Senior Software Engineer - SIS - G6

Job summary

Technology sits at the heart of everything we do at MI6. We're looking for experienced Software Engineers to lead technical multi-disciplinary product teams.  You’ll set the technical direction and support the decision making and risk taking within engineering teams while working alongside a range of technical specialists including Product Owners, Business Analysts, Delivery Managers, Data Scientists and Machine Learning Engineers, to build and run secure applications and products.  We use agile methodologies to deliver products that are core to MI6’s operations and we make use of modern approaches and cloud technologies such as AWS and Azure. As well as on-premises platforms and long-established technologies and frameworks. 

Job description

This is a vital role in a team that ensures MI6 can stay ahead in an evolving digital world. You’ll share our collective responsibility to keeping the country safe and be keen to constantly improve yourself and your team, leading the development across a small number of teams or taking responsibility for a particular technical specialism where you will act as a subject matter expert. You’ll support and mentor less experienced colleagues and help them to understand what great software engineering looks like, promoting best practises, and setting standards across the organisation, you’ll participate in guilds, and encourage cross-organisation initiatives to help build our community of engineers. 

Our tech stacks vary between products (such as Java, C#, React.js, Oracle, Mongo, Elastic Search and Hadoop to name a few). We embrace a DevSecOps mindset, our teams automate, run and support what we build.   You’ll be working under the Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Capability framework, which recognises and rewards specialist expertise. Due to the nature of our work, our teams only work from the office.  Whether it’s building a platform to enable the analysis of data systems to track the progress of our investigations, compliance services to ensure we are operating legally or tooling to improve our developer experience, the nature of our work presents unique and fascinating engineering challenges, the likes of which you will never have seen before.  

Person specification

You’ll demonstrate experience working with a broad range of technologies, leading engineering teams and competent in making technical decisions or taking responsibility for a particular technical specialism matter expert. We’re looking for software engineers who are proficient in developing software in at least one common language.  For example, Java, C#, Python, GoLang or JavaScript. You’ll be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the agile methodology and have awareness of design patterns and how to implement them appropriately with security in mind. We value your good communication skills, as you collaborate with solution and principal architects to ensure the team owns and drives forward the solution that delivers the right results. 

Benefits

• 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order: 

• You’ll be invited to upload your CV and complete an online application form 
• If you pass, you’ll be invited to an interview where you will be asked questions relating to your motivation and our core competencies
• If you pass, you’ll be invited to a technical skill-based interview based on the Digital Data and Technology capability framework for the role

This will cover drawing upon your experience for the following DDaT skills:

1.    Programming & Build including Modern Standard Approaches 
2. Development Process Optimisations 
3. Information Security 
4. System Design including User Focus 

For more details, please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/software-developer#lead-developer           

If you pass, you’ll start our vetting process.   

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer. 

Before You Apply 

To work at MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.

This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here. 

Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage. 

The role is based in Central London so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before applying. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment. 

Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.  

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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.

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).