Senior Software Engineer
GCHQ is the United Kingdom's intelligence, security and cyber agency, working to identify, analyse and disrupt threats to the UK.
About Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
A UK public body whose statutory function includes foreign-focused signals intelligence. GCHQ uses technical capabilities, analysis and online effects across counter-terrorism, cyber security, serious and organised crime, strategic advantage and support to defence. It has publicly described responsible AI use in its national-security mission.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
You will design and architect new and existing systems, establish engineering practices, and deliver high-quality software. You will work hands-on with modern technologies, define code review, branching, and deployment strategies, mentor others, lead Agile projects, and communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Requirements
- Demonstrate ownership of a technical project or piece of work
- Demonstrate knowledge of several modern languages or frameworks, such as Golang, Java, JavaScript, Node.js, Python, or Rust
- Demonstrate experience working in an Agile technical project team
- Apply software engineering principles to deliver, maintain, and improve solutions in a complex technical environment
- Have experience with AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Have successfully led Agile project teams and evaluated customer business requirements
- Be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality
- Be able to obtain Developed Vetting clearance
- Live within commutable distance of Cheltenham or Manchester
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the architecture and design of new and existing systems
- Establish and promote software engineering best practices
- Deliver high-quality software solutions
- Define code review, branching, and deployment strategies
- Review pull requests to support maintainable solutions
- Apply software engineering expertise across modern frameworks and technologies
- Lead and mentor teams or act as a technical expert
- Lead Agile project teams
- Evaluate customer business requirements
- Communicate technical information with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Help shape technical priorities and improve engineering practices
Benefits
- Flexible working patterns, including full-time, part-time, and compressed hours
- Hybrid working and some homeworking may be available depending on business needs
- Flexible start and finish times where possible
- 25 days of annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years, plus 10.5 public and privilege holidays
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site gym, restaurant, and coffee bars at some locations
- Paid parental and adoption leave
- Travel-cost reimbursement for in-person interviews or assessments during recruitment and vetting
Hiring Process
Initial online application with pre-screening questions → online Situational Judgement Test → technical and competency-based interview including a presentation → conditional offer subject to vetting.