Software Developer (Lead)

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

Are you a senior software developer looking for a new opportunity? Now is a fantastic time to continue to build your career in our exciting, creative and world-class software development team. If you want to learn, lead and help others do the same and be part of delivering public service that makes a real difference, HMRC is a great place to do that.

HMRC is replacing legacy applications with SaaS and PaaS cloud services. We need lead developers with strong experience of supporting legacy systems who can follow the technical direction set by the technical architect and add value through hands‑on software development. You must also understand Business Developed Applications (BDApps) and how these fit within the wider enterprise technology stack.

Job description

This is a challenging role for those looking to deliver technological change during a period of organisational transformation. It offers the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives by delivering high-quality digital products.

As a Lead Developer in HMRC, you will be a skilled practitioner and a role model in software craftsmanship. Responsible for building elegant, accessible and scalable BDApps that meet user needs and exceed expectations.

You will be responsible for ensuring best practices are adhered to across the department and guiding teams on how to deliver quality software products. You will lead the granular design of software products informed by architecture and engineering principles. With a focus on operational stability, robustness, resilience, availability and quality you will be accountable for the code you and your team produces.

You will have expert level knowledge of C#, .NET and web development stacks, web standards, user experience, progressive enhancement, performance, accessibility, browser compatibility, tooling and pipelines.

Person specification

As a Lead Developer you will turn the technical direction set by the Technical Architect into clear and deliverable designs, and lead a group of developers to build secure and accessible software that meets HMRC standards. You will take ownership of delivery through the full software development lifecycle and ensure the team works at pace to meet agreed outcomes. You will set expectations with stakeholders, identify risks early, and make sure the product remains aligned to the technical blueprint.

You will provide strong technical leadership by writing high quality software, guiding developers through complex work, and promoting consistent engineering practices. You will invest in your own learning and support the growth of others and you will help HMRC move from legacy systems to modern web, microservice and cloud based solutions. You will apply a sound understanding of Business Developed Applications and their role in HMRC’s wider technology landscape to ensure each solution is stable, maintainable and aligned with organisational needs.

- Lead the design, development and delivery of BDApp products using the blueprint set by the Technical Architect.

- Provide hands on development and ensure all solutions meet security, accessibility and coding standards.

- Set direction for the development team day today and model effective Leadership behaviours.

- Work with stakeholders to clarify scope, manage expectations and maintain a steady delivery pace.

- Mentor developers and support skills growth in line with Developing Self and Others.

- Identify risks or deviations from design principles and act quickly to keep delivery on track.

- Produce clear documentation and work with support teams to resolve complex issues.

Illustrative Technical Skills

- Strong experience of delivering software across the full software development lifecycle.

- Skilled in C# or another high level programming language.

- Experience of web, API, microservice or cloud based development.

- Understanding of Business Developed Applications and how they sit within HMRC’s technology stack.

- Ability to design and maintain detailed test scripts and support technical and user acceptance testing.

- Experience of modern development tooling including automation, robotics or low/no code where appropriate.

- Ability to produce clear technical documentation and support transition of products into live operations.

Essential Criteria:

- Proven experience leading the design, development and delivery of software products across the full software development lifecycle, translating architectural direction into working solutions delivered by a development team.

- Significant hands on experience developing in a high level programming language such as C# or Java, with practical experience of modern frameworks and technologies including .NET, Blazor, web front ends and service based architectures.

- Strong understanding of software engineering principles and practices, including SOLID principles, test driven development, and common design patterns such as MVC or MVVM, with the ability to apply these consistently across a team.

- Experience working with data persistence technologies, including relational and non relational databases, ORM tools such as Entity Framework, and an understanding of data integrity, performance and security considerations.

- Good knowledge of modern application architectures, including web applications, APIs, microservices and containerised solutions and experience supporting the transition from legacy systems to cloud based services.

- Demonstrable ability to lead and support developers, providing task leadership, mentoring and coaching, sharing knowledge and best practice, and contributing to the development of others through constructive feedback and code review.

- Experience delivering software at pace in an agile environment, managing competing priorities, identifying risks early, and adapting plans to maintain delivery while protecting quality and standards.

- Strong awareness of security and accessibility requirements, including WCAG standards, and experience ensuring solutions meet HMRC policies for data protection, security testing and inclusive design.

- Ability to communicate clearly with technical and nontechnical stakeholders, explaining design decisions, progress, risks and issues, and providing assurance through demonstrations, documentation and evidence based updates.

- Experience supporting live services, including providing senior technical input to incident resolution, supporting 3rd line issues where required, and working with support teams to improve resilience and reduce operational risk.

Desirable Criteria:

- Experience working alongside Technical Architects or enterprise design authorities, contributing to solution design reviews and translating architectural blueprints into effective delivery plans.

- Experience supporting large‑scale legacy estates, including modernisation, migration or rationalisation activities, and managing technical risk during transition to SaaS or PaaS solutions.

- Experience of influencing engineering practice beyond an immediate team, for example through communities of practice, shared tooling, coding standards or cross‑programme collaboration.

- Previous line management experience.

Additional Security Information

Please note: Security Check (SC) clearance level, either already held or willing to obtain, is a requirement of this role. Please see Additional Security Information and Security sections below.

Transitional Sites

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it’s important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Trinity Bridge House, Manchester - moving to an alternative office in Manchester/ Salford

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage

Leeds Locations

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC’s Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Alternative Job contact:

For more information please contact:

• Name : Andy Blaber
• Email :andy.blaber@hmrc.gov.uk

Technical skills

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

• Technical Questions and presentation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil Service

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 Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV including your job history. Please limit the job history to no more than 200 words per role.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should be used to describe how your skills and experience would be suitable for the advertised role, making reference to the essential criteria and person specification outlined in the advert.

Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed to explore in detail what you are capable of. You will also be asked technical questions and presentation.

Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Technical Support

If you are experiencing problems that cannot be resolved by our ‘help’ section, then technical support is available. You will receive a reply in 2 working days.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the ‘location preferences’ section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (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.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals 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 2020
• Turkish 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 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 : Elaine Brawley
• Email : elaine.brawley@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.