Web Developers Ref. 197

GCHQ is one of the UK’s three intelligence agencies, providing signals intelligence and cyber defence.

GCHQ has begun a major initiative to develop a range of rich web applications to allow our end users to more effectively interpret data.  These applications are being developed using modern web technologies and tools, such as HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.  We are recruiting senior engineers who specialise in modern web development as well as junior engineers looking to specialise in these technologies.

Requirements

We are looking for developers who can innovate, who enjoy experimenting with new technologies and sharing their experience and skills with the wider team.

Opportunities are now available for Senior Web Developers (GC8), Lead Web Developers (GC9) and Junior Web Developers (GC10). The grade of appointment is dependent on your level of experience and/or knowledge.

We are a fast moving organisation with an emphasis on the quick delivery of high quality software and therefore you will need to adapt to constantly evolving and shifting user needs.

You will have either:

• A minimum 2:2 degree in scientific or technical subject such as Computer Science, Engineering or Mathematics

OR

• Significant experience and qualifications in the technologies listed in the skills section below

Your CV should focus on evidence of web applications that you have developed and that have been successfully used. If you are applying for the Lead or Senior roles, you should include links to examples of work you have completed – for example, web sites you have been a developer for, open source JavaScript libraries you have created, articles you have written or your GitHub home page.

Roles/Responsibilities

As a Senior Web Developer (GC8) at GCHQ you will work as part of a small multi-disciplinary agile team working to Scrum and responsible for developing cutting edge applications.  You will develop the concepts for new projects and get them off the ground, undertaking complex design work.  You will be responsible for defining the technical work of small teams acting as their role model, supporting them with your deep skills and experience.

As a Lead Web Developer (GC9) at GCHQ you will work as part of a small multi-disciplinary agile team working to Scrum and responsible for developing cutting edge applications.  You will undertake challenging web development tasks and be the lead designer for new projects.  You will be required to be the technical lead within a small team; mentoring and supporting them to deliver projects, as well as helping them further develop their web development skills.

As a Junior Web Developer (GC10) at GCHQ you’ll work as part of a small multi-disciplinary agile team working to Scrum and responsible for developing cutting edge applications.  You will work closely with users through all stages of the development lifecycle, from shaping a solution through to testing and deployment. 

A Web Developer role at GCHQ has several unique benefits:

• Your work will offer challenges not found anywhere else – we use huge, complex and varied data sets, so it will be much more than just using jQuery!
• You will work directly with users, and see first hand the benefits of your work to the organisation
• You will have a wide range of opportunities to develop your skills further, for example through training, attending conferences or learning from our large workforce of high calibre engineers and user experience designers.

Skills

For the Senior Web Developer (GC8) role you will have had a significant career so far leading or being the technical authority on web development projects.

For the Lead Web Developer (GC9) role you will have had at least 4 years experience spent designing and developing front-end web applications.

For both the Lead & Senior roles, you should have, and be able to demonstrate, expert knowledge of and experience using several of the following tools and technologies in web applications:

• HTML5 and CSS3, utilising the best practices of performance, security, accessibility and usability
• Common JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and Bootstrap
• At least one JavaScript MV* framework such as Angular, Backbone or Ember
• Server side JavaScript with Node.js
• JavaScript build, release and module management tools such as Grunt, Bower, NPM or Require.js
• CSS extensions with SASS or LESS
• Front-end unit test tools and frameworks such as Jasmine or QUnit
• Configuration and source control management such as Git or SVN
• Templating tools such as Handlebars
• Data display libraries such as D3 or Recline
• User-centred design
• Agile development methodologies

For the Junior Web Developer (GC10) role you will need some previous experience of software development and creating web applications using JavaScript. Further to that you should have an interest in and an understanding of the following technologies and tools:

• HTML5 and CSS3
• JavaScript development and functional programming
• Use of a common JavaScript library such as JQuery or Bootstrap
• At least one JavaScript MV* frameworks such as Angular, Backbone or Ember
• Front-end unit test tools and frameworks such as Jasmine or QUnit
• Templating tools such as Handlebars
• Configuration and source control management such as Git or SVN
• User-centred design
• Agile development methodologies

Selection Process

As part of this campaign you will be required to undergo:

• Minimum Eligibility Sift – Preference Sift – Interview

This campaign is open and ongoing throughout the year, and candidates will be taken forward in the recruitment process on a monthly basis.

The Reward Package

Generally, you can expect a salary package in the range of £25k to £46k including bonuses depending upon your skills and experience; this may include a one off recruitment bonus. Other bonuses are paid upon validation of certain specialist technical skills and successful completion of your 6 months probation. Additional payments may be available for outstanding performers. Salary and bonus payments are reviewed annually. Successful candidates may be eligible for a retention payment after successful completion of probation; eligibility is reviewed each year and cannot be guaranteed.​