Software Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Job Details

Software Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

Job summary

• Are you intrigued by exploring new technologies?
• Do you code or solve problems in your spare time?
• Does earning a degree whilst being paid and having no student loan excite you?

If so, the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (Software Engineer) Level 6 apprenticeship is for you.

Your journey in Software Engineering at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) starts in either the Transformative Techniques and Technologies group (Exploration) or Counter-terrorism & Security (CTS) where you will join a group of friendly colleagues tackling a range of projects from small-scale software models to large-scale complex simulations.

You will share our values collaboration, innovation and impact, which are at the heart of everything we do. These aren’t just desk jobs - we offer hands-on work like no other, with capabilities and facilities unique to Dstl. This is software in an engineering context.

Your Current Situation:

You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces, looking for a career change or not enjoying your current studies. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can become join us as a Software Engineering Apprentice.

What's Next?

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, if you have demonstrated the

required behaviours, we will support you in applying for a permanent position at Dstl, or with another apprenticeship.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Learn, grow and develop your skills in Software Engineering supported by your friendly
• colleagues and training provider.
• Apply your learning to real projects
• Discover how Software Engineering has a real impact on defence and security work

Person specification

You will have:

• A passion for Software Engineering
• A desire to launch your career in the defence industry
• A curiosity to understand how and why things work
• A good understanding of basic mathematic principles and the desire to learn more

You will possess these essential skills:

• The ability to learn new software technologies and languages
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Problem solving

For more information on the role, please see the Job Profile attached below.

You will have these Essential Qualifications:

• 2 A-Levels (C+) or equivalent including a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based subject which may include Computing, ICT or physics
• 5 GCSE’s grade 4-9/C+ including English and Maths

Desirable:

• 3 A-Levels (C+)
• A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science

Don’t have an A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science but are a keen hobbyist, done some online courses? Please apply and reference them in your application. Equivalent experience could also come from industry relevant areas such as the military.

Important Information:

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Location/Working Pattern:

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office/lab/range (on site) and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the workplace, subject to on-site estates capacity.  

Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another Ministry Of Defence workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,511, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £6,617 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

About Dstl

There’s nowhere quite like the Defence Science Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Our world-class team pushes the boundaries of science – carrying out cutting-edge work that supports our armed forces and keeps the UK and our people safe. Together, we explore ideas in everything from AI and cybersecurity to advanced materials and space systems. No one else does what we do. No one else makes the impact we make. 

Because of the vital nature of our work, we have to keep some things secret - not everything. Scratch the surface here and you'll discover a fascinating organisation with almost endless areas to explore. You’ll also find an inclusive culture where your learning and development will be both personalised and supported.

So if you’re ready to discover projects you just won’t find anywhere else (and probably won’t be able to tell anyone about) come and start your career with us.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.