At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and enhance Python software for public sector pensions, ensuring fair choices for workers.
- Company: Join the Scottish Public Pensions Agency, dedicated to securing financial futures.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive pay, and a supportive environment focused on wellbeing.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a dynamic, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working with modern tech in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Experience in Python, cloud services, and a passion for user-focused development.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers pensions for Scottish Teachers, Police, Firefighters and National Health Service employees on behalf of the Scottish Government. We're responsible for protecting the financial futures of over half a million people, that’s around 1 in 10 people in Scotland.
If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive environment and a career with purpose, you’ll find it at the SPPA. Our office is based in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, the train station is a short two minute walk away and offers regular services to and from Edinburgh Waverley, making it a convenient and well connected location for commuters. The surrounding area offers access to green space, walking routes and a strong sense of local community, supporting wellbeing both in and outside of work.
Our modern office building is designed to support flexible and collaborative working, with spaces for teamwork, quiet focus and hybrid working. Colleagues benefit from a comfortable, welcoming environment that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.
As a Software Engineer at SPPA, you’ll maintain and enhance the agency's Python-based Standalone Pension Calculator which is central to the McCloud Remedy Programme, helping ensure fair pension choices for public sector workers - while building secure, scalable solutions using modern technologies in a collaborative, user-focused environment. This role will form part of the SPPA Development Team, a sub-team of SPPA Information Technology.
Responsibilities
- Develop, test, and maintain Python-based software solutions - including the standalone pension calculator - using modern frameworks and tools.
- Design secure, scalable systems and components following established architectural patterns and development standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure solutions meet user needs and strategic goals.
- Contribute to cloud-based deployments and support ongoing maintenance and fault resolution.
- Participate in code reviews, prototyping, and knowledge sharing to uphold quality and support team development.
- Translate user stories and specifications into detailed technical designs and implementations.
- Embed security controls and ensure compliance with information security standards throughout the development lifecycle.
- Continuously improve development processes by identifying deficiencies and supporting optimisation initiatives.
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
- Experience writing programs and scripts using Python, object-oriented programming (OOP), Python back-end framework such as Flask, SQL, JavaScript (Next.js) for front end, and version control tools like Git.
- Experience developing and deploying cloud-based services, particularly those built with modern frameworks and databases, using containerisation tools such as Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud infrastructure (Azure).
- Experience of the technologies and patterns used by established architectural patterns and engineering practices, such as SOLID principles, modular design, secure data structures, and cloud-native patterns like micro services and event-driven architectures.
- Experience participating in team development processes to identify process deficiencies and support specific activities to improve them.
Behaviours:
- Communicating & Influencing - Level 3
- Delivering at Pace - Level 3
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £6,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly – pay supplements are reviewed regularly.
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
We will hold a reserve list for this post for 12 months. Apply Before: 26th July 2026.
Software Engineer employer: Scottish Government
The Scottish Government offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, where you can make a significant impact on customer service and safeguarding across Scotland. With a strong focus on employee development and innovation, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence in public service. Join us in shaping a high-performing organisation that values collaboration and strives for transformative results.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Scottish Government 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 Scottish Government.
✨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 Scottish Government.
✨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 Scottish Government 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 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 Scottish Government.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Scottish Government 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 Scottish Government
✨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 Scottish Government 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.
