Associate Software Engineer

Dundee, Glasgow Job Summary Are you looking to grow your career in software engineering? Join Social Security Scotland and help build digital services that make a real difference to people's lives across Scotland. As an Associate Software Engineer, you'll work as part of a supportive and collaborative team, contributing to the development, maintenance and improvement of modern digital services. You'll have the opportunity to work with experienced engineers, learn new technologies, and develop your technical skills through hands-on experience, coaching and mentoring. This is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their software engineering career who is keen to learn, solve problems and build high-quality digital solutions. You'll be supported to develop your knowledge across software development, testing, security, user-centred design and modern engineering practices, while gaining valuable experience working within a large public sector organisation. At Social Security Scotland, continuous learning and professional development are encouraged. You'll have access to training, development opportunities and a clear pathway to progress your career within the Digital Profession. Whether you're building on existing experience or taking the next step in your career, you'll be part of a team that values collaboration, innovation and personal growth. Together, we deliver digital services that are secure, accessible and user-focused, helping provide vital support to people across Scotland. An Associate Software Engineer learns on the job by delivering software components. At This Role Level, You Will: develop skills while working under supervision to deliver stories in a multidisciplinary team understand and be proficient in different types of testing be aware of but not responsible for security GDD Pay Supplement This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £6,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly. Responsibilities Job description Support the development, testing, maintenance and improvement of software applications, services and infrastructure. Assist in designing, building and documenting software components, programs and scripts, following established standards and guidance. Work from user stories and requirements to help deliver solutions that meet user needs and improve user experience. Contribute to system integration activities, including building and testing interfaces between systems. Help identify, investigate and resolve software faults and technical issues using agreed processes and procedures. Support the delivery of secure solutions by following information security requirements and applying security controls. Assist with maintaining service availability, reliability and performance to ensure systems can meet expected demand. Use prototyping techniques to explore ideas, test solutions and support development activities.Collaborate with colleagues and wider project teams to contribute to the design and delivery of larger systems. Apply modern software engineering standards, tools and practices, with support and guidance from experienced team members. Responsibilities Support the development, testing, maintenance and improvement of software applications, services and infrastructure. Assist in designing, building and documenting software components, programs and scripts, following established standards and guidance. Work from user stories and requirements to help deliver solutions that meet user needs and improve user experience. Contribute to system integration activities, including building and testing interfaces between systems. Help identify, investigate and resolve software faults and technical issues using agreed processes and procedures. Support the delivery of secure solutions by following information security requirements and applying security controls. Assist with maintaining service availability, reliability and performance to ensure systems can meet expected demand. Use prototyping techniques to explore ideas, test solutions and support development activities.Collaborate with colleagues and wider project teams to contribute to the design and delivery of larger systems. Apply modern software engineering standards, tools and practices, with support and guidance from experienced team members. Person specification Success Profiles  We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here. For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed: Experience: Experience of contributing to the development of low-complexity software components and working collaboratively as part of a wider team to deliver larger solutions. Understanding of core Modern JavaScript Framework and/or AEM concepts, with the ability to deliver straightforward development tasks and user stories, seeking feedback and guidance where needed. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing (Level 2)Working Together (Level 2) You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here: Technical / Professional Skills: This role is aligned to Junior Developer within the Government Digital and Data Profession. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations Software Developer - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Annual Leave - You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you've worked can be taken as leave when suitable. A Civil Service Pension - This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here - www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk. Healthy work life balance - We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working. Discounts - You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme. Personal support for you - Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7. Volunteering special leave - Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them. Great locations - Our bright and modern offices in the heart of Dundee and Glasgow have been designed with staff in mind. Both locations are ideal for public transport. 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 Expected Timeline (subject to change) Sift - week commencing 5th October 2026 Interview – week commencing 19th October 2026 Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow To apply please submit an application form by clicking on the ‘Apply at Advertisers Site’ button. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check. 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 nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish 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 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. 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). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact : Name : Resourcing TeamEmail : recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scotTelephone : 08001577194 Recruitment team Email : Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot Further information https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/help-with-your-application