At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of user-centred software solutions using Java or Scala.
- Company: Join Opencast Software, a supportive tech company that values quality over speed.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Regular travel across the UK and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering innovative solutions in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Senior Software Developer with strong consulting skills.
The predicted salary is between 78000 - 78000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Opencast Software to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. Read on to fully understand what this job requires in terms of skills and experience. If you are a good match, make an application.
Ready to work somewhere that cares more about how you build software than how fast you can ship it? At Opencast, we don’t measure developers by the number of tickets you complete. We care about engineering craft, clean design and thoughtful problem-solving. Opencast consultants deliver in complex environments, pairing often and working with others who take pride in doing things properly: TDD, emerging design, refactoring and leaving code better than they found it. We build software we are proud of, and our clients trust us not just to code but to think, challenge and guide. If you value simple and robust solutions and want a role where your judgment matters as much as your keyboard, this could be a great fit for you.
The role Software developers at Opencast care about building products right and combine their own experience and approach with our company values. They are tech agnostic, have expertise in agile methodologies, eXtreme programming practices and use industry-leading programming languages to deliver agile transformation. Our approach to software development is collaborative, focused on keeping things simple, and we use test driven development and pair programming as best practice. Working with clients and key stakeholders is a crucial part of a consultancy role. Our developers are inclusive team players that listen, collaborate, can positively challenge and manage expectations when needed but most of all are always willing to teach and help others. Leaving a client with improved ways of working, working technology and a good experience from discovery through to live is the priority. The role is varied, technical, never confined to any one provider or solution and there are always opportunities for learning and development.
Requirements This role involves weekly on-site work, and you’ll be required to travel regularly to client locations across the UK. We’re looking for people who value in-person collaboration, enjoy building strong relationships, and are passionate about delivering solutions that make a real difference for our clients. Due to the nature of this role, you must either hold active Security Check (SC) clearance or be eligible and willing to undergo the clearance process. SC clearance is granted in line with UK Government security vetting requirements. Typically, applicants must have UK citizenship and have lived continuously in the UK for at least the past five years, with no single absence exceeding 28 consecutive days. Nationality and immigration status may also be considered as part of the vetting process. We are unable to progress applications from candidates who do not meet these requirements. If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to review the guidance or discuss this with us before applying. We’re looking to welcome new team members for multiple roles from September onwards. If you’re interested in joining Opencast, we’d encourage you to apply.
Essential experience To succeed in this role, you’ll have experience as a Senior Software Developer and be able to demonstrate, with tangible examples, that you can:
- Lead the design and delivery of high-quality, user-centred services using Java or Scala.
- Use a range of technologies, including languages such as Kotlin, Ruby or JavaScript, to solve real problems in the right way.
- Design and build scalable, maintainable systems, considering performance, security and accessibility.
- Build quality into your work by embedding strong testing practices throughout delivery.
- Bring recent government (public sector) experience.
- Deliver complex digital services aligned to Government Digital Service (GDS) standards, supporting others to do the same.
- Explore and adopt new technologies, helping teams learn and continuously improve.
- Work within agile teams to deliver value early and often, adapting to changing needs.
Essential consulting skills In addition to software engineering skills, there are essential core skills you’ll need to be an Opencast consultant. You’ll need to demonstrate how you:
- Shape and guide delivery by driving clear, prioritised backlogs aligned to user and client needs.
- Lead on technical delivery, supporting others and ensuring a high-quality approach from idea through to implementation.
- Set and evolve testing approaches that build confidence and improve outcomes across the team.
- Encourage collaborative ways of working, including pairing and mobbing, to share knowledge and strengthen delivery.
- Build trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, communicating openly and helping shape the right solutions.
- Lead technical conversations in discovery and delivery, bringing clarity to complex problems.
- Support and develop others through coaching, mentoring and sharing good practice.
- Respond positively to change, showing resilience, adaptability and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Bring multidisciplinary teams together, aligning stakeholders and disciplines to shape solutions and deliver value for users.
During the interview process, we’ll ask questions to explore your experience across these areas.
Salary £61,001 - £78,000 per annum.
What we offer A competitive package including a 7% employer pension contribution, share options, and a discretionary bonus. You’ll also benefit from 25 days holiday and access to 3 annual life happens days to support unexpected situations. We provide wellbeing support, ongoing professional development, volunteering opportunities, and the chance to be part of a genuinely supportive team.
Where you’ll work This role requires regular on-site attendance at our HQ, hub offices, and client sites, as well as the ability to work from home. Applicants must be able to travel to offices and client sites across the UK as part of their normal working arrangements, as travel is essential for fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.
We include you We welcome candidates from all identities, attributes, ways of thinking and backgrounds to thrive in a career at Opencast. Our aim is for the diversity of our people to be reflected in the solutions we deliver, to help create a fairer society for all.
Interview Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. We’re happy to make adjustments to support your needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Woking
✨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 Opencast Software 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 Opencast Software.
✨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 Opencast Software.
✨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 Opencast Software 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 in Woking
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 Opencast Software.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Opencast Software 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 Opencast Software
✨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 Opencast Software 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.