Software Returner Programme

Are you an experienced software engineer looking to get back to tech after a break?

Perhaps you feel less confident this time around, or are coming across barriers when applying for jobs?

If so, Tech Returners 4-week C# programme in partnership with AJ Bell, is the perfect avenue to get you back to a job in tech and back to feeling confident.

The best part? It’s completely free and you receive a £2,000 bursary to support with living costs.

Key Details

Tech Returners TR4 programme is a 4-week returner launchpad designed for experienced software engineers who are trying to return to tech after a career break.

You’ll receive bespoke technical mentoring and career coaching from our experts during the programme. By the end of the programme, you will be ready to return to a career with our hiring partner, AJ Bell.

Applications close: 15.04.24
Programme start: 07.05.24
Programme end: 31.05.24

What AJ Bell is looking for...

We’re looking for an intelligent, energetic and driven software engineer to help us deliver our brand, products and services to our clients and their advisers. People who are excited by technology, love pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while at the same time keeping an eye on the bigger picture and ensuring the best outcomes for our customers by providing straightforward solutions.

This is a challenging role involving a high level of attention to detail but also allows a great deal of flexibility on achieving the right result using the best technology for a given situation. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking for a fast paced environment which is varied and rewarding.

You will be part of a cross-functional Agile team, delivering our enterprise backlog development items. You will have solid experience in delivery of development projects to agreed timescales and quality objectives, working in accordance with defined Agile framework and processes.

You will have:

• Strong experience in developing services and APIs using C# (past experience with OOP languages such as Java would also be considered)
• Strong knowledge of relational and NoSQL databases
• Secure development practices.
• Using a git-based source control system.
• Knowledge of CI automation systems such as Jenkins
• Some experience of React or Angular frameworks
• Experience working in an Agile and DevOps environment.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

The nice to haves:

• Messaging (e.g. RabbitMQ, SQS)
• Working knowledge of domain-driven design.
• Docker/Kubernetes and container orchestration tools.
• Knowledge of design patterns.
• Test-driven development (TDD).
• AWS cloud infrastructure/Relevant AWS certifications.
• Previous experience working in e-commerce and/or financial services.

About AJ Bell

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers, to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 484,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £76.2 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1300 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years.

What we offer

• Starting salary £40,000 - £65,000 (dependent on level and experience)
• Generous holiday allowance increasing up to 31 days with service, plus bank holidays
• Holiday buy/sell scheme
• Hybrid working policy
• Casual dress code
• Discretionary bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Dedicated time for proof-of-concepts and assessing new tech
• Support to attend conferences, events, and meet-ups
• Buy as you earn share scheme
• Free annual share scheme
• Paid study support for qualifications
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme from day one
• Bike loan
• Season ticket loan portal
• Discounted PMI and Dental
• On-site gym and personal trainer led classes
• Paid volunteering opportunities, free social events and more

The roles are hybrid, with occasional travel to the Manchester Office. During the first few weeks of your induction, you’ll need to commit to coming to the office regularly. After your induction, you’ll then transition to a more hybrid focus.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.