IT Software Engineer

IT Software Engineer
Salary: £65,000 + excellent benefits
Location: Letchworth Garden City
Hybrid working: Two days per week in the office and three days per week working from home
Contract: 1‑year fixed‑term contract
Hours: 37 per week

Are you looking to join a growing, values-led organisation with a clear social purpose?

At Lifestone Homes, we’re proud to be the largest housing group in the region, managing over 30,000 homes across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Hertfordshire.

Everything we do is about delivering excellent services, high quality homes, neighbourhoods we can be proud of and maximising number of new affordable homes we build. Through our merger we’ve brought together shared values, skills and ambition, so we can build more affordable homes and make an even bigger difference in the communities we serve

If you're ready to grow your career in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to shape stronger communities, we’d love to welcome you on our journey. Together, we’re building a better future.

About the role

We're looking for an experienced IT Software Engineer to join our Enterprise Applications & Digital Platforms team and play a key role in shaping the future of technology at Lifestone Homes.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on a major programme of integrations and software development that will help support our post‑merger transformation journey. You'll design, build and maintain software solutions that automate business processes, improve services and enhance the experience of both colleagues and residents.

Working within an established technical team, you'll develop modern applications and integrations using Microsoft technologies and cloud‑based platforms, helping us move towards a single set of core business systems.

About you

You're a hands‑on software engineer who enjoys solving complex problems and building high‑quality solutions that make a real difference.

You'll be comfortable working independently whilst collaborating closely with architects, developers, analysts and business stakeholders. You take pride in creating well‑designed, maintainable code and understand the importance of balancing good engineering practices with delivery outcomes.

You'll have experience working with modern .NET development frameworks, cloud technologies and integration platforms, and be confident working within microservice, serverless and event‑driven environments.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and deliver high‑quality software solutions to agreed timescales

• Work with colleagues across the business to understand requirements and identify opportunities for automation and process improvements

• Develop, test and maintain software solutions using Test‑Driven Development (TDD)

• Develop solutions using .NET, Microsoft SQL, Entity Framework and React technologies

• Contribute to the ongoing development of microservices and integration platforms

• Build and maintain serverless and event‑driven solutions

• Enhance and support existing internal applications and services

• Investigate, troubleshoot and resolve software issues

• Support application support and service desk teams with technical expertise

• Produce technical documentation and support effective testing, deployment and handover activities

• Contribute to integration projects that support the delivery of a unified technology platform across the organisation

• Support continuous improvement of development practices, standards and processes

Our expectations

• High‑quality software delivered to agreed timescales

• Successful delivery of integration projects supporting the organisation's post‑merger objectives

• Well‑tested, maintainable and scalable code

• Effective collaboration with technical and business teams

• Reliable and secure software solutions that support business operations

• Accurate documentation and effective change management

• Continuous improvement of applications, integrations and development practices
  
  
  
  
  

Essential skills and experience

• Experience designing, developing and delivering software solutions from user stories and technical requirements

• Strong experience with .NET Core / .NET development

• Experience using Microsoft SQL and Entity Framework

• Experience developing within microservice architectures

• Experience working with the Transactional Outbox Pattern

• Strong Test‑Driven Development (TDD) skills

• Experience building serverless and event‑driven solutions

• React or strong JavaScript, HTML and CSS development skills

• Experience with Azure DevOps and CI/CD deployment pipelines

• Experience working with Microsoft Azure services

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary technical team

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
  
  

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience working within Agile delivery environments

• Experience with Azure Functions, Azure Front Door or Kubernetes

• Understanding of CI/CD principles and automation

• Experience developing and deploying microservices

• Experience integrating multiple business platforms and applications

• Experience with data warehousing and ETL processes

• SQL Server maintenance and optimisation experience

• Experience with Azure or AWS cloud infrastructure

• Experience supporting large‑scale transformation or integration programmes

Benefits

At Lifestone Homes, we believe in creating an environment where our people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, development, finances and work-life balance.

• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days

• 30 days annual leave from day one for Head of Service, Assistant Director and Director roles

• Christmas closure in addition to your annual leave entitlement

• Option to buy up to 5 additional days of annual leave each year

• Generous pension scheme with up to 10% employer contributions

• Annual performance bonus scheme, recognising individual contributions and achievements

• Enhanced family-friendly leave, including maternity and paternity benefits

• Health Cash Plan with support for everyday healthcare costs, virtual health services, gym discounts and free cover for up to four dependent children

• Life assurance worth three times your annual salary

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential support for your mental, physical and financial wellbeing

• Flexible and hybrid working, helping you balance work and personal commitments

• £200 annual flexible benefits allowance to spend through our benefits platform

• Generous sick pay and income protection cover

• Essential car user allowance and business mileage payments for eligible roles

And that's just the beginning! We also offer:

• Salary sacrifice car leasing scheme with electric and hybrid vehicle options

• Funded training, professional qualifications and apprenticeships

• Two paid Giving Back Days each year to support local communities and charitable causes

• Up to 5 days paid carers leave

• Up to 5 days paid emergency childcare leave

• Paid professional membership or subscription (one per year)

• Peer recognition and reward programme

• Sabbatical opportunities for eligible colleagues

• Mental Health First Aiders across the organisation

• Modern office facilities, including free parking and EV charging where available

Working Hours & Additional Pay

• Hours and working pattern

• Participation in out-of-hours rota, with potential to boost base salary.

Our Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive workforce, by reflecting and representing the diversity of the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; people who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people from underrepresented groups.

Accessibility and Adjustments

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in advance of any suitable arrangements required.

Due to the nature of some of our roles involving work with vulnerable members of society, this post may be subject to a basic or enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be carried out when a conditional offer is made.

Please ensure you fully answer the questions on the application form.

Closing Date:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the closing date should we find a suitable candidate.