Tools 4 Trade jobs in Leicester

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in Technical Operations within the National Crime Agency (NCA).

As a Senior Officer, Technical Equipment Interference (TEI) Software Engineering, you will operate within a specialist team delivering direct support to complex, technically demanding operations. Working in a fast-paced environment alongside a range of Technical Officers, you will play a key role in enabling the successful delivery of operational taskings.

This role centres on the hands-on design, testing, and implementation of innovative software technical solutions to address real-world operational challenges. You will analyse data derived from technical capabilities to identify gaps, vulnerabilities, and emerging opportunities, applying your software engineering expertise to develop and deploy effective solutions that enhance operational capability.

As part of the TEI Development Team, you will contribute to shaping and delivering tactical technical responses in support of some of the UK’s most serious and complex operations. Your work will directly influence the effectiveness of operational outcomes by ensuring innovative and resilient technical software solutions are developed and deployed at pace.

Working closely with the Technical Operations TEI Team, you will provide end-to-end support across the lifecycle of operations - from initial requirements gathering and solution design through to deployment, optimisation and ongoing support. You will ensure that deployed capabilities remain effective, adaptable and aligned to evolving operational objectives, while also assessing and refining deployment mechanisms to maximise impact and reliability.

In addition, you will collaborate with Law Enforcement and Intelligence partners to identify emerging threats, trends and capability gaps. By maintaining a strong awareness of technological advancements, you will help ensure the NCA remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously adapting its technical software capabilities to respond to a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

Prior experience in the TEI environment is not required, as the successful candidate will receive full training and support to develop the necessary TEI knowledge and skills.

Due to the nature of the role, the postholder will be required to travel regularly to the Leicester office if based in Gillingham or Bristol, and occasionally to other NCA sites and operational locations. Some locations may not be easily accessible by public transport. Applicants must therefore hold a valid driving licence (UK or international) that permits them to drive a car in the UK, or be willing to obtain one within 12 months of commencing in the role.

Please be aware that candidates who progress beyond the application sift will be required to attend an in-person interview at our head office in Stratford, London.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Technical Delivery & Capability Development - Design, research, and deliver software and hardware solutions compliant with TEI legislation to address operational capability gaps. Provide direct technical support to the Technical Operations TEI team, enabling effective delivery of operational taskings. Ensure solutions remain aligned to operational requirements, adapting to evolving threats and deployment challenges.

Technical Analysis, Research & Innovation - Conduct detailed research into TEI threats, technologies, and methodologies to identify current and emerging capability gaps. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge base, including a structured research library, and produce regular intelligence and capability reports. Evaluate targeted security and TEI equipment, producing comprehensive technical assessments and recommendations.

Operational Support & Knowledge Sharing - Provide expert technical advice and guidance across the organisation to support the effective research, collection, analysis, exploitation and sharing of TEI intelligence. Support the rollout and integration of TEI knowledge across Technical Operations and wider Intelligence functions.

Training & Capability Uplift - Deliver upskilling to TEI Operational Officers through structured training, technical documentation and practical demonstrations. Produce clear, detailed user instructions for both internally developed and commercially acquired equipment and capabilities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration - Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal teams and external partners, including Law Enforcement, intelligence agencies, academia and industry. Represent Technical Operations at national and international forums within the TEI domain, contributing to collaboration and knowledge exchange. Engage with external stakeholders through visits, industry events, and trade shows to identify emerging technologies and opportunities.

Leadership & Staff Development - Manage, coach and develop junior staff, including potential line management responsibilities for junior Officers. Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment, supporting professional and technical development.

Person Specification

Technical Expertise & Software Engineering - Demonstrable experience as a competent software engineer, with the ability to design, develop, and implement software solutions. Strong understanding of IT systems, tools, and technologies relevant to technical processes, with the ability to rapidly adapt to new platforms and methodologies.

Analytical Thinking & Data Exploitation - Proven ability to research, interpret, and analyse data from both open and closed sources to inform and enhance software solutions. Capable of translating complex data into actionable insights to address operational challenges and capability gaps.

Problem Solving & Innovation - Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex, real-world operational problems in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrates sound judgement when working with incomplete or time-sensitive information.

Delivery & Project Management - Ability to deliver end-to-end technical projects, from concept through to implementation and evaluation. Highly organised, with the capability to manage and prioritise multiple workstreams effectively while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.

Communication & Influence - Communicates complex technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences, using a range of written and verbal methods. Able to influence stakeholders and support decision-making through well-articulated recommendations and briefings.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management - Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal teams and external partners, supporting collaborative delivery of objectives. Understands stakeholder needs and balances these with operational priorities to achieve effective outcomes.

Teamwork & Collaboration - Works collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to shared goals and supporting collective success over individual outcomes. Actively contributes to a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.

Time Management & Personal Effectiveness - Effectively manages workload, prioritising competing demands and escalating risks or issues as appropriate. Consistently delivers work to a high standard within agreed timelines in a dynamic operational environment.

Learning & Continuous Development - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies, threats, and best practice within a software development environment. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.

On-call working Postholders may be required to provide 24/7 365 on-call cover. At present this will be 1 week in 4, and will be subject to change as the unit evolves.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £45,326.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person