At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and modernise IBM i systems while mentoring fellow engineers.
- Company: Target Group, a forward-thinking tech company focused on impactful outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days holiday, hybrid work, and health benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture that values innovation, wellbeing, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join us to shape technology and make a real difference in legacy systems.
- 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.
What can you expect?
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: CLRPG/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
- 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.
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
At Target Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises innovation and employee growth. As a remote Analyst/Programmer, you'll enjoy the flexibility of working from home while having the opportunity to collaborate with talented professionals in our Cardiff or Newport offices when needed. We offer competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to your professional development, making us an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the Financial Services and Technology sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (RPG / IBM i) in Cardiff
✨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 Target 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 Target.
✨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 Target.
✨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 Target 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 Senior Software Engineer (RPG / IBM i) in Cardiff
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 Target.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Target 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 Target
✨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 Target 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.
