At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop impactful digital services for the public sector.
- Company: Mission-driven digital consultancy focused on community transformation.
- Benefits: 30 days holiday, health support, personal development budget, and more.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values learning and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public services while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in full-stack development with Java and Agile practices.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Use your engineering expertise to improve services that millions rely on. We are hiring a Senior Software Engineer to join a mission‑driven digital consultancy supporting major public sector organisations. You will help design and deliver modern, user‑centred digital services - working with multidisciplinary teams to solve meaningful problems and drive sustainable change. If you are passionate about high‑quality engineering, enjoy mentoring others, and want your work to have real public impact, this role is for you.
The Role
As a Senior Software Engineer (Full Stack) you will design, build and deploy scalable, secure and well‑tested software solutions. You will contribute to architecture decisions, champion development best practice, and help guide engineers at all levels. You will work closely with designers, product managers, DevOps specialists and delivery leads, shaping software that meets real user needs and supports long‑term transformation in the public sector.
What You Will Be Doing
- Designing, developing and maintaining complex full‑stack solutions
- Making architectural decisions aligned with project goals and good engineering practice
- Leading on CI/CD implementation and optimisation to improve delivery speed and quality
- Mentoring junior and mid-level engineers, promoting modern software standards
- Collaborating with cross‑functional teams (Product, UX, DevOps, QA)
- Conducting code reviews and advocating for high coding standards
- Troubleshooting production and development issues
- Driving continuous improvement across testing, documentation and tooling
- Providing technical insight in early project discovery phases
- Communicating complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders
What We Are Looking For
Essential
- Proven experience in full‑stack software development (design, build, test, deploy)
- Strong hands‑on experience with Java, Spring Boot, and microservices
- Solid understanding of Agile and DevOps practices, with real‑world CI/CD delivery
- Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure or GCP) and Infrastructure as Code
- Proficiency with automated testing, code quality practices and modern engineering tooling
- Knowledge of microservices, containers (Docker/Kubernetes), or serverless architectures
- Ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical audiences
Desirable
- Previous experience in a senior engineering or technical leadership role
- Public sector or central government project experience
- Consultancy experience and comfort working directly with clients
- Proficiency across multiple languages (Java, Python, JavaScript, etc.)
Who This Role Suits
You will thrive here if you:
- Enjoy solving complex, meaningful problems
- Want to contribute to public sector services with real citizen impact
- Like mentoring others and shaping engineering culture
- Value continuous learning and modern engineering practices
- Are collaborative, empathetic and comfortable working in agile, multi‑disciplinary teams
Why Join
This organisation is purpose‑driven, focusing on people‑powered transformation that improves communities, public services and long‑term outcomes. You will be part of a supportive, values‑driven team that champions learning, openness and sustainable change.
Benefits include
- 30 days holiday + bank holidays
- 2 paid volunteer days
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- 5% pension contribution
- Health cash plan & wellbeing support
- Personal learning & development budget
- Share Incentive Plan
- EV leasing, cycle‑to‑work and green benefits…and more.
If you are a Senior Software Engineer who wants to deliver meaningful public sector change through high‑quality engineering, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable Adjustments
Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients. If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.
Senior Java Full Stack Software Engineer employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
As a PAM Consultant with our esteemed consulting client, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. The company offers robust employee growth opportunities, including continuous training in cutting-edge security practices, while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that values every individual's contribution. Located in the UK, this role not only provides competitive benefits but also the chance to make a meaningful impact on clients' security postures through your expertise in Privileged Access Management.
Contact Details:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Full Stack 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 Sanderson Government & Defence 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 Sanderson Government & Defence.
✨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 Sanderson Government & Defence.
✨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 Sanderson Government & Defence 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 Java Full Stack 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 Sanderson Government & Defence.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Sanderson Government & Defence 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 Sanderson Government & Defence
✨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 Sanderson Government & Defence 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.
