Senior Software Engineer at GCHQ (UK intelligence and cyber agency) in Cheltenham: design and deliver mission-critical national-security software, shape architecture and engineering best practices (code review, branching, deployment), and mentor teams. Works across multiple languages (JavaScript, Java, Node.js, Python, Rust) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
In this role you will help design and deliver mission-critical software at GCHQ. You will influence architecture, promote best practices, and produce high-quality solutions that support UK security. You’ll work across languages and frameworks, shaping how teams build and deploy software. The role offers growth through mentoring, cross-team collaboration, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies. This is a chance to contribute to national security while advancing your technical leadership.
Pay / Benefits
Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
starting salary 50,354 to 60,036
recruitment bonus 3,500
25 days annual leave (30 after 5 years)
season ticket loan
cycle to work scheme
Responsibilities
contribute to architecture and design of new and existing systems
establish and promote software engineering best practices
deliver high-quality software solutions
define code review, branching, and deployment strategies
review pull requests to maintain quality and maintainability
lead and mentor teams or serve as a technical expert
collaborate with cross-functional peers and stakeholders
drive adoption of new software engineering practices to improve quality and delivery
Key requirements
experience leading Agile project teams
proficiency with cloud platforms AWS, Azure, and GCP
strong programming experience across multiple languages (JavaScript, Java, Node.js, Python, Rust)
ability to communicate technical information to diverse stakeholders