Lead Software Developer

Summary

It is an exciting time for HM Land Registry (HMLR) as we continue a major transformation programme. HMLR's ambition is to become the world's leading land registry for speed, simplicity and an open approach to data.

This role of Lead Software Developer is part of a new team within HMLR's Transformation and Technology directorate to develop and maintain the integrations between our various corporate services/systems.

Currently HMLR uses the MuleSoft Anypoint platform for the majority of such integrations - this new team will own these integrations. Where appropriate, the team will design and develop capability APIs as facades to each of our corporate systems, refactoring the MuleSoft components as they go.

The capability APIs will follow our platform development standards and leverage our standard technology stack (Java, Python, OpenShift) supported by our 100+ strong community of software developers. The goal of this approach is to improve the isolation between our corporate systems, enabling easier maintenance, effective testing, and independently deployable components. The team will be working with a wide variety of tools and systems that underpin many of the absolutely critical corporate processes and systems that HMLR relies upon every day.

Job description

A Lead Software Developer leads development on one or a small number of related project teams:
guide the ways in which the team works
be proficient in a wide range of technical systems
be involved in identifying appropriate technology and approaches, deciding when software should be written
contribute to the developer community
provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring your team
promote knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice

You will actively participate and contribute to the developer community, be a visible, accessible and available point of contact to the software development community.

Collaborate with other disciplines to enable effective cross-functional delivery and continuously improve the quality of the software and systems produced. Develop software, following industry best practice, aligned to HMLR standards and approved technologies.

You will identify and implement optimisations to the development process. Ensure that software designs are aligned to strategic goals and policies and undertake strategic planning and input into organisational priorities. Ensure the software development practice has credibility and influence across the organisation.

You will develop your own skills and knowledge through agreed personal development activities.

HMLR expect everyone to spend at least 60% of their working time in the office.

Occasional travel to other HMLR and government offices, including overnight stays where necessary.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you must demonstrate expert programming skills - using object-oriented languages (e.g. Java, Python) and strong knowledge of functional and behavioural automated testing techniques (e.g. TDD, BDD).

You will have experience of leading in the application of appropriate modern standards and practices and will be able to demonstrate experience of working as a senior developer on agile software development projects and have experience of developing proof of concept prototypes (e.g. to inform service design). You can maintain and support services in production.

You will be able to design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. Experience of defining integrations between systems and coordinating the associated build and test activities. Experience of working with users to understand their needs, and using this to drive development.

You will also have a good understanding of continuous integration and continuous delivery practices.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Expert programmer using object-oriented languages (e.g. Java, Python)
Strong knowledge of functional and behavioural automated testing techniques (e.g. TDD, BDD)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,388, HM Land Registry contributes £15,756 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

At HM Land Registry our vision is a world leading property market as part of a thriving economy and a sustainable future. We are unique in terms of the economic and social impacts of our work, our ability to make a positive difference to the lives of our customers, our sense of mission, and our great people. They are the foundation of all we have achieved and all we aspire to in the future. We want our people to feel proud to work for HM Land Registry and able to fulfil their full potential.

We have a strong and positive culture, a commitment to inclusivity, an emphasis on continuous learning and development, and flexible ways of working. We offer competitive pay and annual leave, attractive pension options and a wide range of other benefits.
We have integrity - we value honesty, trust and doing the right thing in the right way.
We drive innovation - we are forward-thinking, embrace change and are continually improving our processes.
We are professional - we value and grow our knowledge and professional expertise.
We give assurance - we guarantee our services and provide confidence to the property market.

Salary

£54,388 - £68,900 Government Digital and Data Pay Framework Eligible

Location - Plymouth and Croydon only

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form and attach your CV when prompted. Your CV should demonstrate how you meet the Essential 'Experience' as listed in the candidate pack.

In a case of high application numbers we may sift on the lead Essential Experience criteria below:
Experience of defining integrations between systems and coordinating the associated build and test activities.

Please review your application form before clicking 'submit' - once you have submitted, you will not be able to amend your application. Ensure your application form is received by the closing date for receipt of applications - this is 11:55pm on the advertised date.

Please note the sift will take place shortly after the closing date.

If successful at sift you will be invited to attend a blended video interview and pre-prepared presentation, held over Microsoft Teams, week commencing 11 November 2024.

The blended interview and pre-prepared presentation will test the Technical Skills and Essential Experience, as listed in the Job Description. Further details of the interview process and presentation brief, will be provided to candidates who are invited to interview.

Contact point for applicants

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £54,388.00-£68,900.00 per year

Expected hours: No more than 37 per week

Benefits:
Company events
Company pension
Cycle to work scheme
Flexitime
Work from home
Schedule:
Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Plymouth, PL6 5WS

Reference ID: 372608
Expected start date: 02/01/2025