Senior Software Engineer

About the Role

Salary for UKTL specialist roles are benchmarked against the external market and may include additional compensation to recognise in-demand technical expertise.

If you’re looking for meaningful work in an inclusive environment that values curiosity, teamwork, and continuous learning, you’ll thrive here.

What this role means for you

As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll be at the heart of projects that matter. You’ll help design and shape the architecture of systems that support security testing and research that protects critical national infrastructure, influencing how we deliver secure and high‑quality software.

This is a hands‑on technical role where your expertise drives real outcomes. You will:

• Work across multiple languages, frameworks, and platforms to solve complex challenges
• Help define and improve engineering best practices, branching and deployment strategies
• Review pull requests, guide colleagues, and raise code quality across teams
• Champion innovation and bring new ideas that help us stay ahead of emerging threats
• Collaborate with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders to shape priorities and deliver meaningful solutions

You’ll join a wider technical community that shares knowledge, encourages experimentation, and supports your growth.

Successful Applicants must be able to commute to the UKTL offices in Birmingham at least twice a week

We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in. 

About You

You operate confidently at a deep technical level and enjoy working across a variety of technologies. You’re comfortable making informed architectural and engineering decisions, and you bring a forward‑looking mindset to how software is designed, built, and maintained.

You bring a genuine enthusiasm for discovering and applying new engineering techniques and assessing new technologies with a focus on good engineering practice—including maintainability, longevity, and available market resources.

You may already be leading or mentoring a team, or acting as a technical expert within a high‑performing group. You’re equally comfortable using COTS software to build solutions as you are building, or guiding others to build, bespoke software.

Importantly, you can communicate confidently with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders and make a positive contribution to the organisation.

You are technology‑agnostic, ideally a polyglot programmer, and already using Linux and open‑source technologies day to day.

You’re someone who:

• Has experience working in Agile teams
• Understands and applies DevOps/DevSecOps practices
• Uses strong software testing techniques (e.g., TDD/BDD) and writes high‑quality tests
• Translates user or business needs into robust technical solutions
• Enjoys solving complex, often novel, engineering problems
• Communicates clearly and collaborates effectively
• Brings curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning
• Is comfortable with multiple programming languages and willing to learn new ones
• Produces high‑quality technical documentation
• Evaluates new technologies and creates compelling business cases for their adoption

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in this specific area means that nationality, residency and security requirements are more tightly defined than others. To work in this role, you will need to hold an SC clearance with no restrictions. You are welcome to apply without already holding SC clearance; however, you will not be able to start in post until the clearance has been successfully granted .

About Us

• UKTL is building leading edge Telecoms testing facilities to keep our telecommunications networks safe, accelerate the roll-out of new technologies, and grow our world leading telecoms sector to maintain resiliency and security. 

  Read more about UKTL  here !

  Successful candidates will join a state-of-the-art facility and be supporting the team conducting testing and research on the latest technologies and innovations in the industry. You will work alongside our infrastructure and Cybersecurity professionals to ensure that the UK’s world class Telecoms infrastructure grows in a resilient and secure manner underpinning growth in other industry sectors.

  As a trusted and independent national capability, UKTL interacts with standards bodies, Academia, and Government Departments as well as Communications Service Providers and equipment vendors.

  The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. Find out more about what it is like working here -  The measure of us - Overview

  NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme. 

  At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome. More about this on our  Diversity & Inclusion page.

  We offer a wealth of above industry standard benefits, such as enhanced pension scheme, flexible working, and more that can be found here rewards, benefits and recognition .  Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success. To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please  contact us.