<h2>About the role</h2><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><h2>Main Responsibilities</h2><ul><li>Design, develop and maintain store back-office systems using COBOL, Java, REST APIs and scripting within a Linux environment</li><li>Deliver high-quality, well-tested code aligned with engineering standards and change control processes</li><li>Support and enhance system functionality to ensure accuracy, resilience and performance—especially around stock integrity and sales processing</li><li>Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues, providing 3rd line support and identifying long-term fixes</li><li>Deliver system changes, upgrades and new store rollouts with minimal disruption to trading</li><li>Collaborate with product, programme teams, operations and third-party suppliers to deliver effective solutions</li><li>Produce and maintain clear technical documentation covering design, interfaces and support processes</li><li>Ensure systems meet security, audit and compliance requirements</li><li>Continuously improve system performance and maintainability, supporting modernisation while maintaining legacy systems</li><li>Contribute to team learning, peer reviews and continuous improvement of development practices</li></ul><h2>You will need</h2><h3>You will need</h3><ul><li>Proven experience delivering and supporting business-critical software in a production environment</li><li>Hands-on experience with COBOL and Java, or a strong willingness to work across both</li><li>Experience working in a Linux environment, including scripting and batch processing</li><li>Knowledge of transactional or back-office systems (e.g. stock control, sales processing, financial systems), ideally in retail or wholesale</li><li>Strong problem-solving skills, with experience diagnosing and resolving complex live issues</li><li>Experience delivering changes via structured development and release processes</li><li>Familiarity with source control tools like Git and development lifecycle practices</li><li>Strong collaboration and communication skills, working with technical and non-technical stakeholders</li><li>Ability to produce clear technical documentation</li><li>Awareness of security, governance and compliance requirements</li></ul><h2>What's in it for you</h2><p>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:</p><ul><li>A Booker colleague card with 10% off purchases at Booker and double discount events up to three times a year.</li><li>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&amp;F purchases.</li><li>10% off pay monthly &amp; SIM only deals with Tesco Mobile for yourself, along with further great deals through-out the year.</li><li>Up to 30% off car, pet and home insurance at Tesco bank. Terms and conditions apply.</li><li>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.</li><li>50% off health checks at Tesco Pharmacy.</li><li>Exclusive access to discounted RAC breakdown cover rates</li><li>An exclusive deals and discounts website saving you money on everyday purchases including a cycle to work scheme.</li><li>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.</li><li>Retirement savings plan (pension) - save up to 5% and Booker will match your contribution.</li><li>Life Assurance - You are covered for death in service life cover of up to three times annual pay</li><li>Health and Wellbeing support and resources including our 24/7, confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Virtual GP for you and your family.</li><li>A great holiday package</li></ul><p class="flex justify-end my-8"><a class="btn flex items-center bg-orange w-full md:w-1/2 md:p-5 text-left text-xl" href="https://applybookercareers.com/members/?j=31181" target="_blank">Apply now <span class="text-4xl font-light grow text-right">&gt;</span></a></p>