At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software for an innovative education research initiative.
- Company: Join the National Institute of Teaching, dedicated to improving teacher development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, flexible working, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with excellent professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proven software engineering experience and strong coding skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56667 - 56667 € per year.
Hybrid – within commuting distance of our Redcar Campus £56,667 + benefits (+ London weighting, if applicable)
The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education, and is on a mission to improve teacher and leader development across the education system. A key part of that mission is our Teacher Education Dataset (TED), an ambitious data and research initiative focused on building better evidence about teacher development and what makes teaching impactful. By bringing together education, research and digital infrastructure, TED will support new insight into how teachers develop, improve and thrive across their careers.
About the role
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Senior Software Engineer to join our TED team and play an important role in building and maintaining the technical infrastructure that supports TED. Working at the intersection of software engineering, data and research, the postholder will help develop secure, reliable and scalable systems that enable robust analysis and contribute to high-quality, evidence-informed improvement across the sector.
Corporate responsibilities
- To ensure that the responsibilities of the role are carried out in a way which reflects the mission and the values of the NIoT.
- To be aware of and observe all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, and in particular to comply with policies relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Financial Regulations, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person.
- To comply with all reasonable management requests.
Key responsibilities
- Design, develop, maintain and improve software and technical infrastructure that supports TED and related education research activity.
- Build secure, scalable and reliable systems that enable robust analysis of education and teacher development data.
- Apply software engineering and DevOps best practice to deliver high-quality, well-tested and maintainable technical solutions.
- Contribute to reproducible, transparent and efficient research workflows, pipelines and supporting tools.
- Work closely with developers, researchers and other colleagues to understand requirements and translate them into effective technical delivery.
- Contribute to architectural decisions and the ongoing improvement of platform design, developer experience, monitoring and software quality.
- Support the operation and maintenance of production systems and help troubleshoot issues where required.
- Produce and maintain clear technical documentation and contribute to wider project communication where appropriate.
- Contribute to a collaborative team environment, including supporting and mentoring colleagues where appropriate.
Essential criteria
- Proven experience in software engineering, including building and maintaining production systems.
- Strong coding skills in relevant programming languages and experience of modern software development practices.
- Experience with version control, code review, testing and continuous integration.
- Ability to take ownership of complex technical systems, including feature development, maintenance and support.
- Strong technical judgement and problem-solving ability, including awareness of architectural trade-offs.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Commitment to quality, security, maintainability and continuous improvement.
- Interest in applying software engineering to education, data and evidence-informed improvement.
Desirable criteria
- Experience with Python, JavaScript or similar languages.
- Experience of Linux, Docker, CI/CD and DevOps tooling.
- Experience of database design, optimisation or data pipeline development.
- Experience working with sensitive data or secure analytical environments.
- Experience of research platforms, reproducible analytics or trusted research infrastructure.
- Experience in education, public sector or data-rich research settings.
- Experience mentoring others and contributing to team-wide engineering practice.
Key benefits
- Generous Annual Leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays).
- Flexible Working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
- Pension – Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
- Lifestyle Benefits – We offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
- Parenthood Leave – We offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
- Working Environment – We have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.
- Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
- Development: We fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have high level of continuous professional development.
We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities. This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.
Senior Software Engineer employer: Society of Research Software Engineering
The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and a commitment to continuous development, NIOT empowers its staff to thrive while contributing to meaningful educational initiatives. Located near the Redcar Campus, employees benefit from a vibrant community focused on improving teacher education through innovative data-driven solutions.
Contact Detail:
Society of Research Software Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and tech sectors. Attend meetups or webinars related to software engineering and education. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those that relate to education or data analysis. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you can contribute to TED.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past experiences in detail. Remember, they want to see how you think and solve problems!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the NIoT mission. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in software engineering, especially in areas like Python or JavaScript. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at NIoT!
Showcase Your Projects:Include examples of your previous work, especially any projects that involved building secure and scalable systems. This helps us understand your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your technical skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application via our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Society of Research Software Engineering
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in the programming languages and tools mentioned in the job description, like Python and JavaScript. Brush up on your knowledge of Linux, Docker, and CI/CD practices, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've tackled complex technical challenges. Highlight your thought process and the architectural trade-offs you considered, as this will demonstrate your strong technical judgement.
✨Understand the Mission
Familiarise yourself with the National Institute of Teaching's mission and how the Teacher Education Dataset contributes to it. Being able to articulate how your work aligns with their goals will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with developers and researchers, be ready to discuss your experience in multidisciplinary environments. Think of examples where you’ve effectively communicated with both technical and non-technical audiences.
