At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software to enhance the UK's technological resilience against emerging threats.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company dedicated to national security and innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while collaborating with top experts in the field.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, Agile teams, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
UKTL, your work directly strengthens the UK's technological, cyber, and national resilience. You'll collaborate with expert engineers, government partners, and industry specialists to detect, understand, and counter emerging threats. If you're looking for meaningful work in an inclusive environment that values curiosity, teamwork, and continuous learning, you'll thrive here.
As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be at the heart of projects that matter. You'll help design and shape the architecture of systems that support security testing and research that protects critical national infrastructure, influencing how we deliver secure and high-quality software. This is a hands-on technical role where your expertise drives real outcomes.
You will:
- Work across multiple languages, frameworks, and platforms to solve complex challenges
- Help define and improve engineering best practices, branching and deployment strategies
- Review pull requests, guide colleagues, and raise code quality across teams
- Champion innovation and bring new ideas that help us stay ahead of emerging threats
- Collaborate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to shape priorities and deliver meaningful solutions
You will join a wider technical community that shares knowledge, encourages experimentation, and supports your growth. Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week. We strive to offer a great work-life balance – if you are looking for full-time, part-time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
You operate confidently at a deep technical level and enjoy working across a variety of technologies. You're comfortable making informed architectural and engineering decisions, and you bring a forward-looking mindset to how software is designed, built, and maintained. You bring a genuine enthusiasm for discovering and applying new engineering techniques and assessing new technologies with a focus on good engineering practice – including maintainability, longevity, and available market resources.
You may already be leading or mentoring a team, or acting as a technical expert within a high-performing group. You're equally comfortable using COTS software to build solutions as you are building, or guiding others to build, bespoke software. Importantly, you can communicate confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders and make a positive contribution to the organisation.
You are technology-agnostic, ideally a polyglot programmer, and already using Linux and open-source technologies day to day. You are someone who:
- Has experience working in Agile teams
- Understands and applies DevOps/DevSecOps practices
- Uses strong software testing techniques (e.g., TDD/BDD) and writes high-quality tests
- Translates user or business needs into robust technical solutions
- Enjoys solving complex, often novel, engineering problems
- Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively
- Brings curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning
- Is comfortable with multiple programming languages and willing to learn new ones
- Produces high-quality technical documentation
- Evaluates new technologies and creates compelling business cases for their adoption
Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.
About Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
Senior Software Engineer (UKTL) employer: National Physical Laboratory
At UKTL, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in a dynamic environment. Our inclusive culture fosters continuous learning and professional growth, allowing you to work alongside expert engineers and industry specialists on projects that enhance the UK's national resilience. With flexible working options and a commitment to work-life balance, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment in our Birmingham office, where your contributions directly impact critical national infrastructure.
Contact Details:
National Physical Laboratory Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (UKTL)
✨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 Physical Laboratory 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 Physical Laboratory.
✨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 Physical Laboratory.
✨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 Physical Laboratory 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 Senior Software Engineer (UKTL)
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 Physical Laboratory.
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 Physical Laboratory 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 Physical Laboratory
✨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 Physical Laboratory 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.
