Software Development Engineer (FTC 12 months)

About the role

As a Software Development Engineer, you’ll help design, build and support resilient back-office systems that power sales, stock control and financial accuracy across our Booker estate. You’ll work across a mixed technology landscape—combining legacy systems with modern platforms—to deliver reliable, scalable solutions for high-volume wholesale operations.

This is a 12-month fixed-term opportunity where you’ll play a key role in maintaining system performance, delivering change safely, and supporting business-critical services. You’ll collaborate closely with colleagues across Technology, Operations, and external partners to ensure everything we release is robust, secure and ready for real-world use.

Main Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain store back-office systems using COBOL, Java, REST APIs and scripting within a Linux environment
• Deliver high-quality, well-tested code aligned with engineering standards and change control processes
• Support and enhance system functionality to ensure accuracy, resilience and performance—especially around stock integrity and sales processing
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues, providing 3rd line support and identifying long-term fixes
• Deliver system changes, upgrades and new store rollouts with minimal disruption to trading
• Collaborate with product, programme teams, operations and third-party suppliers to deliver effective solutions
• Produce and maintain clear technical documentation covering design, interfaces and support processes
• Ensure systems meet security, audit and compliance requirements
• Continuously improve system performance and maintainability, supporting modernisation while maintaining legacy systems
• Contribute to team learning, peer reviews and continuous improvement of development practices

You will need

You will need

• Proven experience delivering and supporting business-critical software in a production environment
• Hands-on experience with COBOL and Java, or a strong willingness to work across both
• Experience working in a Linux environment, including scripting and batch processing
• Knowledge of transactional or back-office systems (e.g. stock control, sales processing, financial systems), ideally in retail or wholesale
• Strong problem-solving skills, with experience diagnosing and resolving complex live issues
• Experience delivering changes via structured development and release processes
• Familiarity with source control tools like Git and development lifecycle practices
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, working with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation
• Awareness of security, governance and compliance requirements

What's in it for you

At Booker, along with being a great place to work and giving you an opportunity to get on in your career, we also offer the following fantastic package of benefits:

• A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.
• After 3 months service, a Tesco colleague discount card with 10% increasing to 15% off most purchases at Tesco for a 4 day period after every four-weekly pay day, ie. thirteen times a year. In addition to 10% off at Tesco Cafe and 20% off all F&F purchases.
• 10% off pay monthly & SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.
• Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.
• Free eye test when you spend £50 or more. You can also save 30% when you spend £50 or more on glasses, prescription sunglasses and contact lenses.
• 50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.
• Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates
• An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.
• After 3 months service, you can join our annual Save As You Earn share scheme which allows you to buy Tesco shares in the future at a discount.
• Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.
• Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay
• Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.
• A great holiday package

Apply now >