Senior software engineer at Dstl, the UK government's defence research lab, building software tools, prototypes and proof-of-concept capabilities that support UK cyber operations and technical research. Day to day: secure Agile development in Python and C/C++ on Linux, with work on communication protocols and binary analysis, mostly on-site at Porton Down.
Compensation
£41.4K–£47.1K / yr
Location
Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ
Work setup
Not specified
Seniority
Senior
Employment
Part time
Experience
5+ years
Category
Software engineering
Posted
Skills
agile
bash
cpp
embedded-systems
git
github
gitlab
linux
proof-of-concept
python
version-control
Must have
Degree in a STEM discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems, Physics, Mathematics) or equivalent professional experience
Strong software development experience in Python
Experience developing applications in C, C++ or a comparable programming language
Experience developing software using Agile delivery methodologies
Experience using Git and collaborative version-control platforms such as GitHub or GitLab
Experience working with Linux environments, including Bash scripting
Ability to analyse technical information from multiple sources and make sound engineering judgements
UK national only (dual nationals not eligible); able to gain Develop Vetting clearance with 10 years' UK residency
Attendance at a Dstl location, government departments or delivery/mission partner premises for at least 80% of working time
Full description
Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
Contract type: Permanent
Business area: Digital Advantage - Cyber
Type of role: Digital, Information Technology, Science
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available: 2
Location
Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl location, Government Departments including wider MoD or Delivery and Mission Partner premises for at least 80% of your working time.
About the job
Job summary
Do you enjoy developing innovative software solutions that tackle challenging real-world problems? Are you motivated by working with cutting-edge technologies that contribute directly to the UK's cyber capabilities?
Dstl is looking for a Senior Cyber Software Engineer to join a highly skilled team developing software tools, prototypes and proof-of-concept capabilities that support cyber operations and technical research. Working in a collaborative engineering environment, you will apply your software development expertise to transform complex technical challenges into practical, operationally relevant solutions
Why join us?
You'll work with modern programming languages and development practices, designing and building software that supports advanced cyber research, vulnerability analysis and capability development. Alongside developing robust and resilient code, you'll contribute to solving complex technical problems involving communication systems, protocols and binary analysis.
We are seeking talented engineers who combine strong technical ability with curiosity, adaptability and a passion for learning. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside experts from across science, engineering and cyber disciplines, access unique facilities and technologies, and contribute to capabilities that support the UK's current and future defence and national security needs.
Whether your background is in software engineering, systems development or cyber technologies, this role offers the opportunity to apply your expertise in an environment where innovation, collaboration and technical excellence are at the heart of everything we do.
This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements. The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
Job description
What you'll do;
Senior Cyber Software Engineer at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ) — aijobsearch
Design, develop and maintain innovative software tools, prototypes and technical capabilities using a range of modern programming languages.
Transform research outputs and technical concepts into operationally relevant software solutions.
Develop secure and resilient software, applying safe coding principles throughout the development lifecycle.
Identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities within software systems and applications.
Work within Agile software development environments, contributing to rapid and effective delivery.
Use modern software engineering tools and practices, including version control and collaborative development workflows.
Apply knowledge of communication systems, protocols and binary analysis to solve complex technical challenges.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality technical outcomes and continuously improve engineering approaches.
For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.
Person specification
What we're looking for
A degree in a STEM discipline such as Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Embedded Systems, Physics or Mathematics, or equivalent professional experience.
Strong software development experience in Python.
Experience developing applications in C, C++ or a comparable programming language.
Experience developing software using Agile delivery methodologies.
Experience using Git and collaborative version-control platforms such as GitHub or GitLab.
Experience working with Linux environments, including Bash scripting.
The ability to analyse technical information from multiple sources and make sound engineering judgements
Please review the attached job description for more detailed information.Important Information:
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.
For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require Develop Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Changing and Improving
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,431, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,002 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Allowances: This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements. The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 16th of November with interviews taking place from the 23rd of November.
Your interview will consist of behavioural and technical competency-based questions. You will also be required to deliver a 10-minute presentation. Further details for the presentation will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the
Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the
Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name : Cyber Recruitment Team
Email : cyberrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
Attachments
Senior Cyber Software Engineer L5 Opens in new window (pdf, 180kB) Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 4978kB)