Job Introduction
We’re looking for exceptional Senior Scientific Software Engineers to help us make a difference to our planet.
As our Senior Scientific Software Engineer, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work.
Our Scientific Software Engineers (SSEs) are professional software developers working alongside scientists to deliver scientific capabilities, from 24/7 weather forecasts to fundamental climate research. This is an open advert across a range of posts, from physics code optimisation to space weather codes to climate research engineering to supercomputer automation.
Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, but we would also consider applicants wishing to work a minimum of 22 hours per week and we will also try our best to consider those intending to work a job share. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.
World changing work
From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are.
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We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
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We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
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We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
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We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
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We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers
Your world of expertise
Our world-leading weather forecasts and climate projections rely on professional software engineering within Research and Development to operate effectively and efficiently, and to pull through new scientific capabilities in a rapidly changing world. This is an opportunity across multiple teams and more details will be available at interview.
Your key duties:
Provide technical leadership regarding the specification and implementation of specialised scientific software applications required to underpin Met Office science programmes. You will:
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Lead the technical development of software applications that meet the needs of the scientific community within the Met Office
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Promote and contribute to the improvement of, software engineering procedures and standards to ensure delivered software solutions meet desired quality criteria
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Responsible lead for the maintenance, documentation and support of software applications to facilitate their maximum utilisation and longevity.
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Proactively engage with scientific colleagues to understand and influence their requirements for specialised scientific software solutions and ensure our software meets these requirements.
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Proactively aim to enhance the knowledge of others, identifying beneficial learning areas for both the team and strategic area.
Why join us
Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list.
As our Senior Scientific Software Engineer, your total reward package will be up to £60,268 annually, which includes:
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£43,081 base pay
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An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
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Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) you will be paid £2,700 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills. Whilst in post, you will be paid this market driven allowance from April 2026 until March 2027 in your monthly pay
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Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave
Essential Criteria, skills and experience:
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Lead Criteria: Show deep and/or broad relevant technical insight through delivery and evaluation of significant advances in software capability by the effective application of technical knowledge, understanding and skills (Experts by Nature)
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Engage with internal and external stakeholders to understand the requirements for your work and its wider context, and significantly contribute to the development of plans to meet these requirements, informing wider strategic planning (Better Together)
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Promote good Quality Assurance processes, best practice, standards and/or regulations in your work and that of others (Live and Breathe It)
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Communicate knowledge accurately and concisely in written documents and discussions in large groups, tailoring communication for diverse audiences and building trust / credibility whilst enhancing the organisation’s reputation (Better Together)
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Proactively develop your technical skills and support others in developing their technical skills, leading to improved output and the career development of others (Keep Evolving)
The panel may perform a preliminary sift of the lead criteria as indicated above.
How to apply
If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills.
Please note: We are currently recruiting for 5 roles which are being advertised at 3 levels (Foundation Scientific Software Engineer, Scientific Software Engineer and Senior Scientific Software Engineer). Those wishing to be considered at multiple levels should submit an application at each level.
Candidates selected for interview will be asked if they have a preference of area and this will be taken into consideration by the chairperson when offers are made.
Closing date 07/06/2026 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 22/06/2026. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.
Using AI in your application
We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.
How we can help
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at [email protected].
If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.
We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact us at: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: [email protected]
