Senior Java Software Engineer

Senior Java Software Engineer in Stafford (ST18) | Semantics 21 Search Search These jobs were popular with other job seekers Senior Software Engineer DWP Digital Lee Bank, Birmingham (B1) £57946 - £80664 per annum + plus 28.97% employer pension contributions 6 days ago Lead Software Developer - .Net Hireful Manchester, Greater Manchester £65k - £70k base + benefits 2 weeks ago Lead Full Stack Developer Gerrell & Hard Birmingham (B25) From £70,000 to £80,000 per annum + benefits 2 weeks ago Android Developer CHH Conex Limited Birmingham (B6) Bonus Potential 2 weeks ago Senior Software Engineer Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Nottingham (NG1) £55000 - £60000 per annum 3 weeks ago Web Developer Reed Technology Demming Ind Est, Cheadle (SK8), SK8 2BL £31050 - £37950 per annum 1 month ago Platform Developer Erin Associates Blowers Green, Dudley (DY1), DY1 £45000 - £55000 per annum, Benefits & excellent benefits 7 hours ago NEW Documentum Developer IO Associates Telford (TF1) Negotiable 1 day ago Full Stack Developer Outserve Stafford, Staffordshire £45,000–£55,000 2 weeks ago Senior Software Developer Sanderson Recruitment London £60000 - £65000 per annum + Some flexibility + £15-£20k in bonus 2 weeks ago Senior Software Engineer DWP Digital Lee Bank, Birmingham (B1) £57946 - £80664 per annum + plus 28.97% employer pension contributions 6 days ago Lead Software Developer - .Net Hireful Manchester, Greater Manchester £65k - £70k base + benefits 2 weeks ago Lead Full Stack Developer Gerrell & Hard Birmingham (B25) From £70,000 to £80,000 per annum + benefits 2 weeks ago Android Developer CHH Conex Limited Birmingham (B6) Bonus Potential 2 weeks ago Senior Software Engineer Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Nottingham (NG1) £55000 - £60000 per annum 3 weeks ago Web Developer Reed Technology Demming Ind Est, Cheadle (SK8), SK8 2BL £31050 - £37950 per annum 1 month ago Platform Developer Erin Associates Blowers Green, Dudley (DY1), DY1 £45000 - £55000 per annum, Benefits & excellent benefits 7 hours ago NEW Documentum Developer IO Associates Telford (TF1) Negotiable 1 day ago Full Stack Developer Outserve Stafford, Staffordshire £45,000–£55,000 2 weeks ago Senior Software Developer Sanderson Recruitment London £60000 - £65000 per annum + Some flexibility + £15-£20k in bonus 2 weeks ago Senior Java Software Engineer Semantics 21 Stafford (ST18) Permanent Published: 2 days ago From £35,000 to £45,000 per annum depending on experience, capability Senior Java Software Engineer Semantics 21 Build and improve real-world Java desktop software in a small, influential engineering team where your technical decisions, ideas, and leadership will genuinely matter. Hands-on Java desktop software role focused on Swing-based commercial applications - not web development. About Us Semantics 21 is a multi-award-winning UK software company developing specialist desktop software used internationally within public safety and investigative environments. Our technology helps organisations process and review digital evidence more effectively, supporting work that can have genuine real-world impact in areas including child protection and public safety. We are growing our engineering team and are looking for a Senior Java Software Engineer to help develop large-scale desktop applications used operationally by organisations internationally. Despite the sensitive environments our software supports, development staff are never exposed to illegal or disturbing material as part of their role. The Role This is a hands-on software engineering role focused on long-term desktop application development - not web development. You will work across both existing and new applications, contributing to software used daily in real operational environments where reliability, usability, and performance genuinely matter. This role may suit an experienced developer already operating at senior level, or a strong Java developer ready to step into greater technical ownership, mentoring, and long-term product influence. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building real software products, solving practical engineering problems, and contributing ideas within a smaller technical team where your voice and technical direction genuinely matter. We are looking for a Senior Java Software Engineer, or a strong Java developer ready to step into senior-level responsibility, to help develop and improve large-scale desktop applications used operationally by organisations internationally. You will be involved in: Desktop application development using Java and Swing, with some JavaFX where appropriate Improving and maintaining large commercial codebases Performance optimisation and troubleshooting Designing intuitive desktop user interfaces Database integration using technologies such as MySQL and SQLite File processing, reporting, and data handling Contributing ideas, innovation, and long-term technical improvements across the wider platform Helping guide development standards, architecture decisions, and future technical direction Supporting, mentoring, and where appropriate supervising other developers as the team grows. We use modern development tooling and actively support sensible use of AI-assisted development tools, such as Codex, where they improve productivity, code understanding, testing, or development workflow. Why Join Us / What We Offer We are a smaller engineering team where developers are encouraged to contribute ideas, improvements, and innovation - not simply complete assigned tasks. Developers work directly with the CEO within a flat management structure. This gives the development team direct access to someone with hands-on software development, architecture, customer, and investigator experience. Your input will directly influence products, workflows, technical direction, and long-term development decisions across the company. This is not an environment where developers are treated as interchangeable resources or isolated from decision-making. Your ideas will be heard, challenged, and where appropriate, implemented. This role suits developers who enjoy building real, long-term software products rather than short-lived web, marketing, or internal dashboard projects. What We’re Looking For We are ideally looking for someone with: Strong commercial Java development experience Experience developing desktop applications using Swing and/or JavaFX Strong understanding of Core Java and object-oriented programming Experience working within larger or long-term codebases Good debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills Ability to work independently and take ownership of technical challenges Ability to think beyond individual tickets and contribute to longer-term product improvement Strong written and verbal English communication skills Experience with any of the following would also be beneficial: Multithreading/concurrency MySQL or SQLite JasperReports Git File parsing and processing AI-assisted development workflows Strong personal projects, GitHub work, or demonstrable practical coding ability are valued more highly than formal qualifications alone. Please include links to previous work, GitHub, portfolio projects, screenshots, or other examples in your CV or application where available. Working Environment Based from our Stafford (ST18) office This is primarily an office-based role at our Stafford office. Hybrid working may be considered by exception depending on experience, role fit, and business needs. Shortlisted candidates will be welcomed into the office as part of the process Full-time, permanent role Free onsite parking We support flexible working hours where possible. Most roles are based around a 7.5-hour working day, Monday-Friday, during normal office hours, with start and finish times agreed around team and business needs. Typical patterns may include 08:00-16:00, 09:00-17:00, or 10:00-18:00. What We Offer £35,000 - £45,000 depending on experience depending on experience, capability, and level of responsibility Long-term stable product development work Real influence within a growing engineering team Direct involvement in product and technical direction Modern development environment and tooling Sensible use of AI-assisted development tools Opportunities for progression and increased technical responsibility over time Friendly, supportive, and low-bureaucracy working environment Important Note This role is specifically focused on Java desktop software engineering. Applicants focused primarily on web development frameworks are unlikely to be suitable for this position. Please include an up-to-date CV. A formal cover letter is not required, but a short note explaining your relevant Java desktop experience, project examples, or links to previous work is welcome. We review applications as they arrive and aim to contact suitable candidates promptly rather than waiting until the closing date. The role may close once we find the right candidate, so early applications are encouraged. To help us assess applications fairly, please answer the application questions and include relevant links or examples where available. Applications with incomplete information may be harder for us to assess and may not be progressed. You can learn more about our products, videos, and webinars on our website. Direct applicants only - no recruitment agencies. Similar Senior Java Software Engineer Jobs Popular with Other Job Seekers Senior Software Engineer DWP Digital Lee Bank, Birmingham (B1) £57946 - £80664 per annum + plus 28.97% employer pension contributions 6 days ago Lead Software Developer - .Net Hireful Manchester, Greater Manchester £65k - £70k base + benefits 2 weeks ago Lead Full Stack Developer Gerrell & Hard Birmingham (B25) From £70,000 to £80,000 per annum + benefits 2 weeks ago Android Developer CHH Conex Limited Birmingham (B6) Bonus Potential 2 weeks ago Senior Software Engineer Oscar Associates (UK) Limited Nottingham (NG1) £55000 - £60000 per annum 3 weeks ago Web Developer Reed Technology Demming Ind Est, Cheadle (SK8), SK8 2BL £31050 - £37950 per annum 1 month ago Platform Developer Erin Associates Blowers Green, Dudley (DY1), DY1 £45000 - £55000 per annum, Benefits & excellent benefits 7 hours ago NEW Documentum Developer IO Associates Telford (TF1) Negotiable 1 day ago Full Stack Developer Outserve Stafford, Staffordshire £45,000–£55,000 2 weeks ago Senior Software Developer Sanderson Recruitment London £60000 - £65000 per annum + Some flexibility + £15-£20k in bonus 2 weeks ago IT jobs IT jobs in Stafford Software Development jobs Software Development jobs in Stafford Jobs in Stafford Get hired. 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