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Lead Senior / Lead Software Engineer - Cambridge, UK

Location: Cambridge, UK

Lead Senior / Lead Software Engineer
Location: Cambridge UK

Job Purpose
As a key member of the Engineering department play a major / lead role in the specification, design, implementation, test and review of software systems for new and existing products.

Role (Accountabilities)
� To develop and test software modules to meet the product requirements specified by Product Management under the direction of the Development Manager.
� When appropriate, technically lead development project activities and take responsibility for all technical aspects within the project lifecycle
� To contribute to the development of product innovations and new product specifications in conjunction with the Marketing department and/or research teams
� To work within, and contribute to, systems and procedures to ensure the integrity and robustness of all software deliverables and to identify in advance possible problem areas in a proposed project and provide suitable feedback to the Development Manager
� To contribute to the writing of lifecycle documentation, user level documentation, technical application notes and training material as required by company or development processes
� To provide reliable estimates of task duration, contribute to feasibility/evaluation activities and contribute fully to the peer review process as required by the Development Manager
� To provide reliable, consistent, timely and accurate technical assistance to both first line support staff and development partners on issues relating to the use of nCipher's products
� To keep abreast of technical and market trends in relation to the company's product range and to propose product improvements
� To provide help and/or supervision to other team members under the direction of the Director of Engineering

Person Specification:
Essential skills
� Educated to degree level or equivalent, in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or other relevant discipline.
� A detailed knowledge of programming using multiple programming languages on multiple platforms and environments including UNIX and Windows based operating systems
� A detailed working knowledge of design and implementation of large or significant products using the C, C++, Python and Java programming languages
� Demonstrable industrial experience developing software for large or significant products using the C, C++, Python and Java programming languages
� A good awareness of scripting languages and development tools

� Experience of a number of the following:
o Unix & Windows full lifecycle software development
o Cryptography and computer security techniques
o Internet software application development
o Electronic commerce
o The use of software testing procedures and systems
o Working in a highly skilled and specialized software development environment
o Involvement in developing software for the free software community.

Desirable:
� A good knowledge of the use of cryptography and associated concepts in IT security
� An awareness of Internet technologies, protocols and standards
� An appreciation of relevant Quality (ISO9000 or TickIt) requirements and processes
� The ability to analyse complex technical problems and offer innovative, reasoned and practical solutions to demanding requirements
� Good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and mentor/coach other team members
� The ability to prioritise, manage own workload, be flexible, work under pressure and to demanding deadlines
� The ability to bring together multiple technical aspects of a software development project and lead and oversee the design and implementation activities
� A team player who is able to work in a dynamic and exciting environment
� The ability to quickly integrate and make a significant contribution

Company Information:

Founded in late 1996, nCipher developed the world's first security module specifically designed to protect private personal information as it was transmitted over the internet. The familiar 'padlock' icon in the corner of a web browser window was, for most people, their first exposure to digital encryption and it has rapidly become a vital enabling technology in the growth of e-commerce. Today encryption is being applied ever more widely to protect sensitive data throughout enterprises, both at rest within databases or storage systems, while being processed within software applications, and in transit.
More than ten years on, nCipher continues to meet the challenges of digital data protection.

Corporate Milestones:
1996: nCipher founded in Cambridge, UK, by brothers Alex & Dr. Nicko van Someren with seed venture capital provided by Celtic House Investment Partners
1997: nCipher delivers the industry's first secure cryptographic accelerator, nFast® and opens US headquarters in Boston, Mass.
1998: nCipher develops nForce� Secure SSL Accelerator, which incorporates secure key storage and management capabilities. nFast named hot product by Data Communications.
1999: nCipher launches the nShield� hardware security module (HSM), the first high-performance HSM to receive FIPS 140-1 level 3 validation . nForce awarded editor's choice by Network Computing.
2000: nCipher completes IPO and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:NCH)
� nCipher named as 'company to watch' by the Wall Street Journal
� nCipher unveils KeySafe�, a key management console for enterprise-wide key management . nForce awarded editor's choice by Network Computing for second year running
2001: nCipher announces the CodeSafe� secure application toolkit featuring nCipher's unique SEE technology. nShield awarded top 5-star rating by SC Magazine.
2002: nCipher launches payShield, an HSM designed specifically for the emerging payment processing market
2003: nCipher admitted to FTSE4Good index, FTSE's socially responsible investment index and becomes Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
2004: nCipher wins Microsoft's 'Security Solution of the Year' award and joins Trusted Computing Group
2005: nCipher joins Jericho Forum, launches keyAuthority enterprise key management solution and acquires majority stake in Abridean (US) Inc. to enter identity management market

2006: nCipher celebrates its 10th Anniversary and launches miniHSM the world's first embedded hardware security module
2007: Major New York financial institution selects nCipher keyAuthority for enterprise-wide cryptographic key management. nCipher hardware security modules enter Common Criteria Evaluation. nCipher acquires assets of NeoScale Systems giving access to the storage market

Products and Markets

nCipher helps some of the world's most security-conscious organisations – from industry-leading corporations to government agencies - protect their business by securing critical points of risk throughout their enterprise. From speeding and protecting SSL operations to safeguarding cryptographic keys, nCipher's award-winning products protect cryptographic functions and eliminate the performance and administrative barriers commonly associated with cryptography.

It's an approach that has brought nCipher's products into some of the most secure infrastructures in the world – from the U.S. Department of Defense to Microsoft to Deutsche Bank.

nCipher is listed on the London Stock Exchange as a TechMARK 100 company (LSE:NCH). With offices in Cambridge, UK; Boston, and Tokyo, nCipher serves customers and partners around the world.

See www.ncipher.com for further information

What is it like to work at nCipher?
Are you the person we're looking for?

nCipher employ smart people who are genuinely interested in and committed to their work.

The dress code and working environment are relaxed, although they can also guarantee some exciting moments! They work as a team but are not cliquey. They have a summer barbeque and Christmas lunch all paid for by the company.

nCipher are committed to the development of their staff and their skills, whether it's a visit to a specialist security conference or training in a new development area.

Benefits Package

nCipher offer a generous package which includes a non-contributory pension scheme (6%), private healthcare, discretionary sick pay, 25 days annual paid holiday plus national public holidays and life assurance equal to two times annual salary.

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