Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge

Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 65000 - 73000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Public Library of Science

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design, build, and maintain cloud-native solutions for open science.
  • Company: Join PLOS, a nonprofit leader in open access publishing.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, health insurance, and generous leave policies.
  • Other info: Flexible, inclusive environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in science while working with cutting-edge technologies.
  • Qualifications: Experience in full stack development and cloud technologies required.

The predicted salary is between 65000 - 73000 £ per year.

This position is fully remote/home based. Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the UK and the following US states: FL, IL, MA, MD, NY, PA, TX, VA.

Role Summary

PLOS is a nonprofit, Open Access publisher empowering researchers to accelerate progress in science and medicine by leading a transformation in research communication. The Senior Software Engineer draws on a diversity of experience in software engineering, architecture, and lifecycle management to collaboratively design, build, and maintain modern cloud-native solutions to power the ongoing revolution in open science. A high level of motivation, independence and willingness to constantly learn and improve are necessary to be successful. This role sits within the Digital team and is part of a team of engineers within the software engineering function.

Responsibilities

  • As part of a cross-functional product team, contribute designs, code, tests, code reviews, and excellent judgment towards the development and continuous improvement of our digital platforms.
  • Participate in agile ceremonies and evolving development practices of the team.
  • Contribute to the overall platform architecture.
  • Ensure new work is delivered in alignment with said architecture.
  • Establish and support development processes.
  • Provide stewardship of the long-term sustainability of our platform and actively manage platform health and technical debt.

Knowledge and Skills

  • Significant professional software engineering experience gained in a full stack environment, ideally with experience using Google Cloud, Python, React, Kubernetes, BigQuery, or similar modern technologies.
  • Hands-on experience developing, shipping, operating, and/or maintaining consumer and/or enterprise web applications.
  • Demonstrated passion for delivering testable, instrumented, and reliable code.
  • Strong track record of using and improving agile software development and related design practices.
  • Deep understanding and experience of at least one server-side language.
  • Expertise in cloud native architectures.
  • Expertise in data pipelines and event-driven architectures preferred.
  • Expertise in machine learning and machine learning pipelines preferred.
  • Solid foundation in secure coding practices.
  • Solid understanding of client-side technology (CSS/HTML/JS).
  • Experience with continuous delivery methods and technologies.
  • Experience with using data to inform development decisions.
  • Ability to collaborate with a variety of functions, personalities and cultures.
  • Ability to actively listen, ask the right questions and see the underlying meaning in what’s being said and not said.
  • Flexible and open minded. Energy and enthusiasm for learning.
  • Problem solving in multiple domains. Resilient, proactive and creative.
  • Ability to pick up new techniques and technologies quickly.
  • Pragmatic while maintaining an attention to detail.
  • Self-directed and capable of working under minimal supervision.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related academic degrees and/or equivalent experience preferred alongside a strong background in software engineering.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

  • Prolonged periods stationary at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Some national and international travel may be required.
  • Some flexibility to work across time zones.
  • Rare but occasional after hours (evening or weekend) work.

The base salary range we’ve established for these positions is (US): $130,000 - $142,000 or (UK) £65,000- £73,000. PLOS also offers a comprehensive benefits package summarized below.

BENEFITS:

  • US: 401k with employer match, Employee sponsored health, dental and vision insurance (Dental and Vision 100% employer paid), Paid Vacation, 11 public holidays and sick leave, Parental leave, Birthday and three winter holidays days off, Short term and long term disability insurance, 2 days paid time off for volunteering per year, Fully remote work environment with stipend on joining for home office.
  • UK: Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Income protection, Pension with up to 10% employer match, 25 days holidays, market competitive Maternity and Paternity leave, Birthday and three winter holidays days off, 2 days paid time off for volunteering per year, Fully remote work environment with stipend on joining for home office.

About PLOS

Building on a strong legacy of pioneering innovation, PLOS continues to be a catalyst in open science, reimagining models to meet open science principles, removing barriers and promoting inclusion in knowledge creation and sharing, and publishing research outputs that enable everyone to learn from, reuse and build upon scientific knowledge. Our work is supported by a highly skilled global in-house team, partnerships with local scholarly organizations, and the valued contributions of a diverse, international community of scientific researchers.

We’re committed to equal opportunity. We’re working to create a more equitable system of scientific knowledge and understanding. Removing barriers to inclusion and facilitating broad participation of voices is core to our success, inside and out. Beyond accepting distinct perspectives, we seek and support divergent backgrounds among our staff because we know differences strengthen our teams, our work, and our communities. We strongly encourage applicants of all identities to join us as we work towards a future where science is open to all, for all.

Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge employer: Public Library of Science

PLOS is an exceptional employer that champions a fully remote work culture, allowing you to thrive from the comfort of your home while contributing to transformative open science initiatives. With a strong commitment to employee growth, PLOS offers comprehensive benefits including generous holiday allowances, parental leave, and a supportive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages continuous learning. Join a passionate team dedicated to making scientific knowledge accessible to all, where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on the future of research communication.

Public Library of Science

Contact Details:

Public Library of Science Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work at PLOS or similar organisations. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of cloud-native architectures. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with common questions.

Tip Number 3

Show your passion for open science! During interviews, share your thoughts on how technology can enhance research communication. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a coder, but someone who cares about the mission of PLOS.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer in Cambridge

Software Engineering
Full Stack Development
Google Cloud
Python
React
Kubernetes
BigQuery

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your full stack experience and any relevant technologies like Google Cloud or Python. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for open science and how your background aligns with our goals. Be genuine and let us know why you’re excited about this role at PLOS.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any cool projects, especially those involving cloud-native solutions or agile practices, make sure to mention them. We love seeing real examples of your work and how you tackle challenges!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Public Library of Science

Know Your Tech Stack

Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, like Google Cloud, Python, and React. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud-native architectures and data pipelines, as these will likely come up during technical discussions.

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've tackled complex problems in software engineering. Think about how you approached the issue, the steps you took, and the outcome. This will demonstrate your resilience and creativity, which are key traits for this role.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since this role involves working within a cross-functional team, be ready to share experiences where you’ve successfully collaborated with others. Highlight your ability to listen actively and communicate effectively, as these skills are crucial for contributing to a diverse team.

Be Ready for Agile Discussions

Familiarise yourself with agile methodologies and be prepared to discuss how you've applied them in your previous roles. Share insights on how you’ve contributed to improving development practices and how you can bring that experience to the team at PLOS.