Java Software Engineer

Application Developer – Java & Web Technologies

Location: Remote within the UK, with occasional travel to client and IBM offices

Length: initial 12 month contract

Rate: up to £450/day Umbrella

Security Requirement: Applicants must have lived continuously in the UK for the last 5 years

Our client is working with a government organisation, supporting the modernisation of applications that form part of the UK's Critical National Infrastructure and enable the payment of over £150 billion in benefits annually.

As part of this major transformation, legacy applications are being re-factored and migrated from traditional on-premise environments using COBOL, C++ and Java into modern, cloud-based solutions built on Java, AWS, and microservices architecture.

We're looking for an Application Developer to join a large-scale delivery team and play a key role in designing, building, and assuring application changes that will support the successful migration and modernisation of critical DWP services.

The Role

As an Application Developer, you will work closely with IBM delivery teams, DWP stakeholders, and a wider programme team to develop and enhance business-critical applications.

You will contribute across the full software development lifecycle, helping to design, develop, test, and support application components while ensuring quality, scalability, and maintainability throughout the migration process.

Key Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain Java-based application components

Support the refactoring and migration of legacy applications to modern cloud-based architectures

Work collaboratively with IBM and DWP teams to deliver programme objectives

Develop and support RESTful services and web-based applications

Contribute to technical design discussions and solution implementation

Ensure code quality through testing, peer reviews, and assurance activities

Participate in Agile delivery ceremonies and continuous improvement initiatives

Support deployment, troubleshooting, and production issue resolution where required

Maintain technical documentation and development standards

Essential Skills & Experience

Strong commercial experience with Java and Spring Framework

Experience working in UNIX/Linux environments

Strong SQL development and database experience

Experience using GitLab for source control and CI/CD activities

Knowledge of software engineering best practices and secure coding principles

Experience working within Agile delivery environments

Strong problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills

Desirable Skills

Experience with AWS cloud technologies

Understanding of microservices architecture

Experience modernising or migrating legacy applications

Exposure to DevOps tooling and automated deployment pipelines

Experience working on large-scale public sector or enterprise transformation programmes