At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain digital services for one of the world's most visited museums.
- Company: Join the Natural History Museum, a hub of innovation and culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, pension scheme, and discounts at exhibitions and shops.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how millions engage with history and science.
- Qualifications: Passion for software development and problem-solving in collaborative environments.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the role
This is an opportunity to join Natural History Museum as a Software Engineer, building the services and integrations that underpin both our public-facing digital estate and core business systems, including ticketing and payments. Your work will directly support how millions of visitors engage with one of the most visited museums in the world, online and on site.
Working closely with product managers and business stakeholders, you’ll be involved end-to-end decision making, from discovery, design and delivery. You’ll help develop, test and deploy robust APIs and services, following engineering standards and continuous improvement practices.
About you
We're looking for someone who is excited by the chance to build and run production systems with real reach and responsibility. You'll enjoy working on complex problems and taking pride in creating secure, reliable and maintainable services that stand the test of time.
You’re motivated by collaboration, impact and personal growth. You’ll value the opportunity to play a key role in the Museum’s evolving digital future, supported by a team that’s always learning, iterating, and striving to improve.
What we offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 - 10%)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our Museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in-house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi.
Hybrid working
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first‑hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
Software Engineer in London employer: National History Museum
The Natural History Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Software Engineers to contribute to the digital transformation of one of the world's most iconic institutions. With a strong emphasis on personal growth, collaboration, and innovation, employees benefit from generous holiday allowances, a robust pension scheme, and access to a variety of training initiatives. The hybrid working model and vibrant work culture foster a supportive environment where staff can thrive while making a meaningful impact on millions of visitors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer in London
✨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 National History Museum 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 National History Museum.
✨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 National History Museum.
✨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 National History Museum 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 Engineer in London
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 National History Museum.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at National History Museum 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 National History Museum
✨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 National History Museum 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.
