At a Glance
- Tasks: Build and enhance impactful Java desktop software in a collaborative team.
- Company: Join Semantics 21, an award-winning UK software company making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for growth in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Enjoy a flat management structure and direct influence on product development.
- Why this job: Make a real-world impact while developing innovative desktop applications.
- Qualifications: Strong Java skills and experience with desktop applications are essential.
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 Stoke-on-Trent 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 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 long-term product direction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Software Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Get your hands dirty with some coding challenges! Brush up on your Java skills and tackle problems that reflect real-world scenarios. This will not only boost your confidence but also give you great talking points during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Semantics 21 on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your projects! Make sure to have a solid portfolio ready, showcasing your Java desktop applications. Include links to your GitHub or any relevant work that highlights your skills and creativity.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to meaningful software development.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior 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 include links to any relevant projects or GitHub repositories 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 where you've tackled similar challenges, and don't forget to explain how your contributions made a difference.
Be Yourself:We love authenticity! While we appreciate professionalism, don’t hesitate to let your personality shine through in your application. A short note about your passion for desktop software and how you can contribute to our team can go a long way.
Apply Early!:We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the closing date to apply. The sooner you submit your application through our website, the better your chances of standing out!
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 past projects in detail, highlighting how you've tackled challenges and optimised performance in desktop applications.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
During the interview, be ready to demonstrate your analytical thinking 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.
✨Bring Your Ideas to the Table
This role values innovation, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on potential improvements or new features for existing applications. Think about how you can contribute to long-term product development and be prepared to discuss your vision.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
Since this is a smaller team, emphasise your ability to collaborate and mentor others. Share examples of how you've supported colleagues in the past and how you can contribute to a positive team dynamic while taking ownership of your work.
