At a Glance
- Tasks: Build mission-critical web applications and API backends for the MoD.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on defence and security.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with excellent career growth and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's digital infrastructure while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in full-stack engineering and active UK SC clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We are seeking a Senior Full Stack & Systems Engineer to join our Defence delivery team. This is a versatile, high-impact role designed for funded client delivery: you will build mission-critical web applications and API backends for central MoD programmes, while contributing to low-level system integrations (Kotlin, Android ART, IPC/AIDL) on tactical edge and Situational Awareness (TAK) platforms. You will sit at the intersection of modern enterprise software engineering and tactical edge integration, ensuring all code meets MoD Secure by Design (SbD) principles and Def Stan 00-056 safety boundaries.
Full-Stack Application Development: Design and build resilient, secure web applications, microservices, and APIs (TypeScript, Node.js, React, or Python) for cloud and hybrid MoD landing zones.
Edge & Tactical Systems Integration: Develop native Android background services (Kotlin on ART), IPC/AIDL interfaces, and Cursor-on-Target (CoT) data routers connecting front-end C2 displays (e.g., OmniTAK, ATAK) to backend services.
Secure by Design (SbD) Implementation: Write clean, well-tested code following NCSC Secure Development Principles, NCSC Cloud Security Guidance, and JSP 440 controls.
CI/CD & DevSecOps: Automate build, test, and containerisation pipelines (Docker, GitOps, GitLab CI/GitHub Actions) for both air-gapped systems and enterprise cloud environments.
Client Delivery & Mentorship: Lead technical user stories on funded MoD statements of work (SoWs), participate in Agile delivery ceremonies, and mentor mid-level engineers.
Required Qualifications & Experience:
- Defence & Security Baseline Active UK SC Clearance (minimum) with UK nationality/sovereignty requirements.
- Hands-on experience delivering under MoD software development standards and Secure by Design (SbD) frameworks.
- Full-Stack Engineering (Web & APIs) 4+ years of production experience with modern Web stacks (TypeScript, React, Node.js, or Python/FastAPI).
- Strong API design experience (REST, GraphQL, gRPC, WebSocket) and relational/non-relational database design (PostgreSQL, SQLite).
- Systems & Mobile Architecture (Android ART) Proficiency in Kotlin or Java on native Android environments, including background services, thread management, and Inter-Process Communication (IPC via AIDL/Binders).
- Understanding of event-driven architectures, local socket communication, and memory optimization under resource-constrained conditions.
Desirable / Bonus Qualifications:
- Experience with tactical mapping frameworks (TAK/ATAK, WinTAK, OmniTAK) or military telemetry protocols (Cursor-on-Target / CoT, STANAG 4586).
- Familiarity with containerisation at the edge (K3s, Podman) or local database layers (Room, RocksDB).
- Knowledge of Defence safety standards (Def Stan 00-056 / 00-055) and ALARP risk management.
Competitive Pay: Salaries reviewed annually to ensure they reflect your performance and market value.
Loyalty Pension: We invest in your future. Starting at a 5% employer contribution, we increase this by 0.5% every year after your third anniversary, up to a maximum of 8%.
Protection: Comprehensive Group Life Assurance for peace of mind.
Purpose & Culture:
- Real Impact: Work on mission-critical projects that secure and improve the UK's digital infrastructure.
- Autonomy: A culture that empowers you to make decisions, prototype rapidly, and iterate towards success.
- Service & Community: We support those who serve. 10 paid days for Reservist Military Service.
Work / Life Balance:
- Time Off: 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays, with the flexibility to Buy/Sell additional days to suit your lifestyle.
- Giving back: 2 paid volunteering days per year.
Development & Growth:
- Master Your Craft: Fully funded professional certifications (AWS, GCP, Agile, etc.) supported by 5 days paid study leave.
- Expand Your Horizons: An additional £500 annual "Personal Choice" fund to learn whatever inspires you - work-related or not.
- Support: Access to 1-2-1 professional coaching and team training to accelerate your career.
Health & Balance:
- Premium Health: Vitality Private Medical Insurance (includes Apple Watch, gym discounts, and rewards).
- Flexibility: Genuine hybrid working with a WFH equipment allowance to perfect your home setup.
- Wellbeing: Cycle to Work scheme and a commitment to sustainable, healthy working practices.
Senior Software Engineer employer: Zaizi Ltd
Zaizi is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth and a culture that encourages continuous learning, you will have the opportunity to contribute to impactful UK government projects while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working. Join us to be part of a team that values knowledge sharing and embraces the latest advancements in machine learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer
✨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 Zaizi Ltd 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 Zaizi Ltd.
✨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 Zaizi Ltd.
✨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 Zaizi Ltd 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
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 Zaizi Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Zaizi Ltd 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 Zaizi Ltd
✨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 Zaizi Ltd 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.
