Software Engineering Specialist Job Req ID: 45075 Posting Date: 9 Apr 2025 Function: Software Engineering Unit: Networks Location: Assembly, Bristol, United Kingdom Salary: Competitive with Great Benefits Why this job matters As networks grow in complexity and the demand for speed, resilience, and efficiency increases, the ability to intelligently automate, simplify, and scale operations becomes critical. This role sits at the heart of that transformation. You'll be enabling the next generation of mobile core operations by designing and developing software solutions that streamline workflows, embed compliance, and eliminate inefficiencies. Your work will directly impact how quickly and reliably services are delivered that benefit customers, how easily teams can operate and troubleshoot systems, and how effectively the business can adapt to new technologies and opportunities. This isn't just about writing code or developing software solutions, it's about shaping the future of operational excellence in the unique world of Mobile Core Operations and telecom services serving millions of customers daily. This role is hybrid (3 days in the office) and can be based in: Bristol, Birmingham, Glasgow or London What You'll Be Doing - Design and develop software solutions that align with the organisation's strategic goals for automation, operational efficiency, and compliance. - Architect scalable and maintainable systems that integrate effectively with mobile core platforms and operational infrastructure. - Lead the development of automation tools, scripts, and platforms to reduce manual effort, and enhance system reliability. - Ensure all software solutions are developed in alignment with TSA (telecoms security act) requirements. - Collaborate with operations, design and security teams to embed security, maintainability, and standardisation within codebases and deployment pipelines. - Analyse existing operational workflows, identify inefficiencies, and develop targeted software improvements. - Collaborate with operations teams to understand pain points and implement tailored solutions that streamline tasks and improve performance. - Contribute to the evolution of the company's software and automation technology strategy through hands-on development, tool evaluation, and innovation. - Stay abreast of emerging technologies and make informed recommendations on their applicability to the mobile core environment. - Work closely with network engineers, DevOps, infrastructure teams, and other technical stakeholders to design interoperable systems. - Serve as a key technical advisor within projects involving software development in operational contexts. - Ensure high standards of code quality, testing, and documentation across all developed software. - Establish and enforce coding standards and development practices that support maintainability and team collaboration. - Provide technical mentorship and support of network engineers and any junior developers to improve software support capability. - Document solution designs, user guides and development approaches to facilitate ongoing knowledge transfer. - Develop software solutions with a focus on operational readiness, monitoring and troubleshooting. - Ensure software is deployable, observable, and supportable by operational team post-release. - Take ownership of software deliverables from concept through to delivery and support. - Manage development timelines, communicate risks, and ensure alignment with project objectives and delivery plans. - Practice self-learning continuous personal and professional development Skills & Experience Required - Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, C# with demonstrated experience in building robust systems or automation tooling. - Hands-on experience with automation frameworks and tools, including CI/CD pipelines (e.g. GitLab-CI, Jenkins, Infrastructure-as-code (e.g. Ansible, Jinja2, Terraform), and scripting. - Deep understanding of software development principles, including design patterns, modular architecture test-driven development (TDD), and version control (e.g. Git). - Experience integrating with APIs, network systems, or telemetry platforms, ideally in telecoms or other operational environments. - Proficient in virtualisation and orchestration tools (e.g. Docker, OpenStack, VMWare) - Familiarity with observability and monitoring practices. - Proven ability to drive automation initiatives, from concept through implementation, especially in complex operational environments. - Knowledge of operational workflows, network management, and service assurance processes within telecom or a similarly complex technical domain - Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work through complex, cross-domain technical challenges - Effective communicator, able to work with design, operational, and vendor/customer teams to understand needs and deliver value. - Proactive and self-directed, comfortable in turning strategic and team goals into individual work-packages to deliver objectives while also contributing in cross-functional teams. - Adaptable with change, especially in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities or technical directions. - Strong documentation and knowledge sharing habits, supporting sustainable and maintainable development and skills sharing. - Desirable: Experience in developing in or alongside mobile core network operations (e.g. 4G/5G networks, OSS systems, network orchestration platforms) - Desirable: Understanding of telecoms security practices and TSA (Telecoms Security Act) governance and compliance. Benefits - On target 10% on target bonus? - BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%? - From January 2025, equal family leave: receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It's for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.? - Enhanced women's health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.? - 25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service? - 24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues? - 2 weeks carer's leave ? - World-class training and development opportunities? - Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes. About us BT Group was the world's first telco and our heritage in the sector is unrivalled. As home to several of the UK's most recognised and cherished brands - BT, EE, Openreach and Plusnet, we have always played a critical role in creating the future, and we have reached an inflection point in the transformation of our business. Over the next two years, we will complete the UK's largest and most successful digital infrastructure project - connecting more than 25 million premises to full fibre broadband. Together with our heavy investment in 5G, we play a central role in revolutionising how people connect with each other. While we are through the most capital-intensive phase of our fibre investment, meaning we can reward our shareholders for their commitment and patience, we are absolutely focused on how we organise ourselves in the best way to serve our customers in the years to come. This includes radical simplification of systems, structures, and processes on a huge scale. Together with our application of AI and technology, we are on a path to creating the UK's best telco, reimagining the customer experience and relationship with one of this country's biggest infrastructure companies. Change on the scale we will all experience in the coming years is unprecedented. BT Group is committed to being the driving force behind improving connectivity for millions and there has never been a more exciting time to join a company and leadership team with the skills, experience, creativity, and passion to take this company into a new era. A FEW POINTS TO NOTE: Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you're a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch. We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us. DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT? Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.