Job Description

Join us as a Software Development Engineer and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
Join our dynamic development team as a Software Development Engineer, where you'll play a key role in enhancing existing systems and building innovative new solutions. You'll contribute to multiple high-impact projects, while also supporting the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our platforms. Our core technologies include JavaScript/TypeScript (with a focus on the Angular framework), PHP (using Laravel), and MySQL. Additionally, some of our products leverage Silverstripe and Moodle.
What you'll be doing:

• Develop, enhance, and support web applications using Laravel and/or Angular.
• Contribute to key development projects using Scrum or Kanban methodologies; support junior developers as needed.
• Collaborate with managers, developers, testers, and clients to deliver solutions that meet requirements and provide value.
• Maintain clear communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Follow coding standards in a version-controlled environment (Git) and document work in Jira.
• Conduct and respond to code reviews; address issues flagged by tools like SonarQube.
• Write and maintain unit tests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Stay up to date with relevant technologies and best practices.
• Assist with system support requests and take on lead developer responsibilities when required.
• Provide guidance to non-IT colleagues involved in development, including support with GitLab and code optimisation.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience as a developer with either Laravel or Angular; ideally open to learning both and working across the full stack.
• Strong proficiency in PHP (Laravel) or JavaScript/TypeScript (Angular). UI design and wireframing experience is a plus.
• Solid understanding of software design patterns (e.g., MVC).
• Experience with version control tools, preferably Git.
• Exposure to LAMP stack development and Docker.
• Strong grasp of object-oriented programming principles.
• Good working knowledge of relational databases, ideally MySQL or SQL Server.
• Clear and effective communicator, able to explain technical concepts to clients and colleagues.
• Capable of translating client ideas into practical IT solutions.
• Eager to learn and adapt to new technologies and frameworks.

What's in it for you?

• ?25 days' holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks' fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks...and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle - from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope you'll do next:
Choose 'Apply now' to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you'd like to ask before applying, you can contact
We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We're committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you'd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we'll get back to you.
At Fera, we're making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We're a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and we're working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.

Skills Required