Software Developer
Role details
Job location
Tech stack
Job description
Government Digital and Data (GDD) Profession Capability Framework and Success Profiles Frameworks. Using GDD we will then determine if you will be paid an additional allowance, on top of your basic salary. This role is within the Technical Job Family, is a Software Developer role at Developer level, but carries the title Software Developer in Test within DTS., As a Software Development Engineer in Test at HMCTS, you will have access to extensive training and development opportunities through our Testing Centre of Excellence. Our commitment to your growth means that you will receive in-depth, in-house training designed to enhance your skills and knowledge, making you proficient in the latest testing methodologies and tools. Whether you are looking to sharpen your testing capabilities, deepen your technical expertise, or expand your leadership skills, our training is tailored to help you succeed in your role and advance your career. This commitment to continuous learning is a core part of our culture, ensuring that you have the tools and knowledge you need to excel in your position and contribute to our ongoing success.
The key purpose of the role:
As a Software Development Engineer in Test, your responsibilities will encompass not only writing, debugging, and refactoring test code but also leading test automation in CI/CD environments. You will collaborate closely with software developers to ensure a common understanding of the code base and test coverage at the unit test level.
You will play a pivotal role in helping to shape the culture and best practices throughout the Test Centre of Excellence at HMCTS. Your strong technical skills will be essential in ensuring the highest quality standards for our test automation.
Additionally, mentoring, and coaching Junior Software Development Engineers in Test is a crucial aspect of this role. You will guide the team to achieve excellence in test automation and support their learning journey.
The development squad you are placed on will be agreed closer to your start date, but examples of products can be found in our github repositories:
- https://github.com/ministryofjustice
- https://github.com/hmcts
- https://github.com/CJSCommonPlatform
Technologies
We use a range of cutting-edge technologies, including:
- Playwright
- Rest Assured (for API testing)
- Java/JavaScript/TypeScript
- Power Apps (for low-code/no-code application testing)
- js framework (Node.js)
- Angular
- PostgreSQL
- Microservices
- Azure cloud infrastructure
- Gatling (for performance testing)
- SauceLabs (for cross-browser testing)
- Pa11y, WAVE, aXe (for accessibility testing)
- Jenkins (for deployment automation)
- Dynatrace (for application monitoring)
- Kubernetes and Docker (to run our services)
- Jira/Confluence (for project management and documentation)
- Fortify (for security testing)
We're here to support your learning journey within our tech stack when you become a part of our team., * Promote and champion shift-left testing principles, emphasising unit and integration testing, to ensure early detection of issues and higher quality software.
- Lead the development and implementation of test automation strategies in CI/CD environments.
- Write, amend, and refactor test automation code, adhering to internal software development standards.
- Lead in "3 Amigos" sessions as an integral part of the development and testing process.
- Estimate your effort for planning and follow the agreed methodology.
- Understand the impact of business processes on the project and systems.
- Analyse test results and identify patterns and trends, translating findings into business impact.
- Collaborate on designing and building secure products with a focus on information assurance.
- Maintain full traceability of defects, tests, and requirements. Report issues found through the appropriate channels.
- Provide mentoring and coaching to Junior Software Development Engineers in Test to enhance their skills and knowledge.
- Contribute to the development of a culture of excellence in test automation within the team., The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., Other 1 Other - Assessment Title 1 Coding challenge extension exercise Level of security checks required DBS Basic Security Clearance (SC)
Requirements
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Demonstrated experience in leading test automation in CI/CD environments.
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Expertise in writing automated testing programs/scripts, particularly in our core technology stack.
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Expertise in the Software Development Lifecycle, ensuring alignment with project objectives and quality standards.
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Strong understanding of REST web services and API inspection tools.
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Familiarity with bug tracking software and experience in using it effectively.
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Ability to identify and manage issues and risks associated with testing, with a focus on analysing and reporting test activities and results.
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Exposure to applying Agile principles in practice, facilitating seamless integration into project workflows.
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Proficiency in defining and implementing test tooling, test environments, and test data across various phases of testing.
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Proven ability to design and execute non-functional test cases in diverse environments.
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Experience in accessibility testing, both manual and automated, ensuring compliance with WCAG standards and integrating accessibility testing within CI/CD pipelines.
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Ability to analyse performance bottlenecks and accessibility issues, providing recommendations for improvement.
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Strong understanding of integrating accessibility and performance testing into the overall test strategy, ensuring quality and compliance from development to release., * Technical - As demonstrated at interview. During the interview, you will be assessed against the Government Digital and Data (GDD) Capability Framework.
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Capability Skill 1 - Development process optimisation
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Capability Skill 2 - Information security
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Capability Skill 3 - Modern development standards
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Capability Skill 4 - Programming and build (software engineering)
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Capability Skill 5 - Systems integration
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Coding Challenge
We aim to sift all assessment criteria as advertised at application stage, However, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift may be conducted on the Coding Challenge. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the Coding Challenge will either progress to a full sift where the remaining criteria are assessed or progressed straight to interview.
- Behaviours - You will be required to provide evidence of the following key behaviours at SEO Level.
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Technical Capability Skill 1 - Development process optimisation Capability Skill 2 - Information security Capability Skill 3 - Modern development standards Capability Skill 4 - Programming and build (software engineering) Capability Skill 5 - Systems integration
Benefits & conditions
The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182 London salary range is £49,325- £53,081 Your salary will be dependent on your base location, The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.