Software Engineer

Information Services Group / DCC and EDINA

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended (permanent)

The Opportunity

ELM is the University of Edinburgh’s secure gateway to generative artificial intelligence, providing safer access to Large Language Models for the University and wider UK tertiary education sector. We are looking for a skilled and collaborative Software Engineer to help design, build, test and support the ELM platform as it develops into a reliable, secure and accessible AI innovation service for education.

You will join the ELM software engineering team within DCC and EDINA, contributing across the full software development life cycle. The role involves engineering and maintaining full-stack features using Java, the Java Spring Framework, TypeScript and Angular, alongside database, API, integration and deployment work. You will work with colleagues across product, service, testing, systems administration, security and support teams to deliver robust and user-focused functionality.

This is an opportunity to work on a high-profile platform at the intersection of software engineering, education and responsible use of generative AI. You will contribute to the continued development of ELM as a trusted service, helping institutions and users access AI tools in a safer, more managed and effective way.

The role will suit a software engineer with strong practical experience in modern web application development, relational databases, containerised deployment and continuous integration / continuous deployment practices. You should be comfortable working collaboratively in an agile or iterative environment and able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues.

Your skills and attributes for success

• Substantial hands-on experience engineering software using Java and the Java Spring Framework, including Spring Boot or equivalent Spring technologies.
• Practical experience developing web applications using TypeScript and Angular.
• Experience working with relational databases and SQL, including schema changes, queries, data integrity and troubleshooting.
• Experience building or working with RESTful APIs and software integrations.
• Experience using Docker, Kubernetes and containerised deployment approaches.
• Experience with continuous integration and deployment pipelines, automated builds, automated testing and Git-based workflows.
• Understanding of software testing, code review, secure coding, maintainability and technical documentation.
• Experience working in an agile, iterative or collaborative software delivery environment.
• Working knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and good general knowledge of coding for accessibility.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues.

Desirable experience includes

• Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Ruby.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud.
• Experience with micro services, messaging, event-driven systems or API gateways.
• Experience supporting production services or working within ITIL-style support processes.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or contributing to team standards.
• Experience in higher education, research, public sector or other complex organisational environments.
• Experience integrating with AI/LLM platforms, model provider APIs, authentication systems or usage-monitoring services.
• Awareness of data protection, privacy, security and responsible-use considerations relevant to generative AI services.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• The opportunity to be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive staff benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives and flexible work options.

This post is full-time, 35 hours per week; however, we are open to considering part-time or flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working, on a non-contractual basis, that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

- CV

- Cover letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary.

• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.

• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.

• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page   and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from candidates from groups that are underrepresented in software engineering and digital technology roles.

Key dates to note

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.