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Starting salary: £60,000 to £65,000 depending on qualifications and experience

Closing date for applications: 18 November 2024 at 9.00 am

AlphaPlus is a Manchester-based education service business specialising in standards, assessment and certification. We help our clients design, develop, deploy and evaluate qualifications and their underpinning assessments. Our work spans the public and private sectors, schools, colleges, vocational and professional learning and includes work across the UK’s four nations, and international projects.

AlphaPlus is the leading exponent of high-stakes computerised adaptive tests (CAT) in the UK - working with technology partners, we deliver two flagship national assessment programmes for UK Government agencies. We are now developing a suite of core technologies to support and enhance our competitive advantage in this area.

We are seeking a proficient C/C++ software engineer to design, build, and maintain efficient, reusable, and reliable C/C++ code. The ideal candidate will be involved in various phases of software development, from concept and design right through to testing, and will play an integral role in the creation of high-performance applications. The work involves taking on and advancing an existing CAT codebase, as well as developing new algorithms, co-designed with our psychometrics team. They will support and be line-managed by the enterprise architect, who in turn is managed by the director responsible for technology.

Eligible applicants will possess demonstrable competence in software development with a high level of proficiency in C/C++, and hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Formal training in software development such as a computer science degree is desirable, as is proficiency in other systems programming languages, such as Rust or Zig, or higher-level languages such as C# or Python.

They must also have the following:

* Proven experience as a C/C++ Software engineer or similar role.

* At least 3 years’ professional experience and demonstrable track record of the full implementation lifecycle of projects requiring software development elements.

* Substantial experience of delivering the software-related components of projects

* Experience of working in teams in project-based contexts

The position is permanent, full-time working 37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday and is Manchester office-based. The successful candidate is expected to reside within/relocate to commuting distance from the office. A relocation package is offered if required.

Job share/other flexible working arrangements may be considered for the right candidate(s). Any such preferences should be indicated at the early application stage and can be discussed further at interview. The company offers hybrid working (two days per week minimum in the office, with three days working at home). The exact allocation of office-based days is decided by the appointee's manager, although flexibility remains our policy and approach. A relocation package is available if appropriate.

The role may occasionally involve some national travel, working in company and customer offices, with the possibility of international travel.

Benefits include:

* discretionary profit related bonus scheme

* NEST workplace pension scheme – tier 1

* enhanced sick pay cover

* enhanced maternity/parental leave

* 25 days paid leave plus the eight statutory bank holidays

* commitment to developing the expertise of our employees.

We expect to invite shortlisted candidates to an online assessment and interview on dates to be confirmed between 26 November and 3 December 2024.

Please note that AlphaPlus is not licensed to offer sponsorship under the UK government’s skilled worker sponsorship scheme.

Application is via the Alpha Plus website. Please visit the Opportunities page to access the full job description, application form download and application instructions.

AlphaPlus jobs are based on competencies, which are published in the job description. When completing the covering statement, you are requested to set out how you meet the competencies relevant to this role, limiting this to no more than the five most important competencies. Please include how you meet the most important personal attributes and your most significant relevant experience.

AlphaPlus is committed to providing equal opportunities to all and has an inclusive approach to recruitment, selection and employment. You are invited to complete and submit the equal opportunities monitoring form available on our website.Demographic details requested as part of our monitoring process are not used in our selection process.

By submitting an application to AlphaPlus you indicate that you agree to the terms of our recruitment privacy notice and the AlphaPlus privacy policy published on our website