UKHO - Python Developer

Tender description

Summary of the work The UKHO has a vision to become the world's leading marine geospatial information agency. This involves a major programme of change and technical innovation an element of which is the Data Science practice that has been established and is now delivering innovative machine learning pipelines. Specialist role Developer Expected Contract Length 6 months Latest start date Monday 27 November 2017 Maximum Day Rate £420 (Inside IR35) Who Speclialist Work With The engineer will primarily work within the Data Science practice who are working on leading edge machine learning pipelines for a variety of internal and external customers. The practice normally work in 6 week bursts so there will be opportunities to work on a number of different problems. All members of the practice can write code but the engineer will be expected to take the lead on refactoring or productionising pipelines. What Specialists Work On The Senior Software Engineer works as part of an Agile Data Science team, hands-on coding in Python 3.x for data science image processing pipelines, desktop applications and application plug-ins. They will deliver high quality software, supported by automated tests and documentation. Skills & Experience • At least three years experience of the following: Python 2.x and 3.x, Core libraries e.g. Numpy, SciPy, Pandas, Linux: Ubuntu and CentOS, Working practice: git, test-driven design, unit testing, bash • Be able to work quickly in an agile environment • Be able to explain ideas in a way that other people understand • Know how to remove complexity from services and applications • Put forward a case for design with a product owner or Head of Data Science • Engage the whole multidisciplinary team with the design process • Engagement with sources of technical knowledge and best practice, applying this to one’s work • Experience of code refactoring • Experience of designing and writing unit tests. • Experience of applying design patterns and other design techniques. Nice to Haves • Machine Learning, Keras, SQL, Geospatial libraries, shapely, Fiona, rasterio, geopandas • Understanding of Keras and image processing algorithms, Scala, Spark and Hadoop Work Location Taunton, Somerset Working Arrangments Working onsite as part of an agile data science team Security Clearance Can start after BPSS checks but should be eligible for SC . We will ask bidders for details of key personnel, if successful the bidder will be asked for confirmation of security clearance or we will initiate clearance process No. of Specialists to Evaluate 3 Cultural Fit Criteria • Work well in a collaborative agile team • Be able to constructively review the work of others Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 60% Cultural fit 15% Price 25% Questions from Suppliers 1. How will the authority evaluate? We will be evaluating by work history and interviews. 2. Is there any flexibility on the day rate? No 3. Can you outline briefly if this role fits into your broader transformation plans? The role is with the Data Science team which is a key element of our transformation plan. Python is an emerging language for the UKHO for data science, analytics and geospatial applications. 4. Will you sponsor SC clearance? Yes 5. Can any other security clearance be considered? Yes, but SC preferred, candidate must pass a Baseline Personnel Security Standard “BPSS”). 6. What is the lead time for feedback once the application is submitted? We will provide feedback as soon as possible but evaluate candidates in one block. 7. Any chances of change in start date as the latest date mentioned is Monday 27 November 2017? Only if no suitable candidate has been identified. 8. Are there any other expenses which will be paid? Not on this occasion 9. What are the exact work locations? UKHO, Admiralty Way, Taunton, Somerset 10. Any specific format(pdf,doc) in which CVs to be sent later? Pdf 11. Is occasional remote working allowed? Occasional yes, the role is based with the team and Taunton and the individual will normally need to be onsite. 12. Is there any travel involved in this role and will the travel expenses be paid ? Travel is very unlikely, but if required expenses will be paid. 13. Would you consider work permit holders (e.g. Tier 2 General Visa) and EU passport holders for this role ? Yes however candidates should be able to meet the security requirements of security check (SC). 14. Does the rate of £420 per day include Consultancy fee? No 15. Is the rate inclusive or exclusive of VAT? Exclusive