AWS and Java, alongside the freedom to keep developing your skills. DVLA also actively encourages the use of AI coding tools, with a dedicated community focused on using them responsibly to improve how digital services are built.
Job Description
At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you will work with modern technologies across both back-end and front-end development. On the back end, this includes Java, Spring Boot and tools like OpenAPI - but what matters most is your ability to build clean, secure applications using any object-oriented language. For front-end work, you will use Ruby on Rails and React to create intuitive, accessible user interfaces.
You will join one of the leading agile and cloud-focused technology teams in government, working with modern tools such as serverless, Docker and Kubernetes. You will be part of the new electronic Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) programme, helping to modernise how vehicle tax is delivered digitally, within a friendly and stable engineering community that values innovation, security and a healthy work-life balance.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain secure, scalable software solutions within an agile delivery team
- Contribute to the design and implementation of digital services, supporting technical decisions and improvements
- Collaborate with business analysts, delivery managers and other engineers to refine user stories and deliver against requirements
- Support live services, including troubleshooting, performance improvements and ongoing enhancements
- Mentor and support junior developers, contributing to best practice and continuous improvement within the team
Essential skills
- Experience working as a software engineer across multiple teams or projects, using a range of modern technologies and tools
- Experience developing software using one or more programming languages such as Java, Python, Ruby, C#, JavaScript or similar
- Experience working with modern development practices, including CI/CD tooling and agile methodologies
- Interest or experience in back-end, front-end, security or serverless technologies
- Ability to communicate effectively with engineering peers and non-technical stakeholders across the business
Desirable skills
- Experience working with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure
- Exposure to cloud-native architectures (e.g. serverless, containers)
- Experience contributing to improvements in team processes, tooling or engineering practices
- Understanding of API design and tools such as OpenAPI
- Exposure to public sector or working within GDS standards and accessibility guidelines
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,241 - £58,997, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Expect a planned, transparent progression with learning and development tailored to your role, an environment with flexible working options and a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, long-term career progression plus the following benefits:
- A salary of £44,241 - £58,997, (inclusive of allowances) dependant on interview assessment
- Accreditations expensed with study days aside in areas such as AWS, Java and many more
- High spec laptop
- An environment with flexible and condensed hours working options
- Generous employer contribution of at least 28.9%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme.
- A great work-life balance
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
- Ability to buy and sell annual leave.
- Digital Communities
- On-site gym plus personal training available
- On-site nursery, restaurants, and coffee bar
- Range of staff groups to support all our colleagues.
- Free parking.
This role requires SC clearance, a condition of which is to have been present in the UK for 5 out of the past 5 years. Client does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
If you are a Software Developer looking to develop your skills and work with the latest technologies on large-scale software delivery projects, then contact one of the team members at Inspire People, or apply now.
Senior Software Engineer employer: Inspire People
At DVLA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Swansea where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide tailored learning opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including a substantial pension contribution and a commitment to work-life balance. Join us to be part of a supportive engineering community that values diversity and encourages the use of cutting-edge technologies to deliver impactful digital services to millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DVLA on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your coding skills. Practice common algorithms and system design questions. We recommend using platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get in the zone.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for tech! During interviews, share your personal projects or contributions to open-source. It’s a great way to demonstrate your skills and enthusiasm for modern software development.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the DVLA team and working with cutting-edge tech.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your experience with modern technologies like Java, Ruby, and cloud platforms to show us you're the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about software development and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your work with agile methodologies or CI/CD practices to grab our attention.
Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any relevant projects, whether personal or professional, make sure to include them in your application. We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, especially if they involve cloud-based solutions or innovative tech.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspire People
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re familiar with the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Java, Spring Boot, Ruby on Rails, and React. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, as well as CI/CD practices. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've tackled challenges in software development. Think about times when you improved performance or resolved issues in live services. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute effectively to the team and support ongoing enhancements.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll need to communicate with both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to articulate your thoughts clearly is crucial. Consider doing mock interviews with friends to refine your communication skills.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working within an agile delivery team, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating with others. Share examples of how you’ve worked with business analysts and other engineers to refine user stories and deliver against requirements. Highlighting your teamwork will show that you fit well into their culture.
