At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop impactful desktop applications using Java and contribute to innovative software solutions.
- Company: Join Semantics 21, a multi-award-winning UK software company making a real-world difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with direct access to leadership and modern development tools.
- Why this job: Be part of a small team where your ideas shape the future of software development.
- Qualifications: Strong Java experience, especially in desktop applications, and a passion for problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
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 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
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. Office-based preferred, though hybrid working may be considered depending on experience and role fit. 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. Direct applicants only - no recruitment agencies.
Senior Java Software Engineer - Desktop Applications 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 ideas truly matter. As part of our growing engineering team in Stafford, you'll have the opportunity to influence product development directly, enjoy flexible working hours, and benefit from a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. With a focus on long-term software solutions that make a real-world impact, this is a place where your contributions can lead to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Java Software Engineer - Desktop Applications in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to current employees at Semantics 21 through LinkedIn or other platforms. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Bring along a portfolio of your previous work, especially any Java desktop applications you've developed. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Be ready to tackle some coding challenges or discuss how you've optimised performance in past projects. They want to see your thought process!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen directly by the hiring team. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining us at Semantics 21.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Java Software Engineer - Desktop Applications in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Java Skills:Make sure to highlight your strong commercial Java development experience in your application. We want to see your expertise in desktop applications, especially with Swing and JavaFX, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best projects!
Keep It Relevant:When you’re writing your application, focus on your relevant experience. Include a short note explaining your Java desktop experience and any project examples that demonstrate your skills. This helps us see how you fit into our team!
Links Are Key:Don’t forget to include links to your previous work, GitHub, or any portfolio projects. We love seeing practical coding ability, so make it easy for us to check out what you’ve done!
Apply Early!:We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait until the closing date to apply. The sooner you get your application in, the better your chances are of joining our awesome team at Semantics 21!
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 application development using Swing and JavaFX. Be prepared to discuss your experience with core Java concepts and object-oriented programming, as these will be crucial in the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along examples of your work, whether it's from GitHub or personal projects. Highlight any large-scale applications you've developed or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work with complex codebases.
✨Understand Their Environment
Familiarise yourself with Semantics 21's products and the environments they operate in. Knowing how their software impacts public safety and investigative work can help you articulate how your skills align with their mission during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Technical Challenges
Expect to face some technical questions or challenges during the interview. Practice debugging scenarios or performance optimisation problems, as this role requires strong analytical skills. Show them you can think critically and contribute to long-term improvements.
