SEEMiS - Software Development Lead

Software Development Lead

Job Family: Development
Grade: Grade 4 Level 2
Location: SEEMiS Group LLP, Hamilton
Service: SEEMiS Group LLP
Reports to: Development Manager

Purpose of the job

To work within a small team of Java developers using agile processes to interpret business requirements and technical specifications for education establishments.

To develop software for the SEEMIS application suite, including analysis, design, coding, testing and documentation whilst ensuring the design solutions meet the requirements of the customer.

Main accountabilities of the job

  • Consulting on and designing software products.
  • Co-ordinating product delivery within an Agile Development Methodology.
  • Development of Java applications.
  • Maintaining service delivery and resolving system issues.
  • Development implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures relating to the software development process.
  • Ensure team members have the skills and knowledge required to undertake development tasks.
  • Technology research and product selection.

Technical knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Technical leadership within a software development environment.
  • Extensive knowledge of software design principles and best practice (Agile Methodology, Object Oriented programming).
  • Strong technical analytical skills and proven ability to engage with all stakeholders in the complete software development lifecycle.
  • Recent experience of designing, developing and maintaining large, interconnected, Java/Jakarta EE applications with a variety of technologies and protocols (for example, Web Services, Rest, EJB).
  • Recent experience developing, and performance tuning databases (preferably PostgreSQL and / or Microsoft SQL Server).

Desirable

  • Experience designing and developing modern Micro services/SOA applications in a cloud environment (preferably AWS).
  • Experience of development using an API first approach.
  • Experience of deploying supporting infrastructure using an Infrastructure as Code approach (for example, Terraform or CloudFormation).
  • Knowledge and experience of developing applications compliant with security standards and best practices (for example, CIS Benchmarks, OWASP).
  • Experience with Java build tools (Maven and/or Ant).
  • Experience with configuring Java/Jakarta EE application servers (for example, Payara, Glassfish).
  • Experience in Application Observability (Tracing, Monitoring and Alerting).
  • Knowledge and experience in automated unit/integration/performance testing tools (for example, Junit, JMeter, RestAssured).
  • Knowledge and experience with CI/CD systems and automated quality testing tools (for example, Jenkins, AWS Code Commit, AWS Pipelines, SonarQube, Checkstyle).
  • Experience reverse engineering legacy systems and processes.
  • Previous experience in digital transformation programmes through refactoring/migrating an existing application estate to a modern cloud native microservice architecture.
  • Knowledge and experience of SEEMiS products and services.
  • Interest / understanding of the Scottish education system.

Personal skills

  • Organised and able to manage / prioritise a multi-dimensional, dynamic workload.
  • Able to remain calm under pressure and to take effective decisions.
  • Creative and lateral thinker.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Team player.

Preferred qualifications / membership of professional bodies

Degree in Software Engineering related discipline.

Candidates must have Java OCA / OCP certification or experience in Java software development in a professional or educational environment. Please note that candidates without this experience will not be eligible to apply for this post.

Job specific competencies

Knowledge and experience - Level 3

  • Takes full responsibility for decisions/solutions relating to specified tasks or projects.
  • Ensures job knowledge, skills, awareness, technical and industry developments are up to date and is able to demonstrate continuous professional development.
  • Ensures familiarity with SEEMiS tools, software, hardware, methods and standards is maintained.
  • Reports on project progress to Software Development Lead/Development Manager.

Communication - Level 2-3

  • Is able to demonstrate effective oral and written communication ability covering all routine activity and contacts.
  • Contributes to team objectives by participating in discussion and offering suggestions and/or guidance.

Decision making and judgement - Level 2-3

  • Ability to make decisions in a timely manner.
  • Uses sound judgement and draws on experience to make decisions.
  • Seeks the advice of others when required to facilitate the decision-making process.
  • Takes responsibility for making decisions.
  • Will assist and lead others in making decisions.

Problem solving and analysis - Level 2-3

  • Ability to identify the underlying cause of a problem.
  • Considers options before deciding a solution.
  • Ensures solution resolves problem.
  • Ability to analyse relationships among a few parts of a problem and determine the root cause.
  • Observes discrepancies, trends and inter-relationships of a problem and is able to establish corrective action.
  • Takes follow up action to ensure there is not a recurrence.

 Achieving results - Level 2-3

  • Clearly understands the relationships of delivering services to meet SEEMiS goals and objectives and how SEEMiS supports the achievement of education establishment software objectives.
  • Uses initiative and makes time available to ensure general technical competencies and specialisations are kept up to date.
  • Uses selected technical tools in such a way as to meet targets of cost, time, quality and performance.

 Core competencies

Personal initiative and drive - Level 2-3

  • Within work and time restraints, is able to plan, schedule and monitor own work competently.
  • Operates within a self-management environment but within a clear accountability framework.
  • Demonstrates a systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving.
  • Use knowledge, experience and professional judgement to make recommendations for improving existing software development policies and procedures.

Equal opportunities - Level 2

  • Demonstrates and supports fair and ethical behaviour (for example, ensures objective gathering of facts regardless of personal views or background; where required, keeps information confidential).
  • Maintains an open approach with others, whilst taking account of and having respect for, individual differences such as age, ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs, social background, disability, sexual orientation and physical appearance.
  • Proactively challenges unacceptable behaviour that is inconsistent with SEEMiS values and policies.
  • Is aware of what could be considered barriers to fair and accessible services and participates in developing initiatives to overcome these.

Customer care - Level 2-3

  • Responds to colleagues and customer needs, keeps them informed of relevant changes, distributes helpful information.
  • Ability to implement agreed improvements to services.
  • Monitors performance of individuals against established benchmarks, identifying reasons why standards are not being met (for example, ensures employees get appropriate feedback).
  • Exercises discretion and deals with confidential issues in an appropriate manner.

Co-operating with others - Level 2-3

  • Working with others to identify requirements.
  • Contributes positively to both formal and informal teams when dealing with colleagues, clients, customers and suppliers.

Working safely - Level 2

  • Ensures own work area is in good / safe condition and takes action as appropriate to reduce / minimise risks to self and others, reporting issues where necessary.
  • Undertakes any Health and Safety training relevant to them.
  • Wears protective equipment and clothing where required.
  • Keeps team informed of incidents and changing circumstances.