At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead software design and development for defence technology, ensuring modern practices are followed.
- Company: Join a dynamic team within the UK Hydrographic Office, supporting national security.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a modern office with a collaborative culture and strong career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while shaping the future of defence technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in .Net, Python, and leading technical teams is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
As a Principal Developer, you will be a senior technical authority within our defence technology community, shaping how software is designed, built, and sustained across defence services. You will provide strategic technical leadership, influencing engineering direction and ensuring that modern, secure, and sustainable development practices are embedded. You will play a key role in setting the technical vision for software engineering within defence, helping to establish a strong and consistent engineering culture.
Working across delivery teams and stakeholders, you will help ensure that solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned to both user needs and the wider defence technology landscape. This role requires deep technical expertise alongside the ability to influence at scale. As a Principal Developer, you will contribute to decisions that shape platforms, patterns, and approaches, supporting the delivery of applications and services that are critical to national security.
In a rapidly changing landscape, we require experienced and flexible individuals who can work in a close-knit team to use their multi-disciplinary skills to collaborate, problem-solve, and deliver within a highly assured private cloud infrastructure environment. This is a capability-focused team, working on unique and highly specialised data and insight solutions within a modern secure facility, contributing to capabilities of national significance.
This job role is based in our modern and purpose-built offices based a stone’s throw from the M5 in Taunton, Somerset. There will be some opportunity for hybrid working - a maximum of 1 day a week based remotely, 4 days in the office.
Additional Information: Part-time hours will be considered (minimum of 29.6 per week).
As a Trading Fund of the Ministry of Defence, the UKHO works hand in glove with uniformed colleagues from across the Royal Navy and other allied Defence organisations to ensure the timely and accurate provision of mission-critical data at the point of need.
- Supporting the defence development team in solving technical issues.
- Provide expert technical guidance to defence related development teams, resolving complex or high risk technical issues, act as the escalation point and ensure that solutions are effective, sustainable and in line with our technical direction.
- Defining and Implementing engineering standards.
- Lead the definition and adoption of engineering standards across the defence teams, ensuring consistency, quality and security in software delivery. Support teams to deliver these in everyday development practices.
- Working with business users to translate a user need into a design.
- Work with business users and stakeholders to understand user needs and operational requirements. Translate these into clear, high-level technical designs that balance user outcomes, technical constraints, and defence requirements.
- Working with other Principal Developers on a technology choice.
- Work with peers to assess and agree technology choices across defence services. Ensure decisions are aligned with wider technical strategy and support long-term sustainability.
- Reviewing code/designs from within the defence area.
- Review software code and technical designs to ensure they meet quality, security, and engineering standards. Provide constructive feedback to improve consistency, reduce risk, and support continuous improvement.
- Mentoring teams on best practice.
- Mentor and coach development teams on modern engineering best practices. Support capability growth across defence by sharing knowledge, encouraging effective ways of working, and fostering a strong engineering culture.
Person specification:
- Practical coding experience in .Net and awareness of Python.
- Wide range of development experience.
- Practical experience of leadership of technical teams.
- Up to date knowledge of modern engineering technology and tools.
- Experience in defining & implementing engineering standards.
Principal Software Developer in Taunton employer: UK Hydrographic Office
As a Principal Software Developer at UKHO, you will join a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to national security, working in a modern facility in Taunton, Somerset. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that values technical expertise and offers opportunities for professional growth through mentoring and leadership roles. With the flexibility of hybrid working and a commitment to engineering excellence, UKHO stands out as an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful contributions to defence technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Developer in Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the defence tech community. Attend meetups, conferences, or even online webinars. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Developer role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best projects, especially those related to .Net and Python. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table and how you can influence engineering direction.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply – engage! When you find a job on our website, take the time to reach out to someone in the company. Ask questions about the role or the team. This shows your genuine interest and can help you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your coding skills and understanding modern engineering practices. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams and implemented engineering standards in past roles. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Developer in Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Developer role. Highlight your technical expertise in .Net and Python, and any leadership experience you've had in tech teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've influenced engineering direction or implemented best practices in previous positions.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give us a taste of your problem-solving abilities. Describe a complex technical issue you’ve resolved and how it contributed to the success of your team or project.
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 this exciting opportunity in our defence technology community.
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Hydrographic Office
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Principal Software Developer, you’ll need to showcase your deep technical expertise. Brush up on your .Net and Python skills, and be ready to discuss how you've applied modern engineering practices in past projects. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to influence engineering direction and ensure sustainable development.
✨Understand the Defence Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the defence technology community and its unique challenges. Research current trends and issues within the sector, and think about how your experience can contribute to national security. This will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and alignment with the company's mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your experience in mentoring teams and defining engineering standards. Share specific examples of how you've influenced team culture and improved software delivery processes in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Collaborative Problem-Solving
Collaboration is key in this position. Think about instances where you've worked closely with stakeholders to translate user needs into technical designs. Be ready to discuss how you’ve resolved complex technical issues and ensured solutions are robust and scalable, reflecting your ability to work in a close-knit team.
