At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and modernise RPG software solutions while mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Join Target Group, a forward-thinking tech company in Cardiff.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 30 days holiday, hybrid work, and health perks.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming legacy systems into modern solutions.
- Qualifications: Strong IBM i knowledge and experience with RPG programming.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
At Target Group, we don't just build platforms - we build outcomes that matter. As part of our continued investment in modernising our core systems, we're looking for a Senior RPG Software Engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, shaping quality solutions and developing others along the way. If you're passionate about IBM i, enjoy being hands‑on with development while influencing design and quality, and want to play a key role in opening up legacy systems through APIs and modern integration, this could be the role for you.
As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll sit at the heart of our Software Engineering capability, interpreting system requirements, designing robust solutions and ensuring high‑quality delivery across our onshore and offshore teams. You'll be a technical leader rather than a people manager – mentoring others, guiding delivery, reviewing code and acting as a gatekeeper for quality. Alongside this, you'll work on exciting modernisation initiatives, helping Target evolve our IBM i estate to support API‑driven integration, third‑party services and new digital channels.
What You’ll Be Doing
- People & Leadership
- Providing guidance and support on program design, development, testing and documentation
- Informally coaching and mentoring less experienced engineers across onshore and offshore teams
- Leading and participating in peer code reviews, ensuring quality before release to testing
- Supporting offshore teams by clarifying requirements and removing blockers
- Owning your personal development and staying current with industry and IBM i advancements
- Technical & Delivery
- Translating system requirements into clear, well‑engineered designs and solutions
- Producing complex functional and technical specifications
- Designing and building large or complex RPG programs and enhancements using agreed standards
- Reviewing and approving code artefacts prior to release
- Supporting and enhancing existing systems, investigating defects and delivering fixes
- Planning and executing thorough testing to ensure error‑free delivery
- Actively contributing to Software Engineering standards, tools and policies
- Financial & Planning
- Taking ownership of development solutions for critical components of projects
- Estimating and planning work, tracking progress and highlighting risks or issues
- Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, performance and value
- Customer
- Taking part in client and user meetings, presenting solutions clearly and confidently
- Supporting users in defining acceptance criteria and tests
- Identifying and resolving customer issues within agreed timescales
Requirements
What we’re looking for
Essential Technical Experience
- Strong IBM i and iO/S knowledge
- Languages and technologies including: CL RPG/400, RPG IV, ILE, Free Format RPG, SQL & IBM i Stored Procedures, MQ Query/400
- Development tools: RAD/i, VS Code, Jira & Confluence, Rocket Aldon, DevOps for i
Desirable (but Not Essential)
- Experience using AI code assistants
- Knowledge of latest IBM i features (iO/S 7.6)
- Performance tuning and optimisation on IBM i
Benefits
Core Benefits
- Competitive salary of up to £50,000 per annum depending on experience
- 30 days holiday plus bank holidays - from day one
- Hybrid working policy
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (employer matched up to 6%)
- Company‑paid Private Medical Insurance (benefit in kind)
- Group Life Assurance
- Group Income Protection
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Annual pay review
Flexible & Lifestyle Benefits
- My Flex benefits platform - access to a wide range of voluntary benefits
- Technology Buying Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Gym Flex - discounted gym and health club memberships
- Dental Insurance
- Critical Illness Cover
- Health Cash Plan
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Tastecard / Coffee Club
- Employee Discount Scheme across hundreds of retailers
Wellbeing & Support
- Wisdom Wellbeing - confidential health and wellbeing support, including EAP
- Free flu vaccinations and eye tests, plus contributions towards glasses
- Recognition Scheme celebrating successes across the business
- Free mortgage advice and support
- Charitable payroll giving
- Access to a GP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through GP24
- Everest Funeral Concierge
- Free Bereavement and Probate Advice and Support
- Enhanced parental leave
Why Join Target
You'll be joining a team that genuinely:
- Celebrates success through our My Recognition portal
- Invests in your development with regular feedback and support
- Cares about wellbeing as much as delivery
- Encourages curiosity, innovation and best practice
We’re committed to creating a Diverse & Inclusive culture through the execution of our D&I strategy, community relationships, our people & leaders. Grow your future with us. If you’re ready to take the next step in your IBM i career and play a pivotal role in shaping Target’s technology landscape, we’d love to hear from you.
Senior Software Engineer (RPG / IBM i) in Cardiff employer: Target Group
At Target Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values innovation and personal growth. With a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide a supportive environment where you can thrive as a Senior Software Engineer. Our hybrid working policy and focus on professional development ensure that you can balance your career ambitions with a fulfilling personal life while contributing to meaningful projects in Cardiff.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (RPG / IBM i) in Cardiff
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those involving IBM i and RPG. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. Don’t forget to brush up on your problem-solving skills, as they’ll want to see how you tackle complex issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our exciting projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer (RPG / IBM i) in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with IBM i and RPG. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be tackling complex issues. Use your application to share specific examples of challenges you've faced and how you resolved them. This will help us see your thought process in action!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Target Group
✨Know Your RPG Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your RPG skills, especially CL RPG/400 and RPG IV. Be ready to discuss your experience with IBM i and how you've tackled complex problems in the past. This will show that you're not just familiar with the technology but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Even though this role isn't about managing people, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to mentor and guide others. Prepare examples of how you've supported less experienced engineers or led code reviews, as this will highlight your technical leadership capabilities.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Brush up on system requirements translation, functional specifications, and error-free delivery processes. Being able to articulate your thought process will impress the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Approach
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you resolved them. Highlight your experience with performance tuning and optimisation on IBM i, as well as any innovative solutions you've implemented. This will show that you can think critically and contribute to modernisation initiatives.
