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. You will be responsible for 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 Booker is the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler. We are privileged to serve independent retailers, caterers and small businesses, from locations across the country. We operate over 190 cash and carry branches, eight distribution centres, five Best Food Logistics sites, as well as six support centre locations across the UK. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Booker means that whoever you are and whatever your background, we always want you to feel represented and that you can be yourself at work. In short, we're a place where Everyone's Welcome. We know life looks a little different for each of us. That's why at Booker and Best, we

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