Job description
The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) administers pensions for Scottish Teachers, Police, Firefighters' and National Health Service employees on behalf of the Scottish Government.
We're responsible for protecting the financial futures of over half a million people , that’s around 1 in 10 people in Scotland.
If you’re looking for meaningful work, a supportive environment and a career with purpose, you’ll find it at the SPPA.
Our office is based in Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders, the train station is a short two minute walk away and offers regular services to and from Edinburgh Waverley, making it a convenient and well connected location for commuters.
The surrounding area offers access to green space, walking routes and a strong sense of local community, supporting wellbeing both in and outside of work.
Our modern office building is designed to support flexible and collaborative working, with spaces for teamwork, quiet focus and hybrid working. Colleagues benefit from a comfortable, welcoming environment that reflects our commitment to wellbeing and inclusion.
As a Software Engineer at SPPA, you’ll maintain and enhance the agency's Python-based Standalone Pension Calculator which is central to the McCloud Remedy Programme, helping ensure fair pension choices for public sector workers - while building secure, scalable solutions using modern technologies in a collaborative, user-focused environment. This role will form part of the SPPA Development Team, a sub-team of SPPA Information Technology.
Responsibilities
- Develop, test, and maintain Python-based software solutions - including the standalone pension calculator- using modern frameworks and tools.
- Design secure, scalable systems and components following established architectural patterns and development standards.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure solutions meet user needs and strategic goals.
- Contribute to cloud-based deployments and support ongoing maintenance and fault resolution.
- Participate in code reviews, prototyping, and knowledge sharing to uphold quality and support team development.
- Translate user stories and specifications into detailed technical designs and implementations.
- Embed security controls and ensure compliance with information security standards throughout the development lifecycle.
- Continuously improve development processes by identifying deficiencies and supporting optimisation initiatives.
About us
At the SPPA, we are committed to The Fair Work Framework
This means offering:
- Security and stability
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Opportunities to learn and develop
- A respectful and inclusive working environment
At SPPA we want our workforce to be representative of Scottish society and we strive to be a workplace where people are welcomed and valued for the contribution they make.
We support flexible working and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds, including those starting their careers, changing careers, or returning to work.
We are committed to removing any barriers to applying for our jobs and aim to offer support and make reasonable adjustments to allow full participation in the recruitment process.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer .
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules .
You can also find out more about careers at the SPPA here - SPPA Careers | SPPA (pensions.gov.scot )
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options, with two days minimum working on site at SPPA. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide .
Skilled Worker sponsorship is not available for this role. As a result, we are unable to appoint candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship now or in the future. Applicants must have an existing and ongoing right to work in the UK.
Pay supplement
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £6,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly – pay supplements are reviewed regularly.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further Information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website .
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
We will hold a reserve list for this post for 12 months.
Apply Before: 26th July 2026
Success profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical / Professional Skills:
This role is aligned to the Software Developer job role within the Software Engineering/Development job family within the Digital, Data and Technology Profession. These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework here .
Experience
Lead Criteria: Experience writing programs and scripts using Python, object-oriented programming (OOP), Python back-end framework such as Flask, SQL, JavaScript (Next.js) for front end, and version control tools like Git allows you to use agreed specifications to independently design, code, test and document programs or scripts of medium-to-high complexity, using the right standards and tools.
Experience developing and deploying cloud-based services, particularly those built with modern frameworks and databases, using containerisation tools such as Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud infrastructure (Azure, including App Services and Virtual Machines, help identify and fix faults following agreed procedures and carry out agreed maintenance tasks).
Experience of the technologies and patterns used by established architectural patterns and engineering practices, such as SOLID principles, modular design, secure data structures, and cloud-native patterns like micro services and event-driven architectures enables you to produce detailed designs of components and data structures using well understood technology, appropriate patterns, and security controls embedded.
Behaviours:
- Communicating & Influencing - Level 3
- Delivering at Pace - Level 3
Find out more about Success Profiles .
How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Criteria highlighted above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against the remaining experience and behaviours criteria.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and DDaT technical assessment where the behaviours, experiences and technical skills outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed.
Sifting will commence from 3rd August 2026.
Interview and Assessments are scheduled for w/c 10th August 2026, however this may be subject to change. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in-person interview and assessment at the SPPA office in Tweedbank.
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
