Junior Software Engineer

About The Company Oak National Academy Ltd is a pioneering not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming education through innovative digital solutions. Operating entirely remotely, Oak collaborates with teachers, education experts, and technologists to develop high-quality, sequenced curriculum and lesson resources across all subjects and age groups. Recognized for its commitment to flexibility, autonomy, and impact, Oak strives to provide accessible, engaging, and effective learning experiences for pupils across the UK. The organization’s culture has been independently acknowledged through various accolades, including a high Flexa verified score of 93%, placement in Escape the City’s Top 1% Employers, and an Investors in People Gold accreditation, reflecting its dedication to employee development, well-being, and organizational excellence. About The Role We are seeking a Junior Software Engineer with experience in React to join our dynamic Product and Engineering team. This role is pivotal in helping us build beautifully simple, high-impact digital products that support teachers and improve pupil outcomes nationwide. As part of our team, you will work on our user-facing web applications utilizing modern technologies such as React, Typescript, Next.js, GraphQL, and SQL. Your contributions will directly influence the accessibility, usability, and performance of our educational platforms, ensuring they are secure, scalable, and compliant with Government Digital Service standards. You will work within cross-functional product squads comprising designers, researchers, and education specialists, collaborating closely to release new features and enhancements regularly. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills, contribute to meaningful projects, and be part of an organization committed to educational equity and innovation. The position is fully remote, providing flexibility to work from anywhere within the UK, with an emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth. Qualifications The ideal candidate will have proven experience in developing web-based applications using modern JavaScript libraries and tools, either professionally or through collaborative projects. A strong problem-solving mindset, particularly in the context of digital product development, is essential. You should possess a genuine desire to create beautiful, user-friendly digital products, with a keen understanding of accessibility considerations in all their forms. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are vital, as you will be working closely with diverse teams across the organization. Comfort working in fast-paced environments and managing multiple digital systems, including proprietary tools, is expected. You should be self-motivated, proactive in seeking ways to improve team processes, and adept at building relationships in a remote setting. A foundational understanding of web development principles, experience with React, Typescript, Next.js, GraphQL, and SQL, along with a proactive attitude towards learning, will set you up for success in this role. Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain high-performance educational web applications that are secure, scalable, and highly available, adhering to Government Digital Service standards.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our digital products by implementing new features, fixing bugs, and optimizing performance.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in software engineering.
• Collaborate effectively within cross-functional product squads, including designers, researchers, and education experts, to deliver impactful solutions.
• Support organizational goals by participating in planning sessions, code reviews, and knowledge sharing activities.
• Assist in maintaining documentation, testing, and deployment processes to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Contribute to fostering an inclusive and collaborative team environment that values diversity, innovation, and continuous learning.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave, with an additional day for each year of service, up to 28 days.
• Additional Oak closure days over the Christmas and New Year period.
• 11% employer pension contribution, with no minimum employee contribution required.
• A 36-hour workweek, offering half-days on Fridays or alternate Fridays off to promote work-life balance.
• Fully remote working arrangements, with support for home office setup and optional coworking spaces.
• Twice-yearly in-person offsites designed to foster team collaboration, connection, and fun activities.
• A culture that emphasizes flexibility, autonomy, and trust, supporting employees to thrive professionally and personally.

Equal Opportunity We believe that diverse teams build better products and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in the technology and education sectors. Our recruitment process utilizes the Applied platform to help reduce bias and ensure fairness. We are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination based on gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race. We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.