Software Technical Lead

Our client, a leading organisation in the defence and security sector, is seeking a hands-on Software Technical Lead to join its Embedded Software Department. This permanent role supports the development of innovative software for a next-generation naval system, covering the full software lifecycle from requirements and architecture through to implementation, integration and deployment.

This is a technically focused position involving software design, development and technical direction rather than conventional line management. The role offers an opportunity to take on greater technical responsibility while progressing through a specialist engineering pathway.

What you’ll be doing (hands‑on / technical)

• Technical ownership of embedded software design and delivery (C/C++)
• Defining and reviewing software architecture, design approaches and implementation strategy
• Ensuring design meets safety, security, reliability requirements before full implementation
• Hands‑on development, review, and technical problem‑solving across the lifecycle
• Working with stakeholders and other engineering disciplines to steer technical decisions
• Identifying and communicating technical risk and software debt
• Producing and reviewing technical documentation and design artefacts
• Promoting engineering best practice: coding standards, QA discipline, and pragmatic process improvements
• Using delivery metrics/data to recommend improvements where appropriate

Technical skills / experience needed:

Essential

• Strong embedded software development experience in C / C++
• Working knowledge of RTOS concepts/environments
• Ability to develop/test against requirements and interface documentation (e.g., ICDs)
• Strong design/architecture thinking and the confidence to challenge/shape solutions

Desirable:

• FreeRTOS
• Low‑level / driver development
• ARM architecture and/or ARM Assembler
• Model‑driven development tools (e.g., Rhapsody UML)
• IBM Engineering Workflow Management / Rational Team Concert (or similar)