Senior Software Developer

The duties of the post will include:

• Designing a scalable SaaS architecture and integrating complex modules such as AI‑powered camp scheduling, dynamic pricing, secure payments, and GDPR‑compliant data handling.
• Developing multi-venue management and booking protection logic, and integration with DBS APIs to automate background checks.
• Conducting rigorous testing to ensure reliability, security, and smooth interoperability across all modules.
• Prioritising development tasks and ensuring access to required infrastructure and APIs.
• Managing dependencies between technical tasks and external partners for testing and compliance validation.
• Embedding new digital capabilities into processes and delivering training to support adoption.
• Coordinating stakeholders and maintaining progress against project objectives.
• Managing risks, refining the innovation roadmap, and ensuring delivery of key milestones and research outputs.

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

Benefits

As a KTP Associate, the post will offer the following benefits:

• A personal development budget of £5000 (exclusive of salary).
• Management training and mentoring by an Innovate UK KTP Adviser.
• An interesting and challenging role, with exposure to a variety of stakeholders.
• Full access to university resources to complete the project.
• World-leading Academic and Company project supervision, with project support by a dedicated, sector leading KTP Office.

Person Specification

Qualifications /Training

Essential:

• BSc/MSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Strong background in software engineering including SaaS architecture, programming skills, cloud deployment, database design, API integration, payment gateway.

Desirable:

• PhD complete or in progress in a relevant area of technology.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential:

• Proven experience in web application development.
• Experience/knowledge of mobile app development.
• Experience with AI/ML algorithms for scheduling or personalisation.
• Previous involvement in SaaS product development lifecycle.
• Proven knowledge on end-user authentication and authorisation.
• Experience in working with Agile development methodology and use of agile project management tools such as Jira.
• Experience of agile project management and DevOps practices.

Desirable:

• Experience market research and commercial strategy development in childcare, education, or similar regulated sectors.
• Experience with Generative AI based Chatbot implementation.
• Experience with developing a RAG system.

Skills/Abilities

Essential:

• Strong programming skills.
• Knowledge of SaaS architecture, containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) and cloud deployment (AWS, Azure).
• Understanding of database design and API integration.
• Knowledge of versioning tools such as Git.
• Familiarity with payment gateway integration and POS systems.
• Familiarity with QR code handling.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with functional, performance, security and integration testing.
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with software development best practices such as version control, testing, documentation.
• Ability to write technical reports/papers.
• Ability to lead training and knowledge transfer sessions.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG).
• Familiarity with implementing AI powered chatbot features.
• Innovative mindset with interest in digital transformation.
• Competitive analysis and market positioning.
• Familiarity with GDPR compliance.

Other

Essential:

• Can meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ legislation*.
• Ability to fulfil the requirements of a DBS check (see General information).

Contract

Full-time. Fixed term for 30 months. The position is fixed term due to being part of a government funded innovation programme, however there may be potential to continue in employment with the company partner following the completion of the KTP. 40 hours per week.

Please note that part-time hours will not be considered due to the specifications, as set out by the funding body Innovate UK Business Connect.

The University of Essex in partnership with School’s Out Activities offers an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to develop an integrated SaaS platform combining booking, HR, compliance, and safeguarding features to deliver a safe, efficient, and scalable childcare management system for school holiday activity providers.