At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and maintain impactful software for one of the world's most visited museums.
- Company: Join the Natural History Museum, a leader in science and visitor engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, pension scheme, training opportunities, and free museum access.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while shaping the digital future of a renowned institution.
- Qualifications: Experience in software engineering and a passion for mentoring and collaboration.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the Museum's unique collections and our unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the Museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 1100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the Museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the Museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About the role
This is an opportunity to take real ownership as a Senior Software Engineer at the Natural History Museum, 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 shape technical direction, design robust APIs and services, and contribute to engineering standards and continuous improvement, while mentoring others and raising quality across the team.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is excited by the chance to build and run production systems with real reach and responsibility, and to influence how software is designed and delivered at scale. You’ll enjoy solving complex problems, making thoughtful trade-offs and taking pride in creating secure, reliable and maintainable services that stand the test of time. You’re motivated by collaboration, impact and helping others grow through mentoring and shared best practice. You’ll value the opportunity to shape engineering standards, improve ways of working and play a visible role in the Museum’s evolving digital future.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the Museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the Museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
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.
How to apply
If this sounds like you, please apply below by clicking on Apply for job. Please note that as part of our commitment to anonymised shortlisting, panels do not view CVs during the recruitment process. If you choose to upload your CV, our system will automatically pull information from your CV into our application form. We advise you to double-check your application form data before submitting as the tool may interpret CVs differently.
Closing date: 23:59 on 22nd February
Interviews expected: w/c 23rd February
Please note that this role does not qualify for Museum sponsorship so the successful postholder will need to have a valid right to work in the UK at the point of offer.
Senior Software Engineer employer: National History Museum
Contact Detail:
National History Museum Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Museum's mission and values inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us how your passion for technology aligns with our vision of a thriving planet and people. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t just talk about your skills; demonstrate them! Bring examples of your past projects or challenges you've tackled. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in your previous roles, especially in building reliable systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about collaboration and mentoring. We value teamwork and growth, so share how you’ve helped others develop their skills. Show us you’re not just a lone wolf but a team player who lifts others up!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, don’t forget to ask questions! This is your chance to find out more about our culture and how we work. It shows us you’re genuinely interested and helps you figure out if we’re the right fit for you too.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for software engineering and how it aligns with our mission.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills. Show us how your background fits with the role of Senior Software Engineer and how you can contribute to our vision.
Double-Check Your Details: Before hitting that submit button, take a moment to review your application. Ensure all your information is accurate and reflects your best self. Remember, we use an automated system, so clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at the Museum!
How to prepare for a job interview at National History Museum
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills and knowledge relevant to the role of a Senior Software Engineer. Be prepared to discuss your experience with building APIs, services, and any specific technologies mentioned in the job description. This will show that you're not just a good fit but also genuinely interested in the work.
✨Show Your Passion for Impact
The Museum is all about making a difference. During the interview, share examples of how your work has positively impacted users or improved systems in previous roles. Highlight your excitement about contributing to projects that engage millions of visitors and support the Museum's mission.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with product managers and stakeholders, be ready to discuss your collaborative experiences. Talk about how you've mentored others, shared best practices, and contributed to team success. This will demonstrate that you value teamwork and are committed to helping others grow.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the Museum's digital future, engineering standards, or how they approach diversity and inclusion. This shows that you're not only interested in the role but also in the organisation's values and vision. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.