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Software Engineer Exeter, UK


Location: Sparx Head Office in Exeter

Term: Full time, Permanent
Salary: £24-55k dependent on experience (plus generous benefits and relocation package)

Reporting to: Sparx Technical Director

Deadline for applications: 28th February 2013, although applications will be considered on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible

Sparx is revolutionising the way students learn and teachers teach. As a Sparx software engineer, you’ll be an integral part of the team from day one, developing the core framework of the Sparx system and forming the heart of our technical expertise and potential.

About Sparx 

Sparx is revolutionising the way students learn and teachers teach. We’re developing an extraordinary new technology for the classroom that is redefining the limits of what young people can achieve.

Imagine a classroom in which every student receives an individualised learning experience. Imagine a classroom in which a teacher has detailed insight into each child’s strengths and struggles. That classroom is one using Sparx.

We’re looking for people with a deep passion for education and a belief in the power of technology to improve it. Things move fast at Sparx so we need people who assume excellence is a given and who are ambitious, creative and effortlessly knowledgeable. People who want a challenge; people who want to make a difference.

Job description 

As a software engineer at Sparx, you’ll be an integral part of the team from day one, helping to make the key decisions, shaping team objectives and forming the heart of our technical expertise and potential.

You’ll be responsible for developing the core technical framework of the Sparx system, writing tablet native code to run the Sparx resource, and driving its constant evolution. You’ll get to program it how you want, see how it works in a full classroom the next day and then dive straight back in to making it better and trying out the next idea.

Things happen at breakneck speed at Sparx and you’ll have the freedom to do whatever it takes to get from A to B. There are no hierarchies here, and no-one micro-managing how you work. Only one incredible shared ambition to create the world’s most transformational educational.

About you 

We don’t want to specify what you should or shouldn’t be like – we love people who think and do things differently – and anyway, we know you’ll tick all the standard boxes as a given.
But, as a starter, we’re looking for someone who is fluent in programming languages – take your pick (C++, Objective C, Python, Ruby, Java, Klingon machine code…), but also a quick enough learner to be able to teach yourself anything you don’t. You were probably writing code while your friends were watching Blue Peter. Working quickly and collaboratively comes naturally to you and you love working minute-by-minute to solve problems that may take months to completely understand.
We are recruiting for both entry-level, and more experienced candidates.
Our team
We work hard, and we play hard. You’ll be able to see Dartmoor from your office window, and get to the beach in 20 minutes.
Our generous benefits include substantial holiday leave and the chance to join our share scheme and company pension once you’ve completed your probationary period. We also have a range of on-site facilities for all employees to use free of charge. There’s a netball court and a five-a-side football pitch just outside, an on-site gym with classes throughout the day, a running track and pool table, a 2012 Olympic table tennis table and a café serving free, delicious and organic food. On top of this, we’re constantly organising events and activities to support our charities, and to socialise.
We trust our team and want them to work in the way that suits them best; whether that’s flexible hours, working from home or creating brilliance while wearing flip flops. Finally, pick your technical set up and we’ll get it - whatever works for you.
To find out more, and to see the other roles we are recruiting for, please visit our website at www.sparx.co.uk.
Apply now
If this sounds like the role for you, send your CV and covering letter torecruitment@sparx.co.uk explaining how you are that energy we need. The closing date for all applications is 28th February 2013, although applications will be considered on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. Please also let us know where you saw this job advertised.