Principal Software Engineer – Test Environments (GCAP)

As Principal Software Engineer for GCAP test environments, you design and deliver robust test capabilities for a flagship defence programme. You partner with cross‑functional teams and external partners to define, implement, and validate synthetic and airborne test solutions. You will shape test environments from subsystem integration to hardware‑in‑the‑loop, contributing to a national→international programme with significant impact. This role offers a chance to influence critical defence tech development and verification.

• generous leave with up to 12 flexi‑days
• pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
• wellbeing support and networks promoting inclusion and diversity
• 4,000+ online courses via Coursera/LinkedIn Learning
• bonus scheme for eligible employees
• flexible benefits (private healthcare, dental, gym discounts)

• Develop software and test solutions supporting physical and digital test capabilities
• Deliver test environments across levels from subsystem integration to hardware‑in‑the‑loop and simulation
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define Test Environment requirements and support programme objectives
• Contribute to GCAP ISANKE and ICS Test Environments roadmap
• Support delivery of innovative test and compliance solutions across the programme
• Coordinate with Engineering, Procurement, IT, and Manufacturing to enable both synthetic and airborne trials
• Deliver solutions to cost, schedule, and quality targets and support proof‑of‑concept activities

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related discipline
• Experience delivering software solutions within a complex engineering environment
• Software development across the full engineering lifecycle using Agile methodologies
• Developing test environments, test frameworks, or test automation solutions
• Simulation, modelling, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), or systems integration activities
• Collaborating with systems engineers and multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Requirements capture, verification, validation, and acceptance activities
• Digital engineering approaches and hybrid physical/synthetic test environments
• Software architectures, interfaces, and data integration within complex systems
• Engineering governance, quality standards, and regulated environments

• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to work with cross‑functional teams
• Problem‑solving mindset
• Agile software development
• Test environments, test frameworks, and test automation
• Simulation, modelling, HIL, and systems integration