Software Engineer

Our world-leading Time & Frequency department are seeking an experienced and practicing Software Engineer.

You will be joining our team at an exciting time - we maintain the UK’s National Time Scale, UTC (NPL), and are currently developing a new resilient Time Scale facility that will underpin our Critical National Infrastructure. This will address the risks associated with our dependency on global navigation satellite systems (such as GPS) that are vulnerable to both natural and intentional interference.

As Software Engineer, you’ll collaborate with prominent Scientists and Engineers to develop and implement innovative, production-ready software to time, quality, and cost.

Key responsibilities:

• Collaborating with senior stakeholders to ensure that software aligns with business strategy
• Working cross-functionally to gather project requirements, analyse feasibility, and provide technical recommendations
• Leadership of an Agile Software team, with review of work
• Code reviews to ensure cleanliness, efficiency and quality through testing and debugging, and adherence of standards throughout the software development cycle
• Working as a team to accurately assess and communicate risks and mitigations
• Explaining complex tech concepts and advisory to both internal and external stakeholders, from technical and non-technical backgrounds
• Staying up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and technologies in software engineering and sharing your knowledge to advance the team

This role offers exciting opportunities to collaborate with subject-matter experts across the business.

Reporting to a Programme Manager, you’ll enjoy responsibility for the development of software to defined timelines and budget. You’ll utilise your analytical and technical skills to contribute toward the design and implementation of software which pushes the boundaries of measurement accuracy and stability.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have the following skills, experience, and qualifications:

• Recent and proven experience in design and delivery of production-ready software
• Degree level educated in Computer Science, Mathematics (or closely related discipline), or equivalent experience
• Team leadership
• Risk management and communication
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex technical concepts
• Team player with a proactive, never-fail attitude in the face of ambiguous situations

Essential technical skills:

• Python
• GIT / Linux
• DevOps methodology
• Azure
• Docker

Highly-desirable technical skills:

• Telegraf/Influx/Grafana stack
• CICD practices

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here - The measure of us - Overview.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.