Senior Developer (Java) - Bristol Regional Centre - 3 Glass Wharf

Senior Developer (Java) - Bristol Regional Centre - 3 Glass Wharf

About the job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC accessible to you.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

At HMRC, we are already one of the most digital organisations in the UK. We have one of the largest data sources, and we're creating a world-class IT function.

HMRC is building a modern, digital tax administration.

With 50 million customers to serve, over 60 thousand colleagues to support, and 600 billion to collect to fund UK Plc, our IT operation is huge. Operating at this level isn't for everyone, but those ready for the challenge will find unique opportunities to work with advanced technologies and create lasting impact.

Chief Digital and Information Office (CDIO) set the technology direction for HMRC and deliver the high-level design for all IT solutions.

We are responsible for building and running HMRC IT services along with providing IT change and operational support.

The Borders and Trade Delivery Group are responsible for the end-to-end service management and development of over 140 separate services, from the generation of Trade Statistics to the administration of Customs and Excise duties.

This is an exciting role as a key member of the delivery team, collaborating with partners throughout the full delivery lifecycle to ensure delivery and support of highest-quality software products.

Our developers work closely with business analysts, testers and product owners within a truly collaborative environment.

Job description

As a Senior Java Developer within the Java Development Guild in CDIO Borders & Trade, you will be responsible for leading the design and development of clean, secure code following a test-driven approach, as well as maintenance and continuous improvement of Java-based services and applications across both legacy and modern platforms.

This role spans the full service lifecycle, from greenfield development and service transition to support and enhancement of live services, security updates and defect resolution. It also provides senior-level technical leadership across projects and live support work, acting as a system subject matter expert and as an Intelligent Client on internal and supplier-led deliveries.

In addition to hands-on development responsibilities, the Senior Java Developer plays a key role in setting technical direction, upholding engineering standards, mentoring and line managing junior developers, and ensuring services are secure, robust, supportable and aligned to business needs.

Person specification

The Senior Java Developer role requires a strong combination of advanced technical expertise, leadership capability, service support knowledge and stakeholder management skills.

This role will suit an experienced Java Developer who is proactive and self-driven, able to anticipate risks and opportunities, take ownership of outcomes, and drive progress while maintaining high standards for quality, security and operational performance.

• Proactive and self-driven: spots issues early, initiates improvements, and follows through without needing close supervision.
• Strategic thinker with strong technical judgement: able to balance delivery speed, risk, cost and long-term maintainability.
• Coaching mindset: mentors more junior engineers and promotes knowledge sharing.
• Quality and security focused: advocates for clean code, test-driven development, secure-by-design principles and strong assurance practices.
• Collaborative communicator: works effectively with product, architecture, operations and delivery partners, translating between technical and non-technical audiences.
• Resilient under pressure: acts as a calm escalation point during incidents and high-risk decisions, staying focused on outcomes and learning.

Key responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Senior Java Developer role across design, development, maintenance and support of complex full stack Java applications and services include:

• Designing secure, scalable, resilient and supportable solutions with strong engineering controls and practices.
• Writing, reviewing, and assuring clean, reusable, testable and secure code, using TDD and quality-focused development practices.
• Supporting systems integration, interface design and testing across multiple systems and environments.
• Supporting live services through a combination of normal, and out of hours support.

  Working on incident resolution, bug fixing, security updates, service improvements, diagnosing integration issues across a complex landscape.

• Leading or contributing to code reviews, design reviews, technical assurance and development governance and ensuring development and support activity is documented and delivered in line with agreed governance, standards, controls and policies.
• Acting as a technical Subject Matter Expert and collaborating with architects, business analysts, testers, delivery managers, product owners and other disciplines throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Providing Intelligent Client capability on supplier-led and mixed-delivery projects, ensuring alignment with HMRC standards, quality and security requirements. This includes managing knowledge transfer from suppliers and contractors into internal teams.
• Continuous improvement of engineering practices, tools, processes, standards and service robustness.
• Guild Leadership including Recruitment (workforce planning and training needs) and Staff development (Mentoring, coaching and line managing junior developers, supporting wider capability growth.)

Additionally, the post holder will work normal office hours though may be required to occasionally work outside of normal working hours (for example to support software releases). The post holder will be required to form part of a 24/7 on-call Rota involving out of hours remote support.

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience designing, developing, supporting and maintaining complex Java-based services and applications across both legacy and modern technology stacks in complex environments.
• Strong experience building APIs, microservices and integrated services using Java, REST, Spring Boot/Cloud, Redis, Hibernate, with experience of Kubernetes and Docker, messaging technologies such as JMS, Kafka or RabbitMQ, and cloud-native platforms including AWS, S3, EKS.
• Experience using modern CI/CD tooling (e.g.

  Java IDEs, Maven, Git, GitLab CI, Artifactory, Jenkins) and databases (incl. MySQL and Oracle,) with the ability to write and support SQL, PL/SQL, triggers and stored procedures.

• Strong experience leading full stack development in a team environment including; technical leadership through software engineering best practices (e.g. containerisation, microservice design patterns, Agile, TDD, CI/CD, code quality, maintainability and secure development), setting direction, conducting reviews and assuring quality.
• Experience supporting and improving live services, including fault diagnosis, bug fixing, operational support.
• Strong understanding of system integration, interface design, and integration testing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a logical and organised approach to delivery, and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience mentoring, coaching or line managing others, including supporting the development of junior staff.
• Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and supplier environments while maintaining internal standards and controls.

Desirable Criteria

• Awareness of cloud service models, cloud-native architecture and infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Working knowledge of Linux or other Unix-like operating systems.
• Understanding of Behaviour Driven Development, user-centred design and service delivery principles.
• Experience with JavaScript or TypeScript UI development, including React and Single Sign-On integrations.
• Experience working on large-scale government, public sector or regulated services where security, resilience and auditability are important.
• Awareness of how generative AI tools can support software engineering practices, including development, testing, documentation or code quality activities.

Further Location Information

Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a 'Further Location Preferences (optional)' field within the application form, will not be considered.

Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.

Office Closures

If your location preference is the following site, it's important to note that this is not long-term site for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations (opens in a new window)

This site is:

• Telford Plaza, Telford - moving to Parkside Court, Telford.

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Location

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes 13,194 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).

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences. Your CV should cover up to a maximum of your last 3 roles.

  The word limit for each role is 100 words. You should outline the key responsibilities and any significant achievements.

• A 750-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the Essential Criteria and Person Specification outlined in the advert.

Please evidence any Desirable Criteria where applicable (up to 250 words max).

This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy holder where candidates have the same score at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Prior to applications being sifted candidates will be asked to complete an additional IKM assessment. Candidates will be sent details of the assessment once the advert has closed. This assessment is a pass or fail and only those who pass will be considered at the sift stage.

Sift

At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, your Experience will be assessed in the form of Experience based questions, and you will be asked Behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of.

Interviews will take place via video link.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: [email protected] - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - (insert vacancy ref) & vacancy closing date (insert date)'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

Sponsorship

We have assessed this role against both Home Office and HMRC criteria and we are unable to offer sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa.

This means the vacancy is not open to applicants who require visa sponsorship.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office.

Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact the UBS Recruitment team via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our 'help' section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Additional Security Information

Please note in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application.

If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need.

Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued.

Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).