Job Description
Senior Software Engineer (Java)
Permanent | Cardiff/Hybrid | Up to 50,000
At Target Group, we’re passionate about using technology to improve financial services – but more importantly, we’re passionate about people, partnerships and progress.
We’re entering an exciting phase of modernisation and transformation, opening up our longstanding platforms through API‑driven services, cloud technologies and new digital channels. To help us shape the future, we’re looking for a Senior Java Software Engineer who combines technical excellence with a collaborative, people‑first mindset.
What can you expect?
As a Senior Software Engineer, you’ll sit at the heart of our engineering capability. You’ll be responsible for translating business and system requirements into robust designs and high‑quality software solutions, while acting as a guardian of code quality and engineering standards.
This is a hands‑on engineering role, but with real influence. You’ll spend time:
- Analysing complex problems
- Designing scalable, secure solutions
- Guiding our offshore development teams
- Reviewing and approving code before release
You won’t have direct line management responsibility, but you’ll play a key role in mentoring, coaching and developing other engineers, shaping best practice across our global teams.
My Team – What’s it like here?
You’ll be joining a team that:
- Values trust, collaboration and openness
- Celebrates success through our My Recognition portal
- Provides regular feedback and career support through meaningful 1‑to‑1s
- Cares deeply about wellbeing, flexibility and continuous learning
We believe great engineering happens when people feel supported, challenged and empowered.
What you’ll be doing
People & Leadership
- Coach and mentor less‑experienced engineers across onshore and offshore teams
- Lead code reviews and design discussions
- Support offshore teams by providing clear requirements and removing blockers
- Take ownership of your personal development and stay current with industry trends
Engineering & Delivery
- Interpret requirements and create complex functional and technical designs
- Design and develop large‑scale, high‑quality Java applications
- Act as a gatekeeper for quality, ensuring standards are met before release
- Investigate and resolve defects, incidents and performance issues
- Define and execute testing strategies to deliver reliable, error‑free solutions
Process & Standards
- Ensure solutions align with company standards, security principles and best practice
- Contribute to software engineering policies, tools and ways of working
- Support modernisation initiatives, APIs and third‑party integrations
Customer & Stakeholder Engagement
- Take part in client and user meetings, clearly presenting options and solutions
- Support users with acceptance testing and problem resolution
- Deliver outcomes that solve real customer challenges
What we’re looking for
Technical skills
- Java 21, J2EE
- Spring ecosystem: Spring Core, MVC, Boot, Batch, Apache Camel, Hibernate
- REST API design and SOAP services
- Front‑end technologies: AngularJS, React, JSP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, TypeScript
- JUnit 5, Mockito
- Application servers (WebSphere and/or Tomcat)
- Containerisation, serverless, AWS (and on‑prem environments)
- Relational databases: DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL or similar
- Secure coding principles and cloud security concepts
- Tooling: Git, Maven, Eclipse/IntelliJ, Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Jenkins, SonarQube, Artifactory
Core Benefits
- Competitive salary of up to £50,000 per annum
- 30 days holiday plus bank holidays – from day one
- Hybrid working policy
- Defined Contribution Pension Scheme (employer matched up to 6%)
- Company‑paid Private Medical Insurance (benefit in kind)
- Group Life Assurance
- Group Income Protection
- Discretionary annual bonus scheme
- Annual pay review
Flexible & Lifestyle Benefits
- My Flex benefits platform – access to a wide range of voluntary benefits
- Technology Buying Scheme (salary sacrifice)
- Gym Flex – discounted gym and health club memberships
- Dental Insurance
- Critical Illness Cover
- Health Cash Plan
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Tastecard / Coffee Club
- Employee Discount Scheme across hundreds of retailers
Wellbeing & Support
- Wisdom Wellbeing – confidential health and wellbeing support, including EAP
- Free flu vaccinations and eye tests, plus contributions towards glasses
- Recognition Scheme celebrating successes across the business
- Free mortgage advice and support
- Charitable payroll giving
- Access to a GP 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through GP24
- Everest Funeral Concierge
- Free Bereavement and Probate Advice and Support
- Enhanced parental leave
Why Join Target
You’ll be joining a team that genuinely:
- Celebrates success through our My Recognition portal
- Invests in your development with regular feedback and support
- Cares about wellbeing as much as delivery
- Encourages curiosity, innovation and best practice
We’re committed to creating a Diverse & Inclusive culture through the execution of our D&I strategy, community relationships, our people & leaders.
Grow your future with us.
If you’re a Senior Java Engineer who wants to make an impact, shape modern platforms and help develop others, we’d love to hear from you.
