Vacancy Details

Description

Full Time, Fixed Term for 3 years, to 31 March 2021

 

Transforming the Library through Technology

 

The British Library is a unique and fascinating cultural centre that plays an important, global role in modern life. From valuable books to rare manuscripts, and from our moving image services to our sound archive, we’re here to offer a comprehensive, valuable resource for everyone.

 

People from all walks of life and from all over the world visit us – in person and online, for research, inspiration or enjoyment. We’re proud to be home to everything from the Diamond Sutra, the world's earliest printed book (dated 868), to the sole surviving manuscript copy of Beowulf.

 

The Technology department at the British Library had undergone an ambitious programme to support the library in delivering services to meet the Library’s current and future needs.

 

We are in the position to recruit a Principle Software Engineer to join our team at this exciting time of change and innovation. As a Principle Software Engineer, you will work as part of the Technology team on our exciting new and existing platforms, both designing and implementing new systems and developing enhancements to both our customer facing web based systems and backend systems.

 

This is diverse role that requires you to take activities and projects through to completion whilst understanding and focusing on the business goals of the library.  

 

To achieve this role you will require:

 

• Proven experience and excellent understanding of software development using Java, Groovy and Perl
• Good working knowledge of Windows/UNIX server technologies  
• Good working knowledge of SQL and database design
• Good working knowledge of XML and experience in using related technologies such as XPath or XSLTs
• Good working knowledge of non-SQL database technologies, particularly MongoDB and BRS
• Experience in using messaging systems such as RabbitMQ
• Significant experience in the migration of legacy systems to new platforms
• Experience in projects in which handling large amounts of complex data was a key aspect
• Experience of planning and executing unit, system, integration and regression testing
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing  to a wide range of peers through a range of grades and positions
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing  to a wide range of peers through a range
• of grades and positions
• Proven experience in the technical leadership of projects
• Proven experience in the application of agile methodologies to technical projects
• Takes activities and projects through to completion, and demonstrates drive and resilience
• Understands and focusses on the business goals of the British Library

 

It’s essential that you have proven experience of working in an agile development framework using Scrum and proven experience of software development and implantation along with excellent communication skills. 

 

You will deal effectively with matters of a confidential nature. With your highly developed experience of troubleshooting and optimising applications, you will easily interface with colleagues at every level.

 

Show us you have what it takes to be part of an evolving team providing world-class tools and systems that improve the user experience of both internal and external customers. As part of the Technology team, we’ll make sure you thrive within an ever-evolving environment that promises endless challenge and reward. 

 

The British Library provides all employees with an exceptional benefits package, for full details of the benefits you will be part of please follow this link http://www.bl.uk/careers/benefits.html

In return we offer a competitive salary and a number of excellent benefits.  Our pension scheme is one of the most valuable benefits we offer, as our staff can become members of the Alpha Pension Scheme where the Library contributes 20.9%. Another significant benefit the Library provides is the provision of a flexible working hours scheme which could allow you to work your hours flexibly over the week and to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3 month period. This is on top of 25 days holiday from entry and public and privilege holidays.

 

More about the British Library

As one of the world’s great libraries, our duty is to preserve the nation’s intellectual memory for the future. At the moment we have well over 150 million items, in most known languages, with three million new items added every year. We have manuscripts, maps, newspapers, magazines, prints and drawings, music scores, and patents. We operate the world’s largest document delivery service providing millions of items a year to customers all over the world. What matters to us is that we preserve the national memory and enable knowledge to be created both now and in the future.

 

 

Closing date: 10 July 2018

Interview date: Week commencing 16 July 2018

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident employer, and make a commitment to recruit and support disabled people. We guarantee an interview for disabled candidates who meet the minimum (essential) requirements for a vacancy.

In order to apply for this vacancy, you must be able to supply the required answers to the following questions: