Senior Scientific Software Engineer (International Sub-Seasonal & Seasonal Outreach)

We're looking for an exceptional Senior Scientific Software Engineer in the International Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Outreach team to help us make a difference to our planet. The job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share.

Your world of expertise: You will join a team of scientists and scientific software engineers (SSEs) to deliver international scientific projects and information-based services in the weather, seasonal forecasting and climate areas. As a Senior Scientific Software Engineer, you will be part of a large community of over 100 SSEs, supporting and enabling cutting-edge science at the Met Office. We are seeking a talented individual to join our efforts in advancing weather and climate science and its applications in international development contexts to help our global partners address their growing need for climate information and services. You will undertake research and development in the use of data science and climate modelling, including model evaluation and interpretation. You will contribute to projects with colleagues across the Met Office and with external partners across the world.

Your key duties: You will be a key member of the International Sub-Seasonal and Seasonal Outreach team, supporting a range of international delivery across weather, seasonal and climate-change timescales, and on programmes such as WISER and WCSSP. You will carry out a substantial level of collaboration with scientists and SSEs across the Met Office and our international partners to maintain and develop both climate modelling systems and code for analysis and visualisation of weather and climate data. You will also play a role in helping team members to improve their coding and software QA skills. You will prepare and deliver training on using software and basic software development for colleagues and project partners which will involve international travel.

Why join us: Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their 'Best Workplaces in Tech' 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their '54 Best Workplaces for Women' 2023 list. As our Senior Scientific Software Engineer, your total reward package will be up to £62,968 annually, which includes: £43,081 base pay, an outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%, and a Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) of £2,700 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills.

Essential Criteria, skills and experience: Evidence of ability in designing and delivering complex software in the Python programming language when presented with a particular problem or use case. Evidence of ability to apply principles of software quality, adopting relevant working practices, and keeping abreast of software development and training opportunities. Evidence of strong communication skills with diverse technical and non-technical audiences and informally guiding the work of others. Evidence of ability to prioritise and manage work to deliver outcomes to deadlines and according to requirements. A background in, or demonstrated interest in weather and/or climate science and its potential to help people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. An ability and enthusiasm to travel overseas up to two times a year to support training of international partners.

Desirable Criteria: We encourage you to apply if you believe you meet our essential criteria, but we're also keen to discover if you have application or experience of AI/ML within a software engineering role, with the exception of LLMs.

Closing date: 02/09/2026 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 14/09/2026. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

Using AI in your application: We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code. We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.