Software Developers

GCHQ is offering an exciting opportunity for software developers with a range of experience, from graduates to seasoned professionals, to join our software teams. With a passion for technology, you’ll have the ability to solve complex technical problems with innovative and clever solutions.

In one of our teams where the work is challenging and rewarding, your work will directly support the whole range of GCHQ’s technical capabilities. One day, you may be developing software to access the computers of a terrorist group.  The next day, you could be carrying out operations to retrieve vital online clues about the location and identity of members of an organised crime ring. Or even be disrupting, denying or degrading the computer networks of adversaries, including cyber criminals. Your work could also sometimes be in support of vital military operations.

The following roles are currently available:

Competent Practitioner roles -  You’re likely to be joining from a relevant job elsewhere or have recently obtained a relevant degree (see requirements section for more info on degree subjects).  Expect to take responsibility for reasonably big and complex pieces of work having some degree of autonomy in how you tackle them.

Senior Practitioner roles – You’ll have responsibility for complex and significant tasks and be a leader in your field, operating without the need for much supervision. This may include financial or team management responsibilities, but not always; your strengths may lie in your technical skills and knowledge rather than your leadership ability. You’ll have demonstrated similar experience elsewhere or have strong evidence that you are capable of this level of responsibility.

Principle Practitioner and Manager Roles – Often with charted status, you’ll be responsible for leading significant and important work, often in complex and uncertain areas. This may include significant financial, project or team responsibilities. You’ll engage at all levels of the organisation and lead in areas of high business impact, including national and international level. Alternatively, you may be a deep expert of world leading calibre, capable of solving the hardest problems possible and advancing your field into new and uncharted areas.

REQUIREMENTS

We’re looking for passionate individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds, who are intuitive and curious about technology and want to make a real difference to the UK.

To apply for these roles, you have, or expect to obtain shortly, a 2:2 degree or above in a relevant STEM subject (Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Science, Technology, Engineering), or you have relevant work experience.

Along with an aptitude for problem-solving, you like to keep up with changing technology and are able to develop sophisticated code and grasp computing concepts. You may also have some knowledge or experience in the following areas:

• Design and development in the C family of languages, Python, Java or assembly;
• Performance analysis and optimisation of software;
• Design and development using distributed big data technologies such as Hadoop;
• Application and Data Processing development, including web application frameworks, user interfaces and automated testing.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

You’ll be offered a competitive package with excellent development opportunities and encouraged to gain professional development to help you reach Chartered Engineer or Chartered IP Professional. You could also have the opportunity to run internal schemes, in collaboration with the IET.

To apply for this role, and any other technical opportunities, please return to the main page.