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- Tasks: Design and maintain secure digital services while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, a leader in innovative public sector technology.
- Benefits: Structured onboarding, support, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Ideal for those returning from a career break, with a focus on confidence-building.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by returning to software development in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and modern engineering practices required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Have you taken a career break from Software Development and are thinking about returning? The Returnship programme is intended for applicants returning from an extended career break for 18 months or more, or who is currently working outside software development, but who has previously worked as a senior software developer or in a comparable role. This returnship programme is designed for experienced software developers returning to work after an extended career break. It offers a supported route back into technical roles, recognising that returning is a transition and that confidence, working practices and tools may have changed during time away.
You’ll join a delivery team in either the Home Office or the Ministry of Justice, working on real digital services with structured onboarding, support, and development opportunities provided throughout the programme.
This role aligns against Software Developer from the Government Digital and Data Framework. As a Senior Software Developer on the returnship programme, you will contribute to building, improving and maintaining digital services that need to be secure, reliable and user‑centred. You’ll work in multidisciplinary teams and help promote good engineering practices.
As a Senior Software Developer on the Returnship Programme you’ll:
- Design, build and maintain secure services (APIs, systems and applications), making sound engineering decisions that balance user needs, performance, resilience and security.
- Work confidently with existing codebases, improving quality, structure and maintainability.
- Improve the stability, resilience and operability of software by identifying and addressing technical risks early.
- Apply modern engineering practices that support continuous delivery, including automation, testing and safe deployment patterns.
- Collaborate across disciplines (product, design, user research, delivery) to shape solutions through discovery, development and iteration.
- Help your team prioritise technical work, balancing new delivery with the needs of live services.
- Support and develop others through coaching, mentoring and technical leadership (line management may apply depending on role placement).
Note: The specific services and teams you work on will vary by department. More detailed department‑specific examples are included in the candidate pack linked at the bottom of the page (Home Office and Ministry of Justice sections).
We’re interested in people who can demonstrate all of the below essential criteria:
- Experience delivering large and/or complex software solutions.
- Experience building web applications or back‑end systems using a modern object‑oriented language, and confidence learning new languages.
- Experience using modern development practices such as CI/CD, automated testing, and working safely with live services.
- A well established approach to software quality, including clean code, maintainable design, and appropriate documentation.
- Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical decisions clearly.
- A systematic approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.
Interested? For full details, essential criteria and how to apply, click through to Civil Service Jobs.
Senior Software Developer (Returnship Programme) - Government Digital Service - G7 in Manchester employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Developer (Returnship Programme) - Government Digital Service - G7 in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to former colleagues or industry contacts. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet, and a personal recommendation can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your skills! Take some time to get familiar with the latest tools and technologies in software development. Online courses or coding challenges can help you regain your confidence and show potential employers you're serious about returning.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios. Mock interviews with friends or using online platforms can help you articulate your experience and how it relates to the role you're applying for.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you navigate the application process and find the right fit for your skills and experience. Plus, it’s a great way to stay updated on new openings!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Developer (Returnship Programme) - Government Digital Service - G7 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects your experience in software development, especially any relevant projects or roles you've had before your break. Highlight skills that align with the job description, like modern development practices and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell your story! Explain your career break and how you're ready to jump back into software development. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to deliver complex solutions and work with modern technologies.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to include any recent learning or projects you’ve undertaken during your break. Whether it’s online courses, personal projects, or contributions to open-source, these can show your commitment to staying current in the field.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of success. It’s a straightforward process, and we’re excited to see your application come through!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Brush Up on Your Skills
Before the interview, take some time to refresh your knowledge of modern software development practices. Focus on CI/CD, automated testing, and any specific languages or frameworks mentioned in the job description. This will not only boost your confidence but also show that you're proactive about your return to the field.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience as a senior software developer. Highlight any large or complex projects you've worked on, especially those that involved collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Use specific examples to illustrate how you contributed to the success of these projects.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to talk about how you approach problem-solving and continuous improvement. Think of examples where you identified technical risks early or improved the stability and operability of software. This will demonstrate your systematic approach and ability to adapt to new challenges.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the role and the team you'll be working with. Inquire about the specific services you'll be contributing to and how the team prioritises technical work. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.