Senior Software Developer (KTP Associate)

KTP
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) are a unique UK-wide activity that help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity by making better use of the knowledge, technology and skills within universities, colleges and research organisations.

Further information is available at: https://iuk-ktp.org.uk/.

THE PROJECT
The University of Essex in partnership with School's Out Activities offers an exciting opportunity to a graduate with the relevant skills and knowledge to develop an integrated SaaS platform combining booking, HR, compliance, and safeguarding features to deliver a safe, efficient, and scalable childcare management system for school holiday activity providers.

DUTIES OF THE POST
The duties of the post will include:

• Designing a scalable SaaS architecture and integrating complex modules such as AI‑powered camp scheduling, dynamic pricing, secure payments, and GDPR‑compliant data handling.
• Developing multi-venue management and booking protection logic, and integration with DBS APIs to automate background checks.
• Conducting rigorous testing to ensure reliability, security, and smooth interoperability across all modules.
• Prioritising development tasks and ensuring access to required infrastructure and APIs.
• Managing dependencies between technical tasks and external partners for testing and compliance validation.
• Embedding new digital capabilities into processes and delivering training to support adoption.
• Coordinating stakeholders and maintaining progress against project objectives.
• Managing risks, refining the innovation roadmap, and ensuring delivery of key milestones and research outputs.

These duties are a guide to the work that the post holder will initially be required to undertake. They may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

• BSc/MSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
• Strong background in software engineering including SaaS architecture, programming skills, cloud deployment, database design, API integration, payment gateway.

Skills

• Strong programming skills.
• Knowledge of SaaS architecture, containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes, etc.) and cloud deployment (AWS, Azure).
• Understanding of database design and API integration.
• Knowledge of versioning tools such as Git.
• Familiarity with payment gateway integration and POS systems.
• Familiarity with QR code handling.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with functional, performance, security and integration testing.
• Strong communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Familiarity with software development best practices such as version control, testing, documentation.
• Ability to write technical reports/papers.

Attributes

• Ability to lead training and knowledge transfer sessions.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Experience

• Proven experience in web application development.
• Experience/knowledge of mobile app development.
• Experience with AI/ML algorithms for scheduling or personalisation.
• Previous involvement in SaaS product development lifecycle.
• Proven knowledge on end-user authentication and authorisation.
• Experience in working with Agile development methodology and use of agile project management tools such as Jira.
• Experience of agile project management and DevOps practices.

LOCATION
School's Out Activities Ltd, Unit 8, St James Boulevard, Port One Logistics Park, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, IP6 0FL.

Please use the 'Apply' button to read further information about this role including the full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role. You will also find details of how to make your application here.

Our website http://www.essex.ac.uk contains more information about the University of Essex. If you have a disability and would like information in a different format, please email resourcing@essex.ac.uk.

Advert information