Principal Software Engineer

In this role you lead a software team delivering secure embedded and application software for mission-critical defence systems. You’ll own the software lifecycle from requirements to deployment, shaping architectural decisions and mentoring engineers. You’ll work with cross-functional teams to ensure high-assurance, test-driven delivery within a security-focused environment and contribute to bids and risk assessments. The position is on-site in Maidenhead and requires eligibility for UK security clearances, including DV. This is an opportunity to influence secure, reliable technology that enables confidential information exchange across strategic settings.

• bonus
• pension
• private medical
• strong holiday allowance
• security allowance

• Lead architecture, design, development, documentation and testing of embedded and/or application software
• Derive software requirements and architecture from system-level designs
• Apply OO design principles to support reuse and test frameworks
• Create and maintain designs/models using UML/SysML and similar tools
• Promote secure development practices, coding standards, static/runtime analysis, CI and automated testing
• Estimate effort and deliver against cost/schedule commitments
• Contribute to improving tools, processes and engineering standards across the software community
• Provide technical input to bids/proposals, including risk assessments
• Mentor engineers and lead reviews/sign-off for major deliverables
• Maintain information security in line with government and programme requirements

• Degree in engineering/science/maths (or equivalent practical experience)
• Strong C and C++ development background
• Experience in embedded product development (bare-metal/RTOS) or embedded Linux application/kernel/driver development
• Solid understanding of modern software lifecycle practices
• Experience with OO design, design patterns and SOLID principles
• Strong testing mindset with automated test approaches and verification

• leadership
• mentoring
• communication
• C/C++ development
• embedded systems (bare-metal/RTOS, Embedded Linux)
• OO design and SOLID