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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Developer - **Company:** Government Digital Service - **Location:** London, UK (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £64,450.0 - £81,720.0 - **Contract:** Temporary to permanent - **Skills:** HTML, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Unit Testing, Software as a Service, Cyber Security, Github, Integrated Development Environments, Python (Programming Language), Open Source Technology, Open Web Application Security, Software Architecture, Web Application Security, Software Engineering, Systems Integration, Web Applications, Stylesheet Language, SC Clearance, Integration Tests, Software Version Control, Docker - **Published:** September 21, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8efda35368eb5dfb ## About the Role We’re interested in people who have experience: * collaborating effectively with others to develop, deploy and improve containerised cloud-based applications; and can demonstrate strong coding ability in Python and familiarity with HTML, CSS and JavaScript * using modern software development principles and supporting web application technologies including Docker and Kubernetes; and can demonstrate experience using GitHub as a version control system to document development effectively * communicating effectively with non-technical users and explaining complex technical concepts in a clear, accessible way * identifying, locating and fixing service faults * designing systems of moderate risk, impact and complexity; selecting appropriate design standards, methods and tools; and reviewing designs to ensure suitable technology choices, efficient resource use and effective system integration. * defining integration builds, coordinating build activities across systems, and understanding how to undertake and support integration testing activities * understanding common web security risks such as OWASP Top 10, and the corresponding mitigations * working under guidance to identify process optimisation opportunities and contributing to the implementation of proposed solutions, * a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter details how you meet the following skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above: + collaborating effectively with others to develop, deploy and improve containerised cloud-based applications; and can demonstrate strong coding ability in Python and familiarity with HTML, CSS and JavaScript + using modern software development principles and supporting web application technologies including Docker and Kubernetes; and can demonstrate experience using GitHub as a version control system to document development effectively + communicating effectively with non-technical users and explaining complex technical concepts in a clear, accessible way * a 20 minute phone screen * a 90-minute interview (conducted over video conferencing); this will consist of a 60-min technical exercise where you’ll work with another engineer from the team to solve a self-contained programming problem, and a 30-min section at the end for general assessment questions. The technical exercise will be given to you in writing. You'll be asked to discuss the problem with the engineer, devise a plan for solving it, and then to write code to solve the problem. As well as your programming and unit testing skills, we'll be evaluating how you communicate and collaborate, and how you break down the problem. You'll use your own development environment for this (conducted over video conferencing). In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: * collaborating effectively with others to develop, deploy and improve containerised cloud-based applications; and can demonstrate strong coding ability in Python and familiarity with HTML, CSS and JavaScript In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role. For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: * working together * changing and improving * making effective decisions We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Senior Developer role: * programming and build (software engineering) * modern development standards * user focus * availability and capacity management * development process optimisation * information security * service support * systems design * systems integration ## Description Former DSIT recruitment campaigns are continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be subject to the machinery of government moves and will ultimately be in one of the new departments. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest. The National Data Library will be a single trusted gateway to curated, high-quality public sector data. We are transforming the government’s open data portal, data.gov.uk into the National Data Library to improve how we support problem solvers to use public data. We have an ambitious roadmap with the goal to maximise the use of available data to make good decisions, build innovative services, learn and experiment. As a Senior Developer, you’ll play a key role in building and improving the performance of the National Data Library platform. Read about what it’s like working at GDS as a developer on the GDS blog. As a Senior Developer, you’ll: * work within a multi-disciplinary product team and lead the design, development, and maintenance of robust, scalable open data services and APIs * provide strategic technical leadership by setting software architecture, engineering practices, and technical direction across the team * define and evolve scalable, secure design patterns and coding standards, ensuring alignment with GDS standards and cross-government platforms * collaborate with teams to select technologies, shape roadmaps, and deliver resilient, maintainable digital services that meet programme goals * represent the department at technical forums, open-source communities, and government working groups * ensure delivery aligns with the Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice, and departmental governance processes, A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made. 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 and the Civil Service D&I Strategy. Please note that this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible. For meaningful checks to be carried out, you will need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time, to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. Whilst a lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance, and expectation of UK residency may range from 3 to 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements needed for the role may result in the withdrawal of provisional jobs offers. Sponsorship DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check . See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks., * UK nationals * nationals of the Republic of Ireland * nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK * nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) * nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) * individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 * Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service ## Related Videos - [The Resilience of the World Wide Web](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1281-the-resilience-of-the-world-wide-web) - [Docker Compose: Rediscovered](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1978-docker-compose-rediscovered) - [Innovating Developer Tools with AI: Insights from GitHub Next](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1268-innovating-developer-tools-with-ai-insights-from-github-next) - [Hosting a modern justice system](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/332-hosting-a-modern-justice-system) - [NoLoJS - Avoiding JavaScript Cruft with HTML and CSS - Aaron T. 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