Junior Software Engineer (Data) in London

Junior Software Engineer (Data) in London

London Full-Time 27000 - 33000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Prevail

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build and ship innovative software solutions while collaborating with analysts and senior engineers.
  • Company: Join Prevail Partners, a leading British intelligence and security company.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, gym membership, professional development days, and flexible leave entitlements.
  • Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for growth and exciting company socials.
  • Why this job: Kickstart your career in tech, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge tools.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Python and SQL, with a degree or equivalent practical experience.

The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.

About Prevail Partners

Prevail Partners is a leading British intelligence, security and operational support company. We help governments, NGOs and commercial organisations operate safely and effectively in some of the world's most complex environments by combining intelligence, technology and operational expertise. Our teams deliver actionable insight that helps clients manage risk, make informed decisions and achieve meaningful operational impact where it matters most. Our shared mission is to deliver unrelenting excellence in everything we do, underpinned by integrity, curiosity, accountability and care.

About the Role

We are seeking a Junior Software Engineer (Data) to join our Platform & System Operations (PSO) team on a permanent basis. Prevail’s PSO team builds the tools and platforms of our technology landscape, used day to day by the intelligence analysts behind our client investigations. Today these solutions are highly specialised and application-specific, but they share the same backend core: Databricks, AWS and Python, with React on the frontend where needed. We're bringing these tools together into a single, consolidated intelligence platform, and this role will play a part in that evolution.

Reporting to the Software Team Lead, the Junior Software Engineer (Data) will build and ship solutions to a wide range of problems, working with analysts and business development to decide what to build, what to extend and where an existing tool will do the job better. We are looking for a curious and proactive individual who takes ownership of their work, builds strong relationships with others, stays organised under competing priorities, and is eager to learn and grow. The ideal candidate is comfortable seeking support when needed and demonstrates professionalism and discretion when handling sensitive information. It’s a great opportunity for someone early in their career who is technically curious, enjoys solving practical problems, and wants to build real delivery and engineering experience while working alongside senior engineers and the rest of the team.

Given the sensitive nature of the data our tools hold, this role is subject to background screening, and you will need to be eligible for UK security clearance.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Build, test and release features and fixes across our internal tools and platforms, taking your own work through to production with review from senior colleagues.
  • Write and maintain Python and SQL across our data pipelines, backend services and the queries that power our tools, with code review from senior colleagues.
  • Work closely with intelligence analysts to understand the problems they're trying to solve, translate these into scoped pieces of work, and turn their feedback into improvements you deliver, escalating the larger items to engineers and product owners.
  • Deepen your working knowledge of Databricks, AWS, Python and React, taking on more of the stack as you develop.
  • Help evaluate and integrate third-party tools where buying beats building, working with analysts and business development to test the options and wire the chosen tool into our environment.
  • Support analysts day to day, triaging issues and escalating technical problems where needed.
  • Document solutions, workflows and known issues clearly, contributing to a growing knowledge base for the team.
  • Maintain high standards of data security and information handling given the sensitive nature of the intelligence and client data our tools support.

Requirements

Essential Skills and Experience:

  • Hands-on coding experience in Python and SQL, whether from a degree, personal projects, internships or previous roles, and the appetite to pick up cloud and data platforms quickly.
  • Familiarity with version control (Git) and a willingness to work to the team's review, testing and documentation standards.
  • A degree in a relevant subject (e.g. computer science, data, engineering, or a related technical or analytical discipline), or equivalent practical experience.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down a user's problem and think through practical, workable solutions.
  • Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to testing, documenting and troubleshooting.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users and vice versa.
  • Comfortable working directly with end users, building relationships and gathering requirements through conversation.

Desirable Skills and Experience:

  • Exposure to Databricks, Spark, AWS or React, whether through study, personal projects or previous roles.
  • Previous experience as a software engineer, data engineering or analytics role, including internships and placements.
  • Experience working in an agile or fast-paced software development environment.
  • An interest in or awareness of the intelligence, OSINT, security or investigations space.
  • Experience producing clear technical documentation and user guides.

Benefits

Prevail Partners believes in recognising and rewarding our people. Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, financial security, professional development, and life beyond work:

  • AXA Private Medical Insurance: Fully funded private healthcare cover through AXA.
  • Health Shield Cashback Plan: Claim cashback on everyday healthcare costs including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, and more.
  • Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme: A tax-efficient way to save for your future through pension contributions.
  • Employee Assistance Programme: Confidential mental health, legal, financial, and wellbeing support through Health Hero.
  • Free Gym Membership & Wellness Perks: Free gym access for London employees at Manor Gym, plus company-sponsored fitness classes each week.
  • Enhanced Leave Entitlements: Supporting you through important life moments with flexibility and care.
  • Professional Development Days: Dedicated time off to focus on your personal and professional growth through training, courses, or self-directed learning.
  • Cycle to Work Scheme: Tax-efficient savings on bikes and accessories, available post-probation.
  • Season Ticket Loans: Interest-free loans to support annual commuting costs.
  • Socials & Team Culture: Company socials every other Thursday, regular run club meetups, plus summer and Christmas events that bring the team together.
  • Culture & Development: A values-led culture with collaborative initiatives and meaningful opportunities for personal and professional development.

Junior Software Engineer (Data) in London employer: Prevail

Prevail Partners is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare, wellness perks, and dedicated professional development days. With a values-led culture that fosters collaboration and accountability, employees thrive in a dynamic environment where they can make meaningful contributions to critical operations in challenging contexts. Located in London, the company also provides opportunities for social engagement and team-building, ensuring a supportive and enriching workplace experience.

Prevail

Contact Details:

Prevail Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Junior Software Engineer (Data) 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 Prevail 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 Prevail.

Tap into Online Developer Communities

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Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

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We think you need these skills to ace Junior Software Engineer (Data) in London

Python
SQL
Databricks
AWS
React
Git
Problem-Solving Skills

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 Prevail.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Prevail 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 Prevail

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 Prevail 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.