Senior/Principal Software Engineer – Rochester, Kent (Onsite)
Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum, depending on experience.
Role Overview
As a Principal Software Engineer, you will lead the design and delivery of embedded software for complex, safety‑critical systems. Your responsibilities include developing drivers, protocols, and human‑machine interfaces, providing technical direction, and ensuring robust, certifiable solutions throughout the full software lifecycle. You will define system and software architectures, drive integration, verification, and validation, and serve as a mentor and technical leader to fellow engineers. Engaging with customers and stakeholders, you will shape strategy, drive innovation, and deliver high‑impact solutions.
Core Duties
* Lead design and development of embedded software, including drivers, protocols, and human‑machine interfaces with certification artefacts
* Define system and software architectures from requirements using structured design, modelling, and simulation
* Drive integration, verification, and validation within a safety‑critical environment
* Provide technical leadership through mentoring, peer reviews, and best practice
* Deliver reliable estimates, including sizing and reuse
* Engage with customers to resolve technical challenges and shape solutions
* Contribute to engineering processes, design reviews and strategic decisions, ensuring high quality, compliant delivery
Essential Skills
* Degree or equivalent qualification in a scientific/engineering discipline (electronics engineering, software engineering, physics, mathematics)
* Excellent software engineering skills with significant experience in C/C++
* Extensive experience in software architecture design using UML or other model‑based techniques, including UML for software design in CAMEO, EA, Rhapsody or Integrity Modeler
* Experience interfacing software with hardware in a real‑time environment and development experience to DO‑178B/C standards
Team and Opportunities
You will work as part of a team of experienced, passionate and innovative engineers creating world‑leading control and display systems for the world’s most advanced commercial and military fixed‑wing and rotary‑wing aircraft. Exposure to customers and end users offers a unique opportunity for the right candidate.
Eligibility and Security
Many roles at the company are subject to both security and export control restrictions, meaning that nationality, citizenship history, and place of birth may limit eligibility. All applicants must achieve at least the Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Some roles require higher levels of National Security Vetting, typically necessitating 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK, depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow meaningful security vetting checks.
Inclusive Workplace
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. A diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
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