Software Architect

Software Architect: Robotics Defence Technology R&D Newcastle upon Tyne Hybrid Work from Home - Relocation Paid Up to £75,000 basic 10k signing bonus Excellent Benefits package Shape the software foundations of a fast-growing robotics defence technology business. As Software Architect, youll set the architecture and CI/CD framework that an entire R&D engineering team builds on, from robotic payloads to autonomous vehicles. The role Youll report to the Head of R&D in a senior, architecture-level position. This isnt a day-to-day coding job. Youll design and govern how software is built, tested and evidenced across robotics payloads, vehicle automation, computer vision, sensor integration, digital twins and simulation. Your aim is to keep that software scalable, maintainable and defensible to safety-critical standards. This is a real R&D environment, so pragmatism matters. Youll let early prototypes move quickly on a proportionate evidence trail, without demanding full compliance on day one. Youll also make sure the architecture and processes can scale to full qualification when the time comes. What youll do Define and implement end-to-end software architecture and CI/CD pipelines for remote and autonomous systems. Set up unit testing, verification and validation processes, and build the evidence base needed to meet defence safety-critical standards. Bring together control systems, computer vision, sensor fusion, simulation and digital twin platforms into one coherent architecture. Support system integration, commissioning and field trials with global military end users. What youll bring Essential A strong background in designing and implementing software architecture for safety-critical or compliance-driven systems Hands-on C/C++ and Python experience in Linux real-time environments The ability to read electrical schematics and work confidently across the hardware/software boundary Experience implementing CI/CD for safety-critical software A degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent (2:1 or above) Desirable Familiarity with ROS/ROS2 Experience with machine learning, OpenCV or CODESYS/PLC environments A background in automotive safety systems, defence, robotics or autonomous vehicles Whats on offer £70,000 basic salary plus bonus £10,000 signing bonus Annual bonus 8% matched salary sacrifice pension A 35-hour week: on-site Tuesday to Thursday, home working Monday and Friday, with a half-day finish on Fridays Up to £5,000 relocation allowance for the right candidate Company-sponsored security clearance (required for the role) Interested? If youve governed CI/CD and safety-critical software processes in a complex engineering environment, and you want to build something from the ground up, wed like to hear from you. Get in touch in confidence with KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions , specialists in electronics and embedded engineering.