Software engineer

Job Description

We’re looking for an experienced Software Engineer to join our team in Fareham a distributed engineering team working on high‑performance, real‑time systems. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building robust backend software, working close to hardware and sensors, and creating intuitive user interfaces for complex systems.

You’ll be involved across the full software lifecycle, contributing to both core system logic and user‑facing applications, with a strong focus on performance, reliability, and quality.

• Location: Fareham
• On Site: 1x a month
• Clearance: SC
• Experience Level: Mid - Senior

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain backend software components using modern C++
• Build and implement algorithms that combine and process data from multiple sensors
• Develop and optimise real‑time image and data processing pipelines
• Create and integrate user interfaces using Qt and QML, connected to C++ backends
• Ensure high software quality through code reviews, testing, debugging, and performance tuning
• Collaborate closely with systems, embedded, and UI/UX engineers
• Contribute across the full development lifecycle: requirements, architecture, implementation, and documentation

Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Strong commercial experience with C++
• Hands‑on experience with Qt / QML
• Background in real‑time, embedded, or performance‑critical systems
• Ability to work on complex systems that integrate software, hardware, and data
• Comfortable working remotely as part of a collaborative engineering team
• Experience within Defence or Maritime industries

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.
• Experience working with sensor data such as cameras, radar, LiDAR, or similar inputs
• Background in image processing, computer vision, or perception systems
• Exposure to embedded Linux or low‑level system integration
• Understanding of performance optimisation and multi‑threaded applications
• Experience working in regulated, safety‑critical, or high‑reliability environments

Additional Information

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.