SOCOTEC UK & Ireland
Associate Software Developer – AI Focused

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Company Description
Our IT team in Central Services is looking for an enthusiastic Associate Software Developer to join us. This is your chance to be part of a small, friendly team that's committed to innovation and excellence working with bespoke in-house solutions across an array of web, desktop, and mobile applications. Working on implementing LLM integration, and custom agents, and working directly with teams across the business to understand how they operate and to deliver the improvements they need.
About Central Services
Based in Burton-on-Trent, SOCOTEC UK’s Head Office houses our Central Services teams. These teams provide a corporate structure to support the wider business. Central Services is broken down into four main areas: Human Resources, Marketing and Communications, Finance, and IT. Each of these areas is vital to the day-to-day running of SOCOTEC.
What’s in it for you?
As well as a competitive salary we can offer you a wide range of benefits including 25 days holiday with the opportunity to buy more, an electric car scheme (where applicable), employee recognition schemes, family friendly support, employee benefits and discounts app, employee assistance programmes, and enhanced company pension. SOCOTEC UK are proud to be Disability Confident accredited.
Job Description
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
As an Associate Software Developer (AI Focused) in our development team, you will:
- Develop and maintain bespoke solutions, working closely with the Software Development Manager.
- Assist in developing and maintaining software applications using modern development frameworks and tools.
- Contribute to AI agent development, including designing, building, and optimizing intelligent assistants.
- Implement and integrate Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance application functionalities.
- Troubleshoot issues, assist in the configuration and deployment of releases, and provide support to a range of applications.
- Create and deploy custom agents to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
- Build working relationships with business stakeholders, meeting with them to understand their processes, priorities and pain points.
- Carry out gap analysis to identify where current systems and processes do not meet business needs, and propose practical options to close those gaps.
- Implement agreed changes back into the business, supporting testing, rollout, user guidance and adoption.
Qualifications
To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:
- A degree or foundational course in a computing, mathematics, science or other numerate discipline. Exposure to object-oriented programming is expected, whether through your studies, industry experience or personal projects, which are highly valued.
- Proficiency in at least one programming language (C#.net, Java, Python, JavaScript, etc.)
- Experience with web development frameworks (React, Angular, etc.)
- Familiarity with API development and integration.
- Basic understanding of AI/ML concepts and LLM integration.
- Confident communicating directly with non-technical business users, both in writing and in person.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Additional Information
Why SOCOTEC?
Here at SOCOTEC UK, we have over 2,000 colleagues across our divisions delivering world-class services to our customers. We provide an unrivalled range of testing, inspection, and certification services throughout the UK, and we deliver excellence to our customers by recruiting and retaining the very best industry talent.
We offer transversal career pathways as well as linear pathways, and we will support you in attaining a portfolio career in one place. Not to mention the possibility of working locally, nationally, or globally, in the office or remotely. We are committed to your personal and professional development, and you will be supported in every step of your journey with us. #YouGrowWeGrow
Department: HQU-ITC - IT Team
Business Unit: IT
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills