Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff
Senior Software Engineer (Java)

Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff

Cardiff Full-Time 50000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Target

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop high-quality Java applications while mentoring junior engineers.
  • Company: Join Target Group, a tech-driven company transforming financial services.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 30 days holiday, hybrid work, and health perks.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values wellbeing and continuous learning.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on modern platforms and shape the future of technology.
  • Qualifications: Proficient in Java, Spring ecosystem, and front-end technologies.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.

At Target Group, we’re passionate about using technology to improve financial services – but more importantly, we’re passionate about people, partnerships and progress. We’re entering an exciting phase of modernisation and transformation, opening up our longstanding platforms through API‑driven services, cloud technologies and new digital channels. To help us shape the future, we’re looking for a Senior Java Software Engineer who combines technical excellence with a collaborative, people‑first mindset.

What can you expect?

As a Senior Software Engineer, you’ll sit at the heart of our engineering capability. You’ll be responsible for translating business and system requirements into robust designs and high‑quality software solutions, while acting as a guardian of code quality and engineering standards. This is a hands‑on engineering role, but with real influence. You’ll spend time:

  • Analysing complex problems
  • Designing scalable, secure solutions
  • Guiding our offshore development teams
  • Reviewing and approving code before release

You won’t have direct line management responsibility, but you’ll play a key role in mentoring, coaching and developing other engineers, shaping best practice across our global teams.

My Team – What’s it like here?

You’ll be joining a team that:

  • Values trust, collaboration and openness
  • Celebrates success through our My Recognition portal
  • Provides regular feedback and career support through meaningful 1‑to‑1s
  • Cares deeply about wellbeing, flexibility and continuous learning

We believe great engineering happens when people feel supported, challenged and empowered.

What you’ll be doing

People & Leadership

  • Coach and mentor less‑experienced engineers across onshore and offshore teams
  • Lead code reviews and design discussions
  • Support offshore teams by providing clear requirements and removing blockers
  • Take ownership of your personal development and stay current with industry trends

Engineering & Delivery

  • Interpret requirements and create complex functional and technical designs
  • Design and develop large‑scale, high‑quality Java applications
  • Act as a gatekeeper for quality, ensuring standards are met before release
  • Investigate and resolve defects, incidents and performance issues
  • Define and execute testing strategies to deliver reliable, error‑free solutions

Process & Standards

  • Ensure solutions align with company standards, security principles and best practice
  • Contribute to software engineering policies, tools and ways of working
  • Support modernisation initiatives, APIs and third‑party integrations

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Take part in client and user meetings, clearly presenting options and solutions
  • Support users with acceptance testing and problem resolution
  • Deliver outcomes that solve real customer challenges

Requirements

What we’re looking for

Technical skills

  • Java 21, J2EE
  • Spring ecosystem: Spring Core, MVC, Boot, Batch, Apache Camel, Hibernate
  • REST API design and SOAP services
  • Front‑end technologies: AngularJS, React, JSP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript
  • JUnit 5, Mockito
  • Application servers (WebSphere and/or Tomcat)
  • Containerisation, serverless, AWS (and on‑prem environments)
  • Relational databases: DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL or similar
  • Secure coding principles and cloud security concepts
  • Tooling: Git, Maven, Eclipse/IntelliJ, Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Jenkins, SonarQube, Artifactory

Benefits

Core Benefits

  • Competitive salary of up to £50,000 per annum
  • 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 a Senior Java Engineer who wants to make an impact, shape modern platforms and help develop others, we’d love to hear from you.

Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff employer: Target

At Target Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and people-first work culture that prioritises trust, wellbeing, and continuous learning. As a Senior Software Engineer in Cardiff, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a range of benefits including private medical insurance and flexible working options, all while having the opportunity to mentor others and shape the future of financial services through innovative technology.
Target

Contact Detail:

Target Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the tech industry, especially those who work at Target Group or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Java skills and understanding the latest trends in software engineering. Practice coding challenges and be ready to discuss your past projects and how they align with the role.

✨Tip Number 3

Show off your collaborative spirit! During interviews, highlight your experience mentoring others and working in teams. Target Group values a people-first mindset, so make sure to share examples of how you've supported your colleagues.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Target Group team.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff

Java 21
J2EE
Spring Core
Spring MVC
Spring Boot
Spring Batch
Apache Camel
Hibernate
REST API design
SOAP services
AngularJS
React
JSP
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
TypeScript
JUnit 5
Mockito
WebSphere
Tomcat
AWS
DB2
MySQL
PostgreSQL
Git
Maven
Eclipse
IntelliJ
Jira
Confluence
Bitbucket
Jenkins
SonarQube
Artifactory
Secure coding principles
Cloud security concepts
Mentoring
Coaching
Problem-Solving Skills
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your Java experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for technology and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your collaborative mindset and mentoring experience.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical skills in Java, Spring, and any other relevant technologies. We love seeing examples of your work, so feel free to include links to your GitHub or any projects that demonstrate your expertise.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Target

✨Know Your Java Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Java skills, especially the latest features in Java 21. Be prepared to discuss your experience with the Spring ecosystem and REST API design, as these are crucial for the role.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be ready to tackle complex problems during the interview. Think of examples from your past work where you designed scalable solutions or resolved performance issues, and explain your thought process clearly.

✨Emphasise Collaboration and Mentorship

Since this role involves coaching and mentoring, share specific instances where you've guided less-experienced engineers or led code reviews. Highlight your people-first mindset and how you foster collaboration within teams.

✨Prepare Questions About Company Culture

Target Group values trust, collaboration, and wellbeing. Prepare thoughtful questions about their team dynamics and how they support continuous learning. This shows you're genuinely interested in their culture and aligns with their values.

Senior Software Engineer (Java) in Cardiff
Target
Location: Cardiff

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