At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative software solutions for National Security using cutting-edge technologies.
- Company: Join a leading tech company with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible working, and a strong benefits package.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working on mission-critical projects that protect people and information.
- Qualifications: Experience in AWS, big data platforms, and strong coding skills in Python or Java.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re a leading technology and engineering company supporting customers across National Security, Defence and Intelligence, delivering systems that operate in the most demanding and sensitive environments.
As a Senior Software Engineer, you’ll deliver mission critical solutions for National Security customers - building products that protect people, platforms, missions and information against evolving threats. You’ll help customers use data to improve mission outcomes, lead teams hands-on, and mentor others while working at the forefront of innovation.
Responsibilities
- Solution design and architecture
- Design cloud-native data processing architectures in AWS
- Define scalable big data solutions on a Hadoop based platform
- Evaluate appropriate technologies and patterns for data ingestion, transformation, and storage
- Produce architecture diagrams and technical design documentation
- Support secure and resilient system design aligned with customer standards
- Data engineering and pipeline development
- Develop and maintain data ingestion and transformation pipelines
- Implement batch data workflows across distributed systems
- Work with large datasets using Hadoop and related technologies
- Write data processing scripts using Python, Pig, and Java-based frameworks
- Cloud platform engineering
- Use AWS services such as Step Functions, S3, Lambda and EMR
- Implement infrastructure automation via CDK or Terraform
- Performance optimisation
- Optimise distributed data processing jobs for performance and cost efficiency
- Troubleshoot issues across Hadoop clusters, data pipelines, and applications
- Monitor system health and resolve operational incidents
- Consultancy and stakeholder engagement
- Work directly with technical and non-technical stakeholders to understand requirements
- Provide technical guidance and best-practice recommendations
- Support project planning, estimation, and technical decision-making within the SAFe customer business unit
- Present technical solutions and trade-offs clearly
Required Skillset
- Experience with AWS services and cloud-native design patterns
- Understanding of cloud security, identity management, and networking fundamentals
- Experience with Big data platforms e.g. Hadoop
- Understanding of distributed data processing concepts
- Experience working with large-scale datasets and cluster-based processing
- Experience building and managing data flows
- Knowledge of data ingestion, transformation, and orchestration patterns
- Strong experience in Python or Java
- DevOps experience e.g. Git, GitLab, CI/CD pipelines, Containerisation
Why Roke
You’ll work with smart, supportive people on projects that genuinely matter, in an environment that values technical excellence, collaboration and continuous learning. We invest in your growth, value diverse thinking and offer flexible working alongside a strong benefits package (including 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays). Roke combines a 70+ year heritage with the agility to make a real impact.
Location: Based in Gloucester and customer sites for high‑side integration/deployment. Limited hybrid working may be possible, subject to project needs and may vary between assignments.
Clearance: Valid SC clearance is required for this post. If you are eligible but don’t hold SC, please explore other engineering roles via Roke’s Careers Page. Eligibility details can be found on gov.uk.
Senior Software Engineer employer: Roke
Roke is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation within the National Security sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide access to flexible benefits, professional development opportunities, and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact project success while being part of a community that shares your passion for technology and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨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 Roke 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 Roke.
✨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 Roke.
✨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 Roke 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
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 Roke.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Roke 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 Roke
✨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 Roke 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.
