At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and enhance Java desktop applications that make a real-world impact.
- Company: Join Semantics 21, an award-winning UK software company focused on public safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Enjoy a dynamic workplace with direct access to leadership and modern development tools.
- Why this job: Make your mark in a small team where your ideas and leadership truly matter.
- Qualifications: Strong Java experience, especially with desktop applications using Swing or JavaFX.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Build and improve real-world Java desktop software in a small, influential engineering team where your technical decisions, ideas, and leadership will genuinely matter. Hands-on Java desktop software role focused on Swing-based commercial applications - not web development.
About Us
Semantics 21 is a multi-award-winning UK software company developing specialist desktop software used internationally within public safety and investigative environments. Our technology helps organisations process and review digital evidence more effectively, supporting work that can have genuine real-world impact in areas including child protection and public safety. We are growing our engineering team and are looking for a Senior Java Software Engineer to help develop large-scale desktop applications used operationally by organisations internationally. Despite the sensitive environments our software supports, development staff are never exposed to illegal or disturbing material as part of their role.
The Role
This is a hands-on software engineering role focused on long-term desktop application development - not web development. You will work across both existing and new applications, contributing to software used daily in real operational environments where reliability, usability, and performance genuinely matter. This role may suit an experienced developer already operating at senior level, or a strong Java developer ready to step into greater technical ownership, mentoring, and long-term product influence. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building real software products, solving practical engineering problems, and contributing ideas within a smaller technical team where your voice and technical direction genuinely matter.
You will be involved in:
- Desktop application development using Java and Swing, with some JavaFX where appropriate
- Improving and maintaining large commercial codebases
- Performance optimisation and troubleshooting
- Designing intuitive desktop user interfaces
- Database integration using technologies such as MySQL and SQLite
- File processing, reporting, and data handling
- Contributing ideas, innovation, and long-term technical improvements across the wider platform
- Helping guide development standards, architecture decisions, and future technical direction
- Supporting, mentoring, and where appropriate supervising other developers as the team grows.
We use modern development tooling and actively support sensible use of AI-assisted development tools, such as Codex, where they improve productivity, code understanding, testing, or development workflow.
Why Join Us / What We Offer
We are a smaller engineering team where developers are encouraged to contribute ideas, improvements, and innovation - not simply complete assigned tasks. Developers work directly with the CEO within a flat management structure. This gives the development team direct access to someone with hands-on software development, architecture, customer, and investigator experience. Your input will directly influence products, workflows, technical direction, and long-term development decisions across the company. This is not an environment where developers are treated as interchangeable resources or isolated from decision-making. Your ideas will be heard, challenged, and where appropriate, implemented. This role suits developers who enjoy building real, long-term software products rather than short-lived web, marketing, or internal dashboard projects.
What We're Looking For
We are ideally looking for someone with:
- Strong commercial Java development experience
- Experience developing desktop applications using Swing and/or JavaFX
- Strong understanding of Core Java and object-oriented programming
- Experience working within larger or long-term codebases
- Good debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical challenges
- Ability to think beyond individual tickets and contribute to longer-term product improvement
- Strong written and verbal English communication skills
Experience with any of the following would also be beneficial:
- Multithreading/concurrency
- MySQL or SQLite
- JasperReports
- Git
- File parsing and processing
- AI-assisted development workflows
Strong personal projects, GitHub work, or demonstrable practical coding ability are valued more highly than formal qualifications alone. Please include links to previous work, GitHub, portfolio projects, screenshots, or other examples in your CV or application where available.
Working Environment
Based from our Stafford (ST18) office. This is primarily an office-based role at our Stafford office. Hybrid working may be considered by exception depending on experience, role fit, and business needs. Shortlisted candidates will be welcomed into the office as part of the process. Full-time, permanent role. Free onsite parking. We support flexible working hours where possible. Most roles are based around a 7.5-hour working day, Monday-Friday, during normal office hours, with start and finish times agreed around team and business needs. Typical patterns may include 08:00-16:00, 09:00-17:00, or 10:00-18:00.
What We Offer
£35,000 - £45,000 depending on experience, capability, and level of responsibility. Long-term stable product development work. Real influence within a growing engineering team. Direct involvement in product and technical direction. Modern development environment and tooling. Sensible use of AI-assisted development tools. Opportunities for progression and increased technical responsibility over time. Friendly, supportive, and low-bureaucracy working environment.
Important Note
This role is specifically focused on Java desktop software engineering. Applicants focused primarily on web development frameworks are unlikely to be suitable for this position. Please include an up-to-date CV. A formal cover letter is not required, but a short note explaining your relevant Java desktop experience, project examples, or links to previous work is welcome. We review applications as they arrive and aim to contact suitable candidates promptly rather than waiting until the closing date. The role may close once we find the right candidate, so early applications are encouraged. To help us assess applications fairly, please answer the application questions and include relevant links or examples where available. Applications with incomplete information may be harder for us to assess and may not be progressed. You can learn more about our products, videos, and webinars on our website. Direct applicants only - no recruitment agencies.
Senior Java Software Engineer in Stafford employer: Semantics 21
At Semantics 21, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture where your contributions directly shape the future of our impactful software solutions. Our Stafford office fosters a supportive environment with flexible working hours, opportunities for professional growth, and direct access to leadership, ensuring that every team member's voice is valued and heard. Join us to work on meaningful projects that enhance public safety while enjoying a modern development environment and the chance to influence real-world outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Software Engineer in Stafford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work with Java or in desktop software. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a GitHub repository showcasing your Java projects, especially any desktop applications you've built. This gives potential employers a taste of your coding style and problem-solving abilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common Java questions and coding challenges. Practice explaining your thought process while solving problems, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and technical ownership.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Semantics 21. Plus, it makes it easier for us to see your application and get in touch quickly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java Software Engineer in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Java Skills:Make sure to highlight your Java desktop development experience in your CV. We want to see your hands-on work with Swing and any cool projects you've tackled. Don't forget to include links to your GitHub or any relevant portfolios!
Keep It Relevant:When you write your application, focus on your experience that aligns with our needs. Mention specific projects where you've improved performance or tackled complex problems. This helps us see how you'd fit into our team!
Be Yourself:We love a bit of personality! While we appreciate professionalism, don’t hesitate to let your unique voice shine through in your application. A short note about your passion for desktop software can make a big difference.
Apply Early!:We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the closing date. If you think you’re a good fit, get your application in through our website ASAP. The sooner, the better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Semantics 21
✨Know Your Java Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially focusing on Swing and JavaFX. Be prepared to discuss your experience with desktop applications and how you've tackled performance optimisation and debugging in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share specific examples of how you've solved complex engineering problems. Think about times when you improved a codebase or contributed to long-term product enhancements, as this will resonate well with the team.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves mentoring and guiding other developers, be ready to talk about your experiences in collaborative environments. Highlight any leadership roles you've taken on and how you've supported your teammates in achieving their goals.
✨Bring Your Ideas to the Table
This is a company that values innovation, so come prepared with ideas on how to improve existing products or processes. Show them that you're not just a coder but someone who thinks strategically about software development.
