Senior Officer, Technical Equipment Interference (TEI) Software Engineering

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in Technical Operations within the National Crime Agency (NCA).

As a Senior Officer, Technical Equipment Interference (TEI) Software Engineering, you will operate within a specialist team delivering direct support to complex, technically demanding operations. Working in a fast-paced environment alongside a range of Technical Officers, you will play a key role in enabling the successful delivery of operational taskings.

This role centres on the hands-on design, testing, and implementation of innovative software technical solutions to address real-world operational challenges. You will analyse data derived from technical capabilities to identify gaps, vulnerabilities, and emerging opportunities, applying your software engineering expertise to develop and deploy effective solutions that enhance operational capability.

Job description

As part of the TEI Development Team, you will contribute to shaping and delivering tactical technical responses in support of some of the UK’s most serious and complex operations. Your work will directly influence the effectiveness of operational outcomes by ensuring innovative and resilient technical software solutions are developed and deployed at pace.

Working closely with the Technical Operations TEI Team, you will provide end-to-end support across the lifecycle of operations - from initial requirements gathering and solution design through to deployment, optimisation and ongoing support. You will ensure that deployed capabilities remain effective, adaptable and aligned to evolving operational objectives, while also assessing and refining deployment mechanisms to maximise impact and reliability.

In addition, you will collaborate with Law Enforcement and Intelligence partners to identify emerging threats, trends and capability gaps. By maintaining a strong awareness of technological advancements, you will help ensure the NCA remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously adapting its technical software capabilities to respond to a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Prior experience in the TEI environment is not required, as the successful candidate will receive full training and support to develop the necessary TEI knowledge and skills.

Due to the nature of the role, the postholder will be required to travel regularly to the Leicester office if based in Gillingham or Bristol, and occasionally to other NCA sites and operational locations. Some locations may not be easily accessible by public transport. Applicants must therefore hold a valid driving licence (UK or international) that permits them to drive a car in the UK, or be willing to obtain one within 12 months of commencing in the role.

Please be aware that candidates who progress beyond the application sift will be required to attend an in-person interview at our head office in Stratford, London.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Technical Delivery & Capability Development - Design, research, and deliver software and hardware solutions compliant with TEI legislation to address operational capability gaps. Provide direct technical support to the Technical Operations TEI team, enabling effective delivery of operational taskings. Ensure solutions remain aligned to operational requirements, adapting to evolving threats and deployment challenges.

Technical Analysis, Research & Innovation - Conduct detailed research into TEI threats, technologies, and methodologies to identify current and emerging capability gaps. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base, including a structured research library, and produce regular intelligence and capability reports. Evaluate targeted security and TEI equipment, producing comprehensive technical assessments and recommendations.

Operational Support & Knowledge Sharing - Provide expert technical advice and guidance across the organisation to support the effective research, collection, analysis, exploitation, and sharing of TEI intelligence. Support the rollout and integration of TEI knowledge across Technical Operations and wider Intelligence functions.

Training & Capability Uplift - Deliver upskilling to TEI Operational Officers through structured training, technical documentation, and practical demonstrations. Produce clear, detailed user instructions for both internally developed and commercially acquired equipment and capabilities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration - Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners, including Law Enforcement, intelligence agencies, academia, and industry. Represent Technical Operations at national and international forums within the TEI domain, contributing to collaboration and knowledge exchange. Engage with external stakeholders through visits, industry events, and trade shows to identify emerging technologies and opportunities.

Leadership & Staff Development - Manage, coach and develop junior staff, including potential line management responsibilities for junior Officers. Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment, supporting professional and technical development.

Person specification

Technical Expertise & Software Engineering - Demonstrable experience as a competent software engineer, with the ability to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Strong understanding of IT systems, tools, and technologies relevant to technical processes, with the ability to rapidly adapt to new platforms and methodologies.

Analytical Thinking & Data Exploitation - Proven ability to research, interpret, and analyse data from both open and closed sources to inform and enhance software solutions. Capable of translating complex data into actionable insights to address operational challenges and capability gaps.

Problem Solving & Innovation - Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex, real-world operational problems in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrates sound judgement when working with incomplete or time-sensitive information.

Delivery & Project Management - Ability to deliver end-to-end technical projects, from concept through to implementation and evaluation. Highly organised, with the capability to manage and prioritise multiple workstreams effectively while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.

Communication & Influence - Communicates complex technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, using a range of written and verbal methods. Able to influence stakeholders and support decision-making through well-articulated recommendations and briefings.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management - Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners, supporting collaborative delivery of objectives. Understands stakeholder needs and balances these with operational priorities to achieve effective outcomes.

Teamwork & Collaboration - Works collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to shared goals and supporting collective success over individual outcomes. Actively contributes to a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.

Time Management & Personal Effectiveness - Effectively manages workload, prioritising competing demands and escalating risks or issues as appropriate. Consistently delivers work to a high standard within agreed timelines in a dynamic operational environment.

Learning & Continuous Development - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies, threats, and best practice within a software development environment. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.

Licences

Candidates must hold a full UK or international driving licence that permits them to drive a car in the UK, or be committed to obtaining a valid licence within 12 months of starting the role.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

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

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and practical experience in, one or more modern programming languages (e.g. C, C#, Python, Java, ECMAScript 6), and familiarity with relevant development tools and frameworks (e.g. Akka, Bamboo).
• Strong working knowledge of one or more desktop or mobile operating systems (e.g. Android, iOS, Linux, Windows), with the ability to apply this understanding in a technical or operational context.
• Demonstrated ability to research, design and develop software solutions, applying innovative thinking and technical expertise to address complex problems and improve operational outcomes.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £45,326, National Crime Agency contributes £13,130 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).

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

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, Experience and Technical skills.Your application will be assessed against the following:Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and practical experience in, one or more modern programming languages (e.g. C, C#, Python, Java, ECMAScript 6), and familiarity with relevant development tools and frameworks (e.g. Akka, Bamboo).

• Strong working knowledge of one or more desktop or mobile operating systems (e.g. Android, iOS, Linux, Windows), with the ability to apply this understanding in a technical or operational context.

• Demonstrated ability to research, design and develop software solutions, applying innovative thinking and technical expertise to address complex problems and improve operational outcomes.

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within your CV are as follows: Please submit an up-to-date CV that clearly demonstrates how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements outlined in the person specification, including where you meet the desirable criteria if applicable. Your CV must include your relevant employment history, along with any applicable qualifications, accreditations or professional training. Your CV must account for any gaps in employment over the past two years.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Demonstrated knowledge of, and practical experience in, one or more modern programming languages (e.g. C, C#, Python, Java, ECMAScript 6), and familiarity with relevant development tools and frameworks (e.g. Akka, Bamboo). .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Working Together

• Changing and Improving

Technical

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and practical experience in, one or more modern programming languages (e.g. C, C#, Python, Java, ECMAScript 6), and familiarity with relevant development tools and frameworks (e.g. Akka, Bamboo).

• Strong working knowledge of one or more desktop or mobile operating systems (e.g. Android, iOS, Linux, Windows), with the ability to apply this understanding in a technical or operational context.

• Demonstrated ability to research, design and develop software solutions, applying innovative thinking and technical expertise to address complex problems and improve operational outcomes.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference). If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.