Software Engineer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer

Grade UE07: £41,064 - £48,822 per annum, pro rata if part-time

Information Services Group / DCC and EDINA

Full-time: 35 hours per week

Open-ended (permanent)

ELM is the University of Edinburgh’s secure gateway to generative artificial intelligence, providing safer access to Large Language Models for the University and wider UK tertiary education sector. We are looking for a skilled and collaborative Software Engineer to help design, build, test and support the ELM platform as it develops into a reliable, secure and accessible AI innovation service for education.

You will join the ELM software engineering team within DCC and EDINA, contributing across the full software development life cycle. The role involves engineering and maintaining full-stack features using Java, the Java Spring Framework, Type Script and Angular, alongside database, API, integration and deployment work. You will work with colleagues across product, service, testing, systems administration, security and support teams to deliver robust and user-focused functionality.

This is an opportunity to work on a high-profile platform at the intersection of software engineering, education and responsible use of generative AI. You will contribute to the continued development of ELM as a trusted service, helping institutions and users access AI tools in a safer, more managed and effective way.

The role will suit a software engineer with strong practical experience in modern web application development, relational databases, containerised deployment and continuous integration / continuous deployment practices. You should be comfortable working collaboratively in an agile or iterative environment and able to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues.

• Substantial hands‑on experience engineering software using Java and the Java Spring Framework, including Spring Boot or equivalent Spring technologies.
• Practical experience developing web applications using Type Script and Angular.
• Experience working with relational databases and SQL, including schema changes, queries, data integrity and troubleshooting.
• Experience building or working with RESTful APIs and software integrations.
• Experience using Docker, Kubernetes and containerised deployment approaches.
• Experience with continuous integration and deployment pipelines, automated builds, automated testing and Git-based workflows.
• Understanding of software testing, code review, secure coding, maintainability and technical documentation.
• Experience working in an agile, iterative or collaborative software delivery environment.
• Working knowledge of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and good general knowledge of coding for accessibility.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues.

• Experience with additional programming languages such as Python or Ruby.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud.
• Experience with micro services, messaging, event‑driven systems or API gateways.
• Experience supporting production services or working within ITIL‑style support processes.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers or contributing to team standards.
• Experience in higher education, research, public sector or other complex organisational environments.
• Experience integrating with AI/LLM platforms, model provider APIs, authentication systems or usage‑monitoring services.
• Awareness of data protection, privacy, security and responsible‑use considerations relevant to generative AI services.

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative,…