At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and enhance Java desktop software in a dynamic engineering team.
- Company: Join Semantics 21, an award-winning UK software company making a real-world impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with direct access to leadership and innovative projects.
- Why this job: Make your mark on impactful software that supports public safety and investigative work.
- Qualifications: Strong Java development skills and experience with desktop applications are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ 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.
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.
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
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 an office-based role at our Stafford office. Shortlisted candidates may 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
- £30,000 - £35,000 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.
Java Software Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Semantics 21
At Semantics 21, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture where your contributions truly matter. Our Stafford office fosters a supportive environment with direct access to leadership, allowing you to influence product development and technical direction while enjoying flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth. Join us to make a real-world impact through meaningful software engineering in a team that values your ideas and expertise.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Java Software Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech world, especially those who work with Java or in similar roles. 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 profile 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 practical coding challenges. Practice makes perfect, so consider mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to sharpen your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Semantics 21.
We think you need these skills to ace Java Software Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Java Skills:Make sure to highlight your Java desktop development experience, especially with Swing and JavaFX. We want to see your hands-on skills, so don’t forget to include links to your GitHub or any personal projects that showcase your coding prowess!
Keep It Relevant:When you write your application, focus on your experience that directly relates to the role. Mention specific projects or challenges you've tackled that align with our needs in desktop application development. This helps us see how you can 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 explaining your relevant experience can go a long way in making your application stand out.
Apply Early!:We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the closing date to apply. If you think this role is for you, head over to our website and submit your application today. 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 desktop applications using Swing and JavaFX. Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting how you tackled specific challenges and optimised performance.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to demonstrate your analytical and debugging abilities. You might be asked to solve a coding problem or troubleshoot a scenario, so practice explaining your thought process clearly as you work through it.
✨Communicate Your Ideas
Since this role values input from all team members, think about how you can contribute to the technical direction of the projects. Prepare examples of how you've influenced past projects or processes and be ready to share your innovative ideas during the interview.
✨Bring Your Portfolio
Don’t forget to include links to your GitHub or any relevant projects in your application. Having tangible examples of your work will not only impress the interviewers but also give them a better understanding of your coding style and capabilities.
