Software Developer

Job summary

We are MHCLG

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is supporting the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) on the development of ALIGN - the government’s national infrastructure spatial tool: a single digital platform that brings together strategies, data, models and tools, including AI, to identify local infrastructure needs (energy, water and wastewater, transport, flood risk, digital telecoms) for housing, industrial growth and land use scenarios.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to join a high performing team, co-located in MHCLG and NISTA, that comprises of data scientists, developers and economists. Our aim is to strengthen the local evidence base for the 10- Year Infrastructure Strategy and improve the way in which key decisions on place-based infrastructure investments are informed by spatial data, analysis and evidence. Our work is directly supporting the government’s growth mission, the delivery of 1.5 million homes and planning reform objectives.

As a SEO Software Developer, you will support on further developing the spatial tool, including front-end and back-end development of the main application and interactive data stories built mainly in JavaScript and Svelte, using the best available technologies. You will work closely with colleagues in NISTA, MHCLG, No10, other government departments, regulators, industry and academia. You will also be expected to collaborate with and support MHCLG teams working on the Digital Planning and New Towns programmes.

Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.

Job description

As a Software Developer, you’ll:

• Build, develop and maintain front-end and back-end interfaces for the ALIGN tool, designing and consuming APIs, using JavaScript, including components such as Svelte, MapLibre, React, taking responsibility for the quality of code you produce. This includes working across different technology stacks and development environments. You will also have opportunities to integrate AI in the solutions
• Design, create, test and document frontend and back-end solutions of high complexity, including rapid prototypes and databases, using agreed specifications and designs following modern standards and tools. You’ll manage and document technical complexity to make sure work is easily maintained and reusable, often within an existing Gov.uk design system
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Delivery Managers, User Researchers and Designers to understand the product users and their needs
• Implement toolkits and APIs for purposes such as integration, performance optimisation, security and scalability
• Keep an open mind and explore innovative ways to solve problems, working in a failfast fashion to provide required functionality
• Proactively investigate problems and opportunities in existing processes, evaluating and communicating findings and recommendations to stakeholders

Person specification

As a Software Developer, you’ll have:

• Experience in building robust and accessible front-end interfaces, with detailed knowledge of plain HTML, CSS and JavaScript – this ideally includes experience in Python, Svelte and geographic data visualisation libraries such as MapLibre, Deck.gl and other dynamic JavaScript components
• Experience in working in a modern backend language
• Experience working with databases, such as Databricks and SQL Server, designing and consuming RESTful APIs
• Experience with cloud platforms, such as AWS and Azure, and CI/CD pipelines
• The ability to quickly research and learn new programming tools, techniques and languages
• An understanding of software design principles – this ideally includes an understanding of the Government Service Standard
• Experience in coding best practice – structuring, commenting and documenting code, developing and deploying reusable components, incorporating tests, validation and error handling, use of GitHub
• Experience of working in agile and lean teams

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £48,501, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £14,050 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.

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

Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:

Ability , Behaviours , Experience , Technical

Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.

Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.

Important: Your CV and Cover Letter must be merged into a single document before uploading.

Stage 1: Sift (CV & Cover Letter)

Experience & Technical: Your covering letter should be no more than 1 page referencing how you meet the criteria set out in the job description.

Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.<