The Technical Exploitation Development (TXD) team plays an integral role in His Majesty's Government's fight against serious and organised crime, supporting investigations totalling hundreds of millions of pounds each year.

The team manages a diverse and rapidly increasing product portfolio, ranging from development of covert tools for mobile device data acquisition, computer and network exploitation, building custom radio frequency hardware, to the implementation of cutting-edge data visualisation platforms.

Collaboration and capability sharing are critical to our mission so working alongside other Government and Law Enforcement agencies will ensure that no two projects nor two days are ever the same in this role. The team is recognised across the LE and UKIC community as deep matter experts in a range of complex technical specialisms including software engineering, hardware electronics, radio frequency, computer and network exploitation, and reverse engineering.

To enable the rapid prototyping and production of bespoke capabilities, the team is split into two distinct functions:
• Engineering is responsible for managing the full stack development and testing of all bespoke solutions. This could include; developing tools to normalise, interrogate and visualise large datasets, command and control systems, to producing plugins and modules to extend functionality of commercial and in-house built tools.
• Exploit Development is responsible for conducting security research before producing specialist tools that assist in the exploitation of digital devices, encrypted communications and networks.

All staff across both functions are expected to code and test to produce capabilities as part of the software development lifecycle.

Our tech stacks vary between products (some examples can be found under the essential criteria), so the team is encouraged to adopt new technologies and develop specialisms through guided support and training.

Person specification

This junior role is ideal for new software engineers and exploit developers who have recently completed software engineering or cyber security apprenticeships, recent university graduates and those self-taught.

You will be expected to:
• Carry out research and development of new equipment, tools and techniques to counter the threat, risk and harm posed by serious organised criminals.
• Participate in design, secure coding and testing of single components or modules of larger systems.
• Work as part of a skilled team sharing ideas, but also take the initiative to work independently when required.
• Participate in code reviews and pair programming with senior and lead engineers and exploiters.
• Break a problem down into its component parts to identify and diagnose root causes as well as troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Adhere to and follow best practice guidelines and standards.
• Provide guidance, technical operational support and training in the installation and use of developed tools and techniques for deployment by investigation officers.
• Ensure all work is carried out within the requirements of the legal framework to be compliant in the law enforcement and legislative process.

Essential Criteria
• Exposure to, or experience of the software development lifecycle.
• Knowledge or experience of working in an agile software development or exploitation role focussing on user-centred design.
• Knowledge or experience to demonstrate identifying user requirements, ability to design software, write secure code and implement testing methods.
• Knowledge or experience of Continuous Integration (unit testing, TDD, Jenkins, Git).
• Exposure to, or experience with version control systems.
• Knowledge or experience of working with tools for API, performance, accessibility and security testing.
• Demonstrate an awareness of information security and the types of security controls that can be used to mitigate security threats within solutions and services.

Experience in one or more of the following languages:
• Python, Java, Go, Rust, C, Objective-C
• HTML5, JavaScript, React, TypeScript, Vue.js, Node.js

And experience in at least one of the following technologies:
• Database: MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite
• Mobile app development: Android, iOS
• Virtualisation: Docker, VMWare, Proxmox
• Automation and testing: Ansible, Chef, Jenkins, Terraform, Travis CI
• Logging and Visualisation: Elastic, Kafka, Spark, Graylog, Splunk
• Common exploitation/pen testing open source tools
• Digital Forensics and Cyber Security tools

Desirable Criteria
• Experience working with project management tools.
• Experience of handling data sets and scaling their handling and storage.
• Knowledge, understanding and practical application of the following pieces of legislation: Investigatory Powers Act (IPA 2016), Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA 2000) and the associated Codes of Practices.B51:B52"

Additional Security Information

The successful candidate will be required to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level once in post but must already hold or be willing to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance level before starting the role

You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST)

Applicants will be required to be cleared by an occupational health assessment to be able to attend a public and personal safety training (PPST) course. Successful completion of the PPST is required to undertake duties away from the office for this role. Failure to pass and maintain the PPST certificate may affect receipt of the flexibility payment.

Languages
Experience in one or more of the following languages:
• Python, Java, Go, Rust, C, Objective-C
• HTML5, JavaScript, React, TypeScript, Vue.js, Node.js

And experience in at least one of the following technologies:
• Database: MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite
• Mobile app development: Android, iOS
• Virtualisation: Docker, VMWare, Proxmox
• Automation and testing: Ansible, Chef, Jenkins, Terraform, Travis CI
• Logging and Visualisation: Elastic, Kafka, Spark, Graylog, Splunk
• Common exploitation/pen testing open source tools
• Digital Forensics and Cyber Security tools

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Your Technical Skills will also be assessed via a 15 minute presentation with follow up questions. The presentation handout will be provided to applicants invited to interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,289, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £11,961 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service .

This post attracts a Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary. This FP allows HMRC flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs. You will be expected to undertake periods of On Call. You will also be expected to work additional hours, at weekends and outside your normal working hours/days (including bank holidays).

In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.

FP levels are reviewed annually - on a business need and personal basis - and may be subject to change.

If you currently receive the Flexibility Payment, which may include Transition Protection and/or a Maintained Pension Value, moving to a new role may affect your payments.

Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.

Things you need to know

Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV, to include your job history and experience for up to your last 3 jobs/roles. Please use no more than 100-words per role to provide a summary of your key achievements and main responsibilities.
• The personal statement should explain in no more than 750 words why you are suitable for this role and evidence the Essential Criteria for this role. The personal statement should therefore include details of the work and projects that you have been involved in, and your role therein.

Please complete a separate statement (max 250-words) for the Desirable Criteria, if applicable, on your application. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines here.

Sift

At sift your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be asked Experience-based questions to explore your skills, abilities and experience relevant to the role responsibilities and Essential Criteria.

We will ask Strength-based questions to also explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

"It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.

Your Technical Skills will also be assessed via a 15 minute presentation with follow up questions.

The presentation handout will be provided to applicants invited to interview.

Interviews will take place face to face in the Stratford Regional Centre.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - 412867 & vacancy closing date [17/07/25]'.

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Additional Security Information

The successful candidate will be required to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance level once in post but must already hold or be willing to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance level before starting the role

You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers

Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.

Additional Information

We are looking into ways to enhance the applicant experience.

As part of our legitimate interests, we are testing the use of new technologies such as automation and/or Artificial Intelligence in the assessment for CV, personal statement and behaviour statement.

Please note that for this specific vacancy, this testing may run in parallel with our standard assessment process and will not influence or determine the outcome of your application in any way. You can read the Civil Service Jobs and HMRC Privacy Notices for more information about our lawful basis for processing your personal data and HMRC's use of AI.

If you don't want your data to be used as part of the trial, please send your Application ID and the Vacancy Reference to talentacquisitionaiteam@hmrc.gov.uk

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Code Resourcing
• Email : coderesourcing@hmrc.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk

Further information
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles.

In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.

Attachments
T&Cs and OGD Pay - July 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 129kB) Flexibility Payment Attachment FINAL JUNE 2024 Opens in new window (docx, 56kB)