Lead Engineer (Specialist) in CBDC PROGRAMME

Software Engineer - CBDC Directorate

The Project Area

The CBDC Directorate is responsible for analysing the opportunities and challenges presented by the development and design for the Digital Pound. The Directorate's activities include economic analysis, technical design, engagement with the private sector and international counterparts, and running experiments such as the Digital Pound Lab. The Directorate will also play a role in developing the future of the payments ecosystem in the UK.

More information *

The Role

As a member of the Engineering team you will be developing and maintaining the technology experiments we are conducting as part of the Digital Pound Lab and the future payments landscape. You will have the opportunity to build proofs-of-concept and prototypes, start new projects, maintain, extend or improve existing investigations, and explore how to integrate different projects together.

We are looking for people with an open and adaptable mindset, keen to learn new technologies and solve interesting problems. While collaborating with solution architects, economists, and industry partners, the results of our work will inform the advancement of the UK's payments ecosystem.

Minimum Criteria

• Degree level qualification in Computer Science, Software Engineering or a related subject, OR comparable professional software development industry experience.
• 5+ years of experience working as Software Engineer or Programmer.
• Proficiency in at least one mainstream general purpose programming language.

Essential Criteria

• Critical and creative thinking skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and tackle interdisciplinary challenges.
• Ability to quickly adapt and learn new technologies.

Desirable Criteria

Experience in any of the following will be considered a plus:

• Banking, Payments or Fintech sectors.
• APIs, technical standards, financial messaging formats.
• Test- Driven Development (TDD).
• DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Cloud Platforms.
• Mentoring team members and colleagues with less technical experience.
• Cyber-security practices, standards and tools.
• Database systems.
• Containers and Orchestration systems (e.g. Kubernetes).
• Research and academic writing

If you are interested in the role and fit the minimum criteria, consider applying even if you do not meet any of the above-listed points. We recognize that strong candidates might have diverse professional and academic experience, and we encourage you to apply if you believe you can contribute meaningfully to our ongoing work

Important: please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail. Your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed. Please answer using your own thoughts and writing.

Application process For this role, the application process will consist of:

0. A review of application questions (answered using your own thoughts and writing)

1. a coding challenge to complete in your own time

2. a technical interview focused on assessing your programming skills

3. a general interview focused on your skills and experience required for the role and questions relating to our Bank Behaviours

For more information on our Bank Behaviours see:

Important: please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work and educational history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail. Your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not completed.

Our Approach to InclusionThe Bank values diversity, equity and inclusion. We play a key role in maintaining monetary and financial stability, and to do that effectively, we believe we need a workforce that reflects the society we serve. At the Bank of England, we want all colleagues to feel valued and respected, so we're working hard to build an inclusive culture which supports people from all backgrounds and communities to be at their best at work. We celebrate all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. We believe that it's by drawing on different perspectives and experiences that we'll continue to make the best decisions for the public. We welcome applications from individuals who work flexibly, including job shares and part time working patterns. We've also partnered with external organisations to support us in making adjustments for candidates and employees in the recruitment process where they're needed. For most roles where work can be carried out at home, we aim for colleagues to spend half of their time in the office, with a minimum of 40% per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them, their team and stakeholders. Finally, we're proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme . If you wish to apply under this scheme, you should check the box in the 'Candidate Personal Information' under the 'Disability Confident Scheme' section of the application. Salary and Benefits InformationWe encourage flexible working, part time working and job share arrangements. Part time salary and benefits will be on a pro-rated basis as appropriate. London salary £80,320-£90,360 Leeds £72,320-£81,360 In addition, we also offer a comprehensive benefits package as detailed below:

• Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
• A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
• An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
• 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting ProcessEmployment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (and typically can take between 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and the passing of additional Bank security checks in accordance with the Bank policy. Further information regarding the vetting and security clearance requirements for the role will be provided to the successful applicant, and information about how the Bank processes personal data for these purposes, is set out in the Bank's Privacy Notice .

The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.

The Application Process Important: Please ensure that you complete the 'work history' section and answer ALL the application questions fully. All candidate applications are anonymised to ensure that our hiring managers will not be able to see your personal information, including your CV, when reviewing your application details at the screening stage. It's therefore really important that you fill out the work history and application form questions, as your answers will form a critical part of the initial selection process. The assessment process will comprise of two interview stages. This role closes on 24 February 2026 Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.