Software Developer

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Software Developer

Milton Keynes

£48,000 - £53,000

Hybrid Working

Are you an experienced .NET Software Developer looking to work somewhere with real purpose?

Do you need a role where the challenge is real, but so is the support from your manager and colleagues?

Would you like to join our development teams as we embark on a long-term strategy that will deliver the future of exam marking?

Our development team is central to delivering our industry-leading products, with each developer playing a key role within a strong team culture. We listen to your ideas and invest in developing your skills.

You are someone who is passionate about software engineering disciplines, code quality, and ultimately delivering great software.

Ultimately this role is to:

• Work within a team using an agile approach to development, actively participating in SCRUM ceremonies, peer reviews, and collaborating with Business Analysts, Architects, and Quality Control.
• Manage implementation through effective breakdown into tasks, estimates, and timely updates in Azure DevOps.

What’s in it for you:

At AQA, we recognize our employees' contributions and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package, which includes:

• 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure.
• Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
• 35 hour working week.
• Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution).
• Life assurance, BUPA PMI, and Health Cash Plan.
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme.

What next?

If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!

Closing date is Sunday 13th October 2024; we are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.

#PRO22

Full Job Description

Summary

The Software Developer is responsible for developing, building, and supporting applications that enable AQA to offer the very best in e-Assessment software and services. They have specialist knowledge of developing in Microsoft .NET with Azure and SQL Server and will have skills in delivering both windows and web-based applications.

They need to be innovators and great problem solvers who thrive within a strong team culture. As part of our continuous improvement program, Software Developers will suggest system and process improvements, whilst taking a risk-based approach to system changes in an ITIL environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain specialist knowledge with the Microsoft .NET technology stack.
• Be responsible for the development and delivery of the project sprint goals through effective breakdown of tasks, estimates, and timely updates in Azure DevOps.
• Work with Business Analysts, Architects, and QC to produce quality code with good unit test coverage.
• Complete all changes identified at code review or functional testing, first time.
• Take ownership of defects in coded areas and resolve these before Sprint completion.
• Participate in SCRUMs, Retrospectives, and Peer reviews.
• Support production use of systems through customer fixes, including on-call and some out of hours support.

Quality Framework:

• Adhere to documented company and departmental quality procedures, standards, and methods.
• Help to evolve the documented departmental procedures and methods.
• Create efficiency in development through promoting continuous process improvement.

Team Working:

• Work closely with other team members, e.g. peer programming and code reviews.
• Report progress and provide regular feedback to the Development Team Leader and team members.

Other Responsibilities:

• Participate in risk management and information security procedures.
• Ensure professional knowledge and job skills are always fully up to date.

To be successful in this role, you will need to have:

• Excellent knowledge of .NET, C#, and SQL with good working knowledge of development principles.
• Experience of Entity Framework, UI Frameworks (e.g., Bootstrap), Web Services & REST API Development, React, Typescript, and GIT is desirable.
• Azure development experience is beneficial but not essential.
• Proven experience of implementing design patterns.
• Experience of delivering code effectively within an Agile environment.
• Experience of Unit Testing with NUnit / XUnit / MS Test.
• Experience of Unit Testing Mocking frameworks (e.g., Moq / Rhino Mocks).
• Commercial development experience with .NET and Microsoft SQL Server.
• Confidence in delivering key information and team collaboration in Scrum ceremonies and events.
• Confidence to speak out, challenge, and bring continuous improvements to the development team.