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Lead Software Developer

National Health Service

AnyDorchester
Any
Posted by National Health Service

Job Description

Job summaryTurning
data, analytics & data science into high-quality digital products that make a
difference. Design & build
intuitive, secure & scalable data products transforming complex data & analytical capabilities into tools that people
can easily access & use in their day to day work. Bring together software engineering, data & user-centred design, work closely with data scientists, analysts,
BI specialists & operational teams to create the applications & digital
experiences to bring data & insight to life. Includes interactive
data products, decision-support tools, workflow applications & other digital
services. Will lead engineering of products from discovery &
prototyping to production, creating modern applications, APIs, services
& integrations that connect users with data & analytical
capabilities. Will champion modern software
engineering & product development practices, helping establish reusable
approaches, development standards & platforms that enable new data products
to move from concept to production efficiently & safely. Explore & evaluate the responsible use of AI-assisted coding & development
tools to improve, code quality & pace of delivery,
as well as opportunities to integrate appropriate AI capabilities into digital
& data products where they provide clear value to users. Ensure
solutions are robust, maintainable & secure by design, meeting governance, cyber security & accessibility standards.Main duties of the jobLead design & development of user-centred products, turning data, analytics & data science into intuitive digital tools. Develop applications, building robust backend
services, APIs & accessible front end experiences making complex data &
analytical easier. Work with data scientists, analysts, engineers & op teams to take ideas & analytical capabilities from concept to
production, create user-facing products bring data & insight into
everyday. Champion prototyping & iterative development, get ideas in front of
users early, test assumptions & learn quickly before committing
significant time & resources to full scale develop.
Establish & maintain effective CI/CD, automated testing & deployment
practices, enabling products to be developed, released & improved frequently,
safely & consistently. Design & maintain APIs, application services & integrations that connect
data platforms, analytical capabilities & user-facing products. Lead products through the full software development lifecycle, including
discovery, technical design, development, testing, deployment, monitoring,
maintenance & continuous improvement. Explore& appropriately adopt AI-assisted development tools & other
emerging technologies where they can improve developer productivity, quality or
speed of delivery, while maintaining appropriate technical oversight &
governance.About usUnder the Model ICB Blueprint and the 10 Year Health Plan,
ICBs will adopt a more
strategic commissioning role, focusing on population needs, reducing
inequalities, and
delivering the three shifts as defined in the 10 year health plan, all while
operating within strict financial limits.The new organisation will operate on a larger scale with a
revised vision and purpose,
managing a commissioning budget of around 8 billion. Our role as a
strategic
commissioner is to transform our local NHS through exceptional commissioning
and build an innovative health system fit for the 21st century that truly meets
our communities needs. Informed by high quality data and insights, we will
radically re-imagine how we operate, making sure that every pound in our
system delivers the best possible value for everyone we serve.We will encourage and support our people to grow and develop
new skills and embrace new agile ways of working. Everyone is encouraged
to contribute ideas, seek feedback, and take part in creating a listening
and learning culture where insight leads to improvement.





We will work as a team of teams, collaborating
across services and professions to deliver the best outcomes for our
communities. You will be encouraged, and expected to model inclusive
behaviours, valuing diverse perspectives and helping to create a workplace
where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to thrive.DetailsDate posted19 August 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salary
49,387 to 56,515 a year

ContractPermanentWorking pattern


Full-time,



Flexible working


Reference numberD9467-26-0008Job locationsNHS Dorset Integrated Care BoardNHS Dorset - County HallColliton ParkDorchesterDorsetDT1 1XJUnited KingdomNHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire Integrated Care BoardJenner House, Avon WayLangley ParkChippenhamWiltshireSN15 1GGUnited KingdomNHS Somerset Integrated Care BoardWynford HouseLufton WayYeovilSomersetBA22 8HRUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesPlease also refer to attached Job DescriptionThe Software Engineer will design, develop, and maintain
software applications, automation solutions, and analytics tools that support
the Clusters data, intelligence, and operational priorities.The post holder will work closely with analysts, data
scientists, business intelligence teams, and operational stakeholders to
translate business and analytical requirements into robust, reliable, and
secure software solutions. This includes contributing to the design and
delivery of systems that enable efficient data processing, reporting, and
operational insight across the organisation.The role will support the development of automated
workflows, application services, and system integrations, ensuring that all
software solutions comply with NHS information governance, cyber security, and
quality standards.The post holder will contribute to the full software
development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution design,
development, testing, deployment, documentation, and ongoing maintenance of
applications and automation processes.The Software Engineer
will develop and maintain application programming interfaces (APIs),
microservices, and system integrations to support interoperability between
internal data platforms and external systems.The role will utilise a range of programming languages and
development technologies, which may include Python, R, .NET, JavaScript, SQL,
and cloud-based development frameworks.The post holder will apply user-centred design principles to
ensure that solutions are intuitive, accessible, and aligned with user needs
across analytical and operational teams.The role will also support application lifecycle management,
including version control, monitoring, troubleshooting, and the ongoing
enhancement of existing systems and automation tools.In addition, the post holder will ensure that secure coding
practices are followed and that all developments adhere to NHS cyber security
principles and recognised industry standards.The Software Engineer will contribute to continuous
improvement activities within the software development function, supporting the
adoption of modern engineering practices, including testing, documentation, and
collaborative development approaches.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesPlease also refer to attached Job DescriptionThe Software Engineer will design, develop, and maintain
software applications, automation solutions, and analytics tools that support
the Clusters data, intelligence, and operational priorities.The post holder will work closely with analysts, data
scientists, business intelligence teams, and operational stakeholders to
translate business and analytical requirements into robust, reliable, and
secure software solutions. This includes contributing to the design and
delivery of systems that enable efficient data processing, reporting, and
operational insight across the organisation.The role will support the development of automated
workflows, application services, and system integrations, ensuring that all
software solutions comply with NHS information governance, cyber security, and
quality standards.The post holder will contribute to the full software
development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, solution design,
development, testing, deployment, documentation, and ongoing maintenance of
applications and automation processes.The Software Engineer
will develop and maintain application programming interfaces (APIs),
microservices, and system integrations to support interoperability between
internal data platforms and external systems.The role will utilise a range of programming languages and
development technologies, which may include Python, R, .NET, JavaScript, SQL,
and cloud-based development frameworks.The post holder will apply user-centred design principles to
ensure that solutions are intuitive, accessible, and aligned with user needs
across analytical and operational teams.The role will also support application lifecycle management,
including version control, monitoring, troubleshooting, and the ongoing
enhancement of existing systems and automation tools.In addition, the post holder will ensure that secure coding
practices are followed and that all developments adhere to NHS cyber security
principles and recognised industry standards.The Software Engineer will contribute to continuous
improvement activities within the software development function, supporting the
adoption of modern engineering practices, including testing, documentation, and
collaborative development approaches.Person Specification

Qualifications

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.Post-graduate degree in Management Studies or equivalent.Evidence of continued professional development.Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.Understanding of the public sector.Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment.Comprehensive knowledge of project principles, techniques and tools, such as Prince 2 Foundation and Microsoft Project.

Experience

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment.Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.Experience of managing a team without direct line management.Experience of managing risks and reporting.Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at SMT level.Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.

Skills, abilities and Knowledge

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required.Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.Numerate and able to understand complex financial issues combined with deep analytical skills.Knowledge of Financial Systems e.g. monitoring budget management, processing invoices and procurement.Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
Person Specification


Qualifications

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.Post-graduate degree in Management Studies or equivalent.Evidence of continued professional development.Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.Understanding of the public sector.Demonstrated experience in a Healthcare environment.Comprehensive knowledge of project principles, techniques and tools, such as Prince 2 Foundation and Microsoft Project.

Experience

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Significant experience of successfully operating in a politically sensitive environment.Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders.Experience of setting up and implementing internal processes and procedures.Experience of managing a team without direct line management.Experience of managing risks and reporting.Experience of drafting briefing papers and correspondence at SMT level.Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes.

Skills, abilities and Knowledge

EssentialPlease also see attached Person Specification.Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required.Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources.Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making.Numerate and able to understand complex financial issues combined with deep analytical skills.Knowledge of Financial Systems e.g. monitoring budget management, processing invoices and procurement.Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).Employer detailsEmployer nameNHS DorsetAddressNHS Dorset Integrated Care BoardNHS Dorset - County HallColliton ParkDorchesterDorsetDT1 1XJUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameNHS DorsetAddressNHS Dorset Integrated Care BoardNHS Dorset - County HallColliton ParkDorchesterDorsetDT1 1XJUnited KingdomEmployer's website