Job Description
Senior Backend Developer
Salary £56,312 - £65,697 (dependent on experience)
Hybrid working
Southampton
About Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, providing world-class geospatial data and services that power innovation, support national infrastructure, and help people make better decisions every day. We're passionate about using cutting-edge technology to solve real-world problems-and we're looking for talented people to join our mission.
About the role
As a Senior Backend Developer, you'll take a leading role in designing, building and delivering scalable, high-performance backend systems that power our geospatial data platforms and services. You'll guide technical decision-making, champion engineering best practices, and help shape robust data-driven solutions in the cloud. This is a chance to work with modern Azure technologies, large-scale geospatial datasets, and analytical platforms, while influencing how critical national data services are designed and delivered at Ordnance Survey.
What You Will Be Doing
* Leading the technical delivery of complex backend systems, working closely with architects, delivery managers, and stakeholders
* Designing and implementing scalable, secure, and high-availability services using C# and Azure
* Building and optimising data pipelines and services that leverage OLAP and analytical data platforms
* Working with geospatial datasets and services, ensuring efficient storage, processing, and access
* Coaching, mentoring, and supporting engineers to continually enhance capability across the team
* Operating and improving production systems to ensure robustness, resilience, and reliability
* Sharing best practices and identifying training opportunities to upskill the wider engineering community
* Communicating goals, progress, and technical challenges clearly across teams
* Providing line management support for Engineers and Associate Engineers (as required)
What We Are Looking For
* Proven experience as a senior backend developer with strong expertise in C# / .NET or equivalent language
* Solid experience building cloud-native applications and services on Microsoft Azure
* Hands-on experience with Azure services such as Container Apps, Storage, Azure DevOps, CI/CD, and identity/access management
* Strong experience working with relational and analytical data platforms, including OLAP systems and large-scale data processing
* Experience designing and developing RESTful APIs and distributed systems
* Familiarity with geospatial data concepts, formats, and processing (e.g. spatial databases, GIS tools, or spatial indexing)
* Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and modern engineering practices
* Experience working in agile delivery environments
* A passion for continuous improvement and delivering high-quality, maintainable solutions
The Rewards
We want you to love what you do. That is why our benefits package rewards a job well done.
* Salary £56,312 - £65,697 (dependent on experience)
* Performance related bonus up to 10%
* A competitive pension scheme (OS contributes up to 12.07%)
* 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays on joining, (3 taken over Christmas) increasing by one day per year, to a maximum of 5 years
* Enhanced family leave, including up to 12 weeks paid partner (paternity) leave
* Free subscription to OS Maps
* Access to online learning platforms
* Coaching and Mentoring schemes
* Plus, a suite of excellent additional perks and benefits
Location& Working Pattern
We embrace a hybrid working model at OS, because we believe in flexibility and balance. You'll be based at our fantastic HQ in Southampton, Hampshire, where you'll spend 50% of your working week collaborating face-to-face with colleagues. It's all about combining the best of both worlds connection and autonomy to help you thrive.
Security& Eligibility
OS conducts pre-employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS).
Some of our roles may require additional security vetting. We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.
This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.
Key details
Closing date: 15 June 2026 @23:59pm
Interviews will be via Teams
Inclusion at OS
Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace.
If this role excites you but your experience doesn't match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS.
We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.