Developer

Role

You will report directly to the Lead Developer and will form a crucial part of ApplianSys’ in-house product development team.  Broadly, the role entails:

• Produce software that will drive new ApplianSys products or upgrades
• Create web interfaces and other similar management systems
• Work with the Lead Developer to design, integrate, test and package new products
• Produce software documentation to a professional standard
• Prototype new product functionality prior to committed development
• Write high-level and detailed specifications for new products

Key Tasks

During the first 12 months, specific tasks will include:

• Learn basic architecture of all existing products including DNS/DHCP/IPAM, Web Cache/Filtering, VOIP acceleration, Instant Messaging, and Vulnerability Assessment.
• Work with the Lead Developer and other team members on upgrades to existing products and to develop the next new ApplianSys products
• Thoroughly document all new code and procedures
• Maintain existing code, produce product updates, upgrade software when appropriate
• Test new product functionality, providing software quality assurance

Expected Profile

The ideal candidate will be an IT graduate looking for a first or second job working with networking and internet technologies.

Technical Skills:

• Fluency with Linux essential, other Unix experience would be a bonus
• Sound working knowledge of Python is essential to the role.  Candidates without it would need to be able to demonstrate they have the generic skills to learn Python quickly.
• Solid competency with C
• Web site development – Perl, Java, PHP, Javascript all useful
• Scripting tools such as Perl, Bash, etc. Debugging and fault diagnosis skills are invaluable
• Experienced with networking and internet infrastructure technologies and protocols (eg open source applications - Apache, BIND, Samba, Jabber, MTAs, etc)
• Considerable practical experience working with PC hardware and operating systems, programming experience in internet technologies.
• Should have a good grasp of basic HCI, especially regarding user interface design
• Hardware – experienced in working with x86 architecture hardware.
• Examples of previous software projects undertaken would be appreciated.

Personal Profile:

• A good degree in computer science or similar, including specific experience of network and internet technologies and evidence of competence in these
• Keen interest in IT, evidenced by experience beyond simply study. Used to learning new technologies rapidly under own guidance.
• Thorough, organised, comfortable in a multi-tasking environment.  Work to tight deadlines.
• Practical experience of general business and IT disciplines, processes and methodologies for effective working
• Self-starter: able to interpret outlined tasks and develop detailed approach to implementation on own initiative.  Has good judgement on when to seek advice or approval at the appropriate times prior to implementation.
• Comfortable working in a small development team in a entrepreneurial company, initially

Salary

Competitive salary, performance culture - regular salary review and bonuses

Location

Coventry

Start

ASAP

How to Apply

If you believe that you have got what it takes, then contact us on +44 (0) 8454 50 51 52 or email recruitment@appliansys.com.

Background

ApplianSys is a UK-based venture capital-backed company which designs and markets server appliances – servers featuring a tailored combination of hardware and network application software to carry out one specific task in a network. 

ApplianSys takes existing application software – either open source or from commercial partners – and embeds it in its appliance “platform”.  This includes a number of software elements ApplianSys supplies to create a finished plug-and-play, security-hardened appliance designed for ease of use. These elements include additional application functionality, web GUI, on-box utilities (standard components), API to interface between ApplianSys and third-party software, and so on.

ApplianSys continually adds new products to its portfolio.  The aim is to offer a wide range of network solutions in appliance form.  The range currently includes DNS/DHCP, web cache/filtering, security vulnerability assessment, instant messaging and multi-function appliances. 

ApplianSys is a fast-growing company. Sales of over £3m have already been achieved in 30 countries, with many sales in Europe, USA, Middle East and Africa.  It has an impressive list of blue-chip customers – eg NASA, IBM, Siemens, Warner Bros, BT, Australian Government, EDS – and thousands of devices installed in UK schools.  With international sales expanding rapidly, revenues in 2008 will be up by 200% on 2007.

ApplianSys has its headquarters in London, with its main technical facility at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Business Innovation Centre in Coventry.  This recruit will be based there.

Initially, ApplianSys relied on strategic partners to carry out its software development. With its latest round of venture capital at the start of 2007, it has built an in-house software engineering team.  ApplianSys has drawn on industry-leading advice to implement best practice approaches suited to appliance engineering.  These include agile development methodologies, paired programming and test-driven programming.

With funds available from profitable growth and further venture capital investors, ApplianSys is now looking to scale its engineering function rapidly.  This will allow it to accelerate development of a long list of enhancements to existing products and new products which are in the pipeline.

Hence there are several positions for Developers available to work alongside existing Senior Developers.  These positions offer a varied and challenging workload with significant responsibility.  Developers can quickly and directly see the impact their efforts have increasing the competitiveness of ApplianSys products and increasing sales.  As part of a small company, they will work closely with customer-facing staff and share the buzz of a winning rapidly-growing team.

ApplianSys is Investors In People accredited and aims to be a best practice company.