Senior Cyber Software Engineer
Summary
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.
- 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
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;
- 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.
- Experience solving complex software engineering problems and producing robust technical solutions.
- 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
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
Selection process details
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
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Cyber Recruitment Team
- Email : cyberrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| Senior Cyber Software Engineer L5 Opens in new window (pdf, 180kB) |
| Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 4978kB) |
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