At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop engineering software systems to enhance efficiency and operational performance.
- Company: Join a leading train operator committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, free travel, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team that values innovation and community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's journeys while advancing your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development, particularly with PHP and full-stack LAMP.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you looking for a career where you can make a real difference in people’s day? We are seeking an Engineering Systems Development Specialist to join our team based from various Engineering Depots across the southeastern network. In this role, you will deliver engineering software systems that improve efficiency, data quality and operational performance, supporting Engineering colleagues across the business. Working closely with the Engineering Systems Manager and stakeholders, you will translate business needs into robust, comprehensive, reliable system solutions. You will develop software from agreed technical specifications, providing effective interface between software development and the engineering systems team.
What you’ll do:
- Capture and translate non-technical business requirements into clear technical specifications and development plans.
- Support the design, develop and deliver engineering software systems and enhancements.
- Comply with software development standards, quality assurance, and release processes for assigned systems.
- Recommend and deliver system and architecture decisions that support scalability and resilience.
- Manage development tools, source control, and technical documentation.
- Act as a key interface between Engineering stakeholders, system users, and technical teams.
- Support the Engineering Systems Manager with the delivery of system improvements, innovation, and roadmap development.
- Identify opportunities to improve automation, data use, and system performance.
- Ensure technical compatibility of existing proposed software and hardware solutions.
- Support and make business cases for systems improvement and implementation.
The experience you’ll need:
- You love solving technical problems – Senior full‑stack developer, you have solid experience in software development and enjoy turning complex requirements into scalable solutions.
- You think end-to-end – You translate business problems into technical solutions and are incredibly analytical.
- Curious and improvement minded – You know the emerging tools, technologies, and smarter ways of working, getting to the root cause to achieve comprehensive solution is what you do best.
- Software development is your thing– you have significant experience in PHP, MVC Frameworks (Laravel is a plus), MySQL, and REST/SOAP based web services.
- You make it happen – You prioritise effectively, manage competing demands, and deliver high quality solutions that meet the end users’ needs, maximising stakeholder value.
- Experience with full stack LAMP software – essential.
- Experienced in one or more Agile, Scrum, Waterfall methodologies – desirable.
As proud members of the Armed Forces Covenant and Disability Confident Scheme, we will offer you an interview if you apply under these schemes and meet the minimum criteria for the role.
Other things to know:
- This vacancy may close early if we receive a large number of applications. So, make sure you get yours in early.
- All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references, a right to work verification, a basic criminal record check, and a pre-employment medical assessment.
- Work visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
- If you applied but weren’t successful in getting a similar role at southeastern, please wait six months before applying again.
Along with your salary, the rewards you’ll get include:
- a final salary pension
- 25 days annual leave allowance (plus bank holidays)
We’re one of Britain’s busiest train operators, serving London, Kent and parts of East Sussex. We run over 1,700 trains a day, carrying more than 500,000 passengers and serving 180 stations. However, working on our railway is more than getting passengers from A to B. It’s about all the little moments that make a difference to their journey. It’s also about making our railway a great place to work and building a team that represents the communities we serve. We’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive environment, and we’re proud that this continues to be recognised through employer accreditations and our ongoing endorsement as a WORK180 Employer for Women. Our ways of working are what we expect of everyone at southeastern. They are powerful. Tiny moments, every day, from every one of us, add up to massive, positive change. Improving how it feels to work here and how it feels to travel with us. At the heart of everything we do, our Safeguarding Team works to keep our customers, colleagues, and the public safe by improving safeguarding measures and knowledge making sure everyone gets home safe, every day.
Engineering Systems Development Specialist employer: South Eastern Railway
At Southeastern, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values every team member's contribution. As an Engineering Systems Development Specialist, you will enjoy competitive benefits including a final salary pension and 25 days of annual leave, while also having the opportunity to grow your skills in a dynamic environment that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the journeys of our passengers and be part of a team that truly cares about its people and the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Systems Development Specialist
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at South Eastern Railway or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to South Eastern Railway.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like South Eastern Railway.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like South Eastern Railway that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Systems Development Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at South Eastern Railway.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at South Eastern Railway and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Eastern Railway
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If South Eastern Railway uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
