Java Software Engineer

About The Company DWP Digital is a vital arm of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the UK's largest government department dedicated to supporting millions of citizens across the country. As a forward-thinking organization, DWP Digital focuses on creating secure, scalable, and innovative digital services that enhance public welfare and streamline government operations.

The department manages payments exceeding £195 billion annually, helping individuals into employment, providing financial support, and improving the overall quality of public services. With a commitment to leveraging modern technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, DWP Digital is at the forefront of digital transformation in the public sector. Its mission is to deliver user-centric solutions that make a tangible difference in people's lives, ensuring accessibility, security, and efficiency in all its offerings.

About The Role We are seeking a talented Java Software Engineer to join DWP Digital and contribute to building and maintaining high-quality digital services used by millions of UK citizens. In this role, you will work within dynamic, multidisciplinary teams to design, develop, and support applications that are resilient, secure, and scalable.

Your work will directly impact public services, helping to transform and improve the way government interacts with its users. You will collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and product teams to implement modern solutions utilizing Java, cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, Kubernetes, Python, and CI/CD pipelines. As a vital member of our engineering community, you will share knowledge, promote best practices, and help ensure the delivery of robust software products that meet the needs of diverse users.

The role offers a unique opportunity to work on large-scale systems, employing innovative technologies to make a meaningful difference in public service delivery.

Qualifications The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in Java development, with proven experience in building large-scale, secure applications.

Essential qualifications include expertise in developing APIs, RESTful services, and microservice architectures.

Experience working with cloud environments such as AWS or Azure is highly desirable, along with a solid understanding of containerization technologies like Kubernetes. Candidates should have a strong grasp of Test Driven Development (TDD) and Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) methodologies, along with proficiency in SQL and NoSQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB. A background in developing and maintaining automated test suites supporting continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines is also required.

Additionally, experience with open-source technologies and supporting Java 21+ applications will be advantageous. A collaborative mindset, problem-solving skills, and a passion for delivering impactful digital solutions are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities As a Java Software Engineer at DWP Digital, your primary responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining secure and scalable digital services used by millions of users. You will work within agile teams to deliver high-quality software products that enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Your tasks will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams—including architects, engineers, and product managers—to develop APIs, microservices, and cloud-based applications. You will be responsible for writing clean, efficient code, conducting code reviews, and supporting automated testing practices to ensure software quality. Supporting continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines will be a key aspect of your role, ensuring rapid and reliable delivery of updates.

You will also contribute to technical documentation, share best practices within the community, and stay updated on emerging technologies to continually improve our systems.

Your role will be instrumental in supporting the department’s digital transformation initiatives, ensuring services are resilient, accessible, and aligned with government standards.

Benefits Joining DWP Digital offers a comprehensive package of benefits designed to support your work-life balance and professional growth. The role offers a hybrid working model, combining 40% remote work with 60% face-to-face collaboration in hubs.

The salary for this position is highly competitive at £59,813 per annum. Employees benefit from a generous civil service pension scheme with employer contributions of 28.97%, valued at over £13,266 annually. The leave entitlement starts at 26 days, increasing to 31 days over time, plus all public holidays.

Additionally, you can take up to three extra days off each month through flexi-time arrangements. The organization provides a range of benefits, including time off for volunteering and charitable activities, discounts on shopping and entertainment, interest-free loans for bikes and season tickets, and extensive opportunities for professional development through coaching, mentoring, and career progression. DWP Digital fosters an inclusive and diverse environment, supporting employees to bring their authentic selves to work and thrive in their careers.

Equal Opportunity

DWP Digital is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law. Our organization strives to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

We believe that diverse teams foster innovation and improve our ability to serve the public effectively. As part of our commitment, we ensure fair hiring practices and provide ongoing support to promote an inclusive culture that respects and celebrates individual differences.