Software Engineer - Python (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds & London)

Company Description

Genomics England partners with the NHS to provide whole genome sequencing diagnostics. We also equip researchers to find the causes of disease and develop new treatments – with patients and participants at the heart of it all.

Our mission is to continue refining, scaling, and evolving our ability to enable others to deliver genomic healthcare and conduct genomic research.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Job Description

Help shape the incredible future of genomic healthcare - we’re looking for a highly experienced Software Engineer with a demonstrable track record of building and maintaining scalable, distributed systems primarily using Python and AWS services.

Here at Genomics England, you’ll be developing the platforms that enable everything from large-scale genomic data analysis to nationwide clinical research tools.

If you’re a proven Software Engineer who’s confident working with Python at scale, designing for reliability and performance, and wants to be hands-on with modern cloud-native technologies (Terraform, GitLab CI, AWS and more), this is your chance to make a real-world impact through technology.

Be part of something truly unique, and work that genuinely matters!

Everyday responsibilities include:

Delivering business requirements primarily using Python and Terraform
Working collaboratively as part of team to solve petabyte-scale problems
Taking a test-first approach to delivery from acceptance tests all the way down to unit tests
Monitoring, troubleshooting and supporting services running at scale in production
Contributing to code reviews and architecture discussions
Using Git, Confluence and JIRA daily
Skills and experience for success

Strong Python programming background, delivering production-ready code
Proven experience working on distributed systems using managed cloud services (AWS preferable)
Confident provisioning modern cloud infrastructure with Terraform
Hands-on experience with CI/CD pipelines (GitLab CI preferable)
Ability to evaluate the pros and cons of different technologies (e.g. SQL vs NoSQL databases)
Strong track record in test automation and a quality-first engineering mindset
Comfortable working in agile squads with a DevOps culture
A familiarity with how Non-Functional Requirements impact the design of a system
Excellent communication skills, able to work across cross-functional teams
Nice to have

Interest in genomics, scientific tooling or bioinformatics (or a willingness to learn)

Qualifications

BSc in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Additional Information

Salary from: £71,500

Closing Date: Monday 18th August at 23:00 (UK time)

Being an integral part of such a meaningful mission is extremely rewarding in itself, but in order to support our people, we’re continually improving our benefits package. We pride ourselves on investing in our people and supporting them to achieve their career goals, as well as offering a benefits package including: 

Generous Leave: 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, additional leave for long service, and the option to apply for up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%, however you can contribute more if you wish), Life Assurance (3x salary), and a Give As You Earn scheme.
Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, a free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace 

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. 

Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity and will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor.  

Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour is contrary to