About this role
Salary: £48,000 - 68,000 per year
Requirements: Extensive hands-on software engineering experience focused on developing and maintaining production applicationsStrong Java and JVM-based development experienceStrong TypeScript skills are valued for Node.js-centric projectsProficiency with the Spring ecosystem and modernizing Java enterprise applicationsRecent personal involvement in coding, debugging, and reviewing production codePractical experience with Test-Driven Development across multiple testing frameworksSolid understanding of unit, integration, and regression testingExperience creating automated test suites integrated within CI/CD pipelinesExperience designing release automation and quality gatesStrong knowledge of secure coding practices, vulnerability remediation, and dependency risk managementAbility to analyze application impacts before applying security fixesExperience upgrading runtimes, frameworks, libraries, and container platforms such as Docker or OpenShiftExperience managing Linux environments, preferably Red Hat Enterprise LinuxFamiliarity with build tools such as Maven, Gradle, or npmAdvanced Git workflows and comprehensive production-debugging techniquesUnderstanding of application observability, exception handling, and production readinessFundamental knowledge of distributed and critical system engineering principlesDemonstrated ownership of complex technical work through all stages, from design to production handoverStrong client-facing communication and technical leadership skillsAbility to coach engineers and implement sustainable engineering standardsProficient and responsible use of AI coding tools to enhance engineering, testing, and delivery outcomes Responsibilities: Lead targeted technical engagements addressing security, testing, release, resilience, and legacy technology challenges with development teamsAssess application code, dependencies, runtime environment, test coverage, deployment architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and operational risksWrite, debug, review, and enhance production-quality code and configuration throughout engagementsDefine and implement practical modernization and remediation plans with clear priorities, dependencies, risks, and measurable outcomesDevelop or improve unit, integration, component, contract, and deployment smoke tests using Test-Driven Development practicesSelect appropriate automation-testing approaches per application and drive implementation, including the use of AI coding assistanceSource suitable test data and implement secure data masking for lower environmentsConduct vulnerability triage, root-cause and dependency reachability analyses, remediation prioritization, secure code changes, and regression testingUpgrade Java, JVM, NPM, Spring, open-source libraries, internal dependencies, installed software, base images, and operating systems to supported versionsEstablish sustainable dependency-management processes with continuous library updates using Renovate or equivalent toolsModernize legacy applications and middleware stacks, including those deployed on WebSphere or WebLogicContainerize applications using Docker and support deployment to OpenShiftImprove source control, branch management, pull-request, and code-review practicesDesign, implement, and optimize CI/CD pipelines to ensure safe, repeatable, automated, and easy releasesAutomate database changes using Liquibase or equivalent migration toolsAutomate installed software and environment changes using Ansible or equivalent configuration management toolsImplement secure coding patterns, secrets management, authentication, authorization, and least-privilege controlsIntroduce standard observability patterns, including structured logging, application metrics, tracing, dashboards, alerting, and actionable health checksEnhance exception handling, operational diagnostics, rollback procedures, and production-validation controlsDesign or improve resilient deployment architectures, including hot-hot cross-datacenter deployments where requiredLead technical workshops and effectively communicate technical decisions, risks, blockers, trade-offs, and progress to engineering, security, architecture, operations, project management, and stakeholdersProvide technical leadership through code reviews, coaching, reusable standards, documentation, and knowledge transfer to development teamsTake ownership from initial assessment through implementation, production deployment, stabilization, and handover Technologies: AIAnsibleCI/CDDevOpsDockerGitGradleSupportJVMJavaLinuxLiquibaseMavenNPMOpenShiftRenovateSecuritySpringTypeScriptWebsphereNodeJSDynatraceELKFlywayGrafanaIBMIBM WebSphereKubernetesOpenTelemetryOraclePrometheusSplunkSpring Boot More:
The project is focused on improving the security, release reliability, maintainability, and operational resilience of business-critical banking applications. Forward Deployed Engineers will conduct targeted, hands-on engagements with development teams facing challenges with vulnerability remediation, automated testing, legacy technology, production stability, or safe and rapid release cadence. The role combines senior software engineering, DevOps, SRE, test automation, application security, and legacy modernization, with approximately 70% of the work involving hands-on coding and configuration. The technical scope includes building automated test suites, remediating security vulnerabilities, performing dependency and reachability analysis, upgrading Java and NPM runtimes, modernizing Spring and legacy middleware applications, improving CI/CD pipelines, containerizing applications, automating deployments, and introducing standard observability and resilience patterns. The Expert FDE is expected to lead complex engagements, work directly with development and client stakeholders, define remediation approaches, implement critical changes personally, and enable client teams to maintain improved engineering practices.
last updated 34 week of 2026