Associate Software Engineer (4779)

Job summary

Are you looking to grow your career in software engineering? Join Social Security Scotland and help build digital services that make a real difference to people's lives across Scotland.

As an Associate Software Engineer, you'll work as part of a supportive and collaborative team, contributing to the development, maintenance and improvement of modern digital services. You'll have the opportunity to work with experienced engineers, learn new technologies, and develop your technical skills through hands-on experience, coaching and mentoring.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their software engineering career who is keen to learn, solve problems and build high-quality digital solutions. You'll be supported to develop your knowledge across software development, testing, security, user-centred design and modern engineering practices, while gaining valuable experience working within a large public sector organisation.

At Social Security Scotland, continuous learning and professional development are encouraged. You'll have access to training, development opportunities and a clear pathway to progress your career within the Digital Profession. Whether you're building on existing experience or taking the next step in your career, you'll be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation and personal growth.

Together, we deliver digital services that are secure, accessible and user-focused, helping provide vital support to people across Scotland.

An Associate Software Engineer learns on the job by delivering software components.

At this role level, you will:

• develop skills while working under supervision to deliver stories in a multidisciplinary team
• understand and be proficient in different types of testing
• be aware of but not responsible for security

GDD Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £6,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Support the development, testing, maintenance and improvement of software applications, services and infrastructure.

• Assist in designing, building and documenting software components, programs and scripts, following established standards and guidance.

• Work from user stories and requirements to help deliver solutions that meet user needs and improve user experience.

• Contribute to system integration activities, including building and testing interfaces between systems.

• Help identify, investigate and resolve software faults and technical issues using agreed processes and procedures.

• Support the delivery of secure solutions by following information security requirements and applying security controls.

• Assist with maintaining service availability, reliability and performance to ensure systems can meet expected demand.

• Use prototyping techniques to explore ideas, test solutions and support development activities.

• Collaborate with colleagues and wider project teams to contribute to the design and delivery of larger systems.

• Apply modern software engineering standards, tools and practices, with support and guidance from experienced team members.

Person specification

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience:

1. Experience of contributing to the development of low-complexity software components and working collaboratively as part of a wider team to deliver larger solutions.

2. Understanding of core Modern JavaScript Framework and/or AEM concepts, with the ability to deliver straightforward development tasks and user stories, seeking feedback and guidance where needed.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing (Level 2)

• Working Together (Level 2)
  

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here:

Technical / Professional Skills:

This role is aligned to Junior Developer within the Government Digital and Data Profession.

Please review the following to understand the skill expectations Software Developer - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage.

Benefits

Annual Leave - You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you've worked can be taken as leave when suitable.

A Civil Service Pension - This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here - www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk.

Healthy work life balance - We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working.

Discounts - You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme.

Personal support for you - Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7.

Volunteering special leave - Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them.

Great locations - Our bright and modern offices in the heart of Dundee and Glasgow have been designed with staff in mind. Both locations are ideal for public transport.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift - week commencing 5th October 2026
Interview – week commencing 19th October 2026
Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

To apply please submit an application form by clicking on the ‘Apply at Advertisers Site’ button.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent)