Software Engineer

Help shape the future of our digital products for our residents by joining our Software Engineering team and working on some exciting projects in various multi-disciplinary teams.

About the team

The Engineering team is part of Customer Services and ICT and has two disciplines: software engineering and cloud engineering.

Our software engineers work on a range of products from customising off the shelf integrated systems to building cutting edge cloud native products. We’ve been part of cutting edge digital transformation work, building systems that are more responsive, delivering greater experiences to our residents.

We have developed a unique culture of exploration and collaboration. We welcome and embrace curious minds and, as a result of this, built some truly amazing products. We have a really engaging community of practice where we interface with other disciplines including cloud, data, security and delivery.

What we do

The Software Engineering team is involved in building exciting new applications and services using some of the latest cloud technologies.

We design and build digital products which meet the needs of our residents and bring our product vision to life: “products that reduce time and effort for residents to get the services they need and inspire confidence in the council”.

We also build integrations between systems, enhancing their functionality and delivering the best for our residents. 

We do this by:

• Working with our colleagues to understand ever changing user needs.
• Constantly reviewing and evaluating emerging technologies to see where they can add value to our services.
• Collaborating with our team members and exploring new ideas.
• Iterating and improving on our in-house products.

About the role

As a Software Engineer you will work with our delivery, product and user research colleagues to understand the needs of our users and collaborate to build and improve on some unique digital solutions.

To do this you will:

• Analyse various problems or opportunities and design and develop solutions to address them in collaboration with our design and research colleagues.
• Evaluate, iterate and improve on existing solutions so they continue to meet user needs.
• Continue to look at ways of developing our capabilities to keep abreast of rapidly evolving technologies

About you

The role will suit you if you:

1. Are keen on exploring new technologies and have a good understanding of the cloud (AWS) ecosystem
2. Are really passionate about solving complex problems with digital solutions
3. Have an insatiably curious mind when it comes to software engineering
4. Are motivated by being able to deliver satisfaction to your users (in our case, Hackney residents)
5. Have experience working with:

• C# (.NET)
• JavaScript (React)
• Databases including SQL Server, Posgres, MySQL
• Cloud technologies, specifically AWS
• CI/CD Pipelines
• Git/Github

Our priorities

We want to continue to deliver the best services to our residents, so over the next year we plan to:

• Improve the operational efficiencies of our products in terms of performance, cost, security, etc
• Focus on improving our security posture.
• Expand and improve our software engineering capabilities so that we can solve a broader range of problems and explore new opportunities.

To do this we need a brilliant team, with the right people and skills in place.

Where we work

We offer flexible, hybrid working. Spending time at our central Hackney Council offices working closely with our services and users is important and our teams spend at least 1 day a week in the office. We also use collaboration tools (Google, Slack, Miro, etc) to work online on the days we’re not together.

What we love about working at Hackney

We have an open and collaborative work culture and enjoy:

• solving real world problems to improve the lives of residents
• that our views and projects are valued by our leadership
• being able to work flexibly
• working alongside a diverse range of colleagues
• that we’re encouraged to learn and given the space to do it
• the generous annual leave and unrivalled pension scheme

Talk to us or ask any questions

If you’d like an informal chat about the role, you can speak to Selwyn Preston, Head of Engineering. Selwyn can be reached at selwyn.preston@hackney.gov.uk

There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It’s one of the most sought after areas to live in London with good schools, parks and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities.

you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 8 October 2023 (22:59 pm)

Interview date: To be confirmed

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk