Head of Software

In this role you own the entire software function for a long-established Cambridge hardware business, spanning embedded Linux, application software, and build/CI systems. You’ll lead cross-site teams and drive a platform-driven strategy to accelerate product delivery while preserving high reliability. You’ll challenge existing practices, align software with product and hardware roadmaps, and shape how software and teams scale in a mission-critical, employee-owned environment. This is a hands-off yet technically involved leadership role with meaningful impact.

• 100,000 to 120,000 + discretionary bonus
• 25 days’ holiday
• pension
• private healthcare (optional)
• cycle to work scheme
• on-site parking

• Set software strategy aligned with product and hardware roadmaps
• Lead and develop managers, leads, and engineers across UK and offshore
• Provide technical governance for embedded, application, build infra, and CI/CD
• Review architecture, design, and code; redirect work when needed
• Represent software in cross-functional discussions with hardware, firmware, product, operations, and exec team
• Hire and develop engineers and leaders to strengthen the software function

• Strong background in embedded and hardware-adjacent software
• Track record of building and leading high-performing teams across sites
• Evidence of improving delivery speed, predictability, and quality at scale
• Sufficient technical depth to credibly challenge senior engineers
• Emotional intelligence to drive change without losing team engagement

• emotional intelligence
• cross-site leadership
• strategic thinking
• Embedded Linux on Xilinx and Intel SoCs
• C and C++ (with growing Rust and Go)
• Cross-compiled, multi-product build systems