Software Engineer

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Closing date: 26 Jul 2018

Reference number: 1591441

Salary £24,000 - £34,500 DOE

Contract type Permanent

Type of role 

Digital

Engineering

Information Technology

Science

Number of posts 2

Location

Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire

About the job

Job description

Are you passionate about delivering highly rewarding research to help protect the UK and our armed forces from real world threats, both at home and abroad? 

The Surveillance Group within the Counter Terrorism and Security Division has opportunities for Software Engineers to join our growing team, with a primary focus in support to Counter Terrorism, Military Operations and Specialist User capabilities. The role involves a diverse range of innovative research, software development and testing for both fast-paced operational support tasks and capability development, keeping the end users at the forefront of this dynamic area of technology. 

Surveillance Group covers a broad range of Science and Technology (S&T) for the MOD and Other Government Departments (OGDs) for current and future programmes in areas including Electronic Surveillance, Communications and Electro-Optics. 

We are looking for someone who has; 

• Software or computer science skills and knowledge 

• Desire to work in a dynamic and fast paced development team using Agile practises 

• An inquisitive nature, a can-do attitude and an innovative approach to problem solveing 

• The ability to work with a wide range of software tools and languages 

In this role you will; 

• Develop, test, document and deliver software products, modules and research as part of an agile team. 

• Test software and hardware products and prototypes safely in the field as part of a multi-disciplinary trials team. 

• Provide timely, impartial, evidence-based advice to customers and end users to enable them to make informed decisions on suitability, compatibility, ability and integration of equipment. 

• Manage own time and workload to complete assigned tasks within agreed timescales and quality standards. 

• Establish effective working relationships and implement best practice through the development of appropriate networks across Dstl. 

• Engage in professional self-development, to ensure Dstl keeps pace with rapid changes in technology. 

Team Members work independently under minimal supervision or as part of a small team, directly contributing to a range of projects of varying size, duration and urgency, whose output directly supports UK Defence Operations. Current areas of work include: 

• RF communications, measurement and exploitation. 

• Electronics systems analysis, design and implementation

• Network systems design, implementation and exploitation. 

• Development and analysis of embedded systems and firmware 

• Digital signal processing and software defined radio. 

• Integration of electronic and radio systems onto military vehicles. 

• Modelling and simulation. 

• Fault testing, fault tolerance assessment and design of fault-tolerant electronic or infrastructure systems, e.g. protocols and design standards 

The role is primarily based in the offices and laboratories at Dstl Porton Down. There will be the need to work on other Dstl sites, MOD locations and with external partners. There will also the opportunity to participate in off-site equipment trials which will usually involve staying in hotel accommodation for up to a week at a time. 

Security clearance required: 

The security of our work means that only UK nationals who have also resided in the UK for the last 5 years (10 years for certain roles) can be considered. Unfortunately dual nationals are not eligible 

Person specification

Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required: 

Essential 

• Knowledge and experience covering one or more of: 

- Common operating systems (primarily Linux based architectures) 

- Network protocols (eg Wifi, Bluetooth) 

- Python, Java, C/C++, Shell Script, and/or XML and able to learn new languages as required. 

- Mobile Application development. 

- Penetration Testing and network security protocols (Encryption, secure networks) 

• Skills in the scientific analysis of experimental results and an ability to draw conclusions and make recommendations. 

• A good standard of written and verbal communication. 

Qualifications

Qualifications 

Essential 

• Education at Degree Level or equivalent in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering or a related discipline. 

Desirable 

• Relevant Post-graduate Qualification. 

• Full UK Driving License 

Benefits

Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including; 

- Chartership and accreditation support 

- Pension 

- Generous annual leave 

- A competitive salary 

- Excellent learning and development 

- Onsite gyms and restaurants 

- A range of staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out 

- Flexible working 

Apply and further information

To apply and for a full job description please go to Civil Service Jobs  https://bit.ly/2uoBuOj