About the job

Job summary

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we encourage applications from everyone, particularly groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. We pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has and promote inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all. Our recruitment process is anonymised, which means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.  

Role Title: Senior Software Engineer 

Grade: SEO 

Salary: £40,808 - £57,400

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £40,808. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £16,592.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process.

Please note, the new Capability–Based Pay Framework comes into effect on 1st August 2024, and this will be the earliest available start date for this role. 

Here are more details on the pay framework.

Can you see yourself working with the latest technologies reaching 50 million users?

If so, we are expanding our team and would love to hear from you!

As part of our ongoing mission to support and develop all staff within the DVLA, you will be given a high spec Macbook and we will help you to achieve certification in areas such as AWS and Java, as well as giving you the freedom and support necessary to perform in your role and continuously develop your skill set.

Job description

The DVLA deliver wide reaching digital services to the UK public and industry. We maintain the national record of vehicles and drivers. If you have applied for a driving licence, changed vehicle, re-licensed your vehicle or completed a vehicle enquiry you would have used one of our services.

The time is right to join one of the leading agile, cloud and technical departments in the government, one that is constantly pushing the boundaries of technological innovation to find, develop, and introduce new and innovative technological advancements. On a modern cloud platform, we work with a range of industry-leading technologies, such as serverless, Docker, and Kubernetes.

Within and between our teams, we have a friendly and stable engineering community. Keeping work life enjoyable is key to us, and we strive to ensure the efficient and secure use of software and infrastructure.

Our current deliveries include:

• Two major programmes of work, modernising our drivers and vehicles services and systems
• Entirely new services including a new customer portal, mobile digital driving licence and identity platform
• The DVLA digital payment service that helps us collect around 6 billion pounds a year
• New versions of key driving licence services that will help us to reduce paper forms, reduce waiting times and to enable all of our customers to transact digitally.

As part of our core business services, you will work with Java and SpringBoot alongside tools like OpenAPI. No specific Java experience is needed. All you need is a passion for building clean, maintainable, and secure applications using an object-oriented language.

If you’re working on the front-end, you’ll be developing applications and reusable components using a combination of Ruby on Rails and React. You will also have the opportunity to build and develop our external and internal UIs, so this is an exciting opportunity to deliver far reaching, intuitive and accessible front-end systems.

Responsibilities

Include but not limited to:

• Working within a technical framework of the project to meet customer requirements
• Developing Software in an agile team environment
• Application Support
• Working closely with business analysts and agile delivery managers to prepare and review user stories and tasks
• Some testing responsibilities
• Mentoring junior developers within the team.

Would you like to find out more about the role, the digital team and what it’s like to work at DVLA? If so, we are organising a familiarisation session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on Wednesday 12th June at 12:30PM. 

Please click here to book on.

Additional information  

This role will be based in Swansea, and we will be operating a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work, subject to business needs and this also allows for ongoing support, development, and collaboration with colleagues.   

Therefore, the expectation is that you will spend a minimum of 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace (DVLA). We would encourage you to discuss the working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process. 

Applications will be accepted from full time/part time/job sharers. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’. 

Person specification

• You will be experienced working as a software engineer across multiple teams and projects, developing software using a variety of modern technologies and tools.
• A passion for back-end, front-end development, security or serverless technology.
• You will need to be comfortable in using modern CI/CD tooling with an understanding of languages such as Java, Ruby, C#, HTML, Python or similar. As we develop we are committed to the development of our employees, so we will help you achieve certification in these areas as well as AWS and Azure.
• You need to have a passion for modern software development technologies and standard methodologies.
• You would need to have had to communicate with engineering peers and business partners.

We strive to ensure that DVLA is a great place to work where everybody can be their true self, be treated with dignity and respect, and according to their individual needs. We have a number of staff network groups run by staff to support their colleagues.  

Working for the DVLA Digital Team 

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.    

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog. 

We have recently posted an insightful blog, where our Principal Engineer covers some hot topics across our Software Development areas which you can find here, "DVLA Software Developer: Behind the Screens".   

To read about the DVLA’s engineering site please click here.

 

Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 12 months. 

Benefits

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:   

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role   
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance   
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues   
• Generous employer contribution of at least 26.6%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme  
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks  
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)  
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar   
• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 1 extra day for the King’s birthday  
• Free parking    

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

How to Apply  

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV. Please see the following details on how to apply.

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page. You will be required to submit a CV providing detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:  

• Working on one or more large-scale, enterprise software delivery projects
• Experience in one or more technical specialisms such as Java, C#, front-end development or serverless technology.

Please note that any part of the role profile could be tested at sift/interview.   

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.  
   
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• An interview and technical coding exercise.

Assessment and Interview 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).   

On receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.  

If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by inspire people), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).   

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview (which will include an assessment) and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.  

Final stage interviews will take place from Wednesday 3rd July 2024.

At the final interview stage, you will be assessed against various Behavioural and Technical elements. (Find more information around these elements by following the Success Profiles and Technical skill links in the advert).   

This interview will be conducted via a video, details of which will be provided, should you be selected for interview. 

Please familiarise yourself with the GDaD Profession framework as you will be tested on elements of this during the interview stage. 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.     

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.    

Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.    

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact dvla@inspirepeople.net as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Should your application be successful to interview stage, you should contact dvla@inspirepeople.net  to advise upon any reasonable adjustment requirements you may need for the interview or presentation stage. 

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

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 security check (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

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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.